Crafting of Absalom and Achitophel

'Absalom and Achitophel'is a celebrated satirical poem byJohn Dryden, written inheroic coupletsand first published in 1681. The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion ofAbsalomagainstKing David. In this context it is anallegoryused to represent a story contemporary to Dryden, concerningKing Charles IIand theExclusion Crisis(1679-1681). The poem also references thePopish Plot(1678) and theMonmouth Rebellion(1685). This book provides a comprehensive critique of the poem, John Dryden, and the times in which the poem was written.