8.1. Summary of the Hudibras

Satire as a form of literature is occupying an important position in English literature. Throughout all the phases of literary creativity, English literature can rightly boast of a vast treasury of satirical works. However, critics are of the opinion that during the period of two centuries, namely the 17^th and 18^th, satirical literature reached its height and as such this period is often said to be the ‘golden age’ of satire in English. A brief note on some prominent satirical works of English literature is presented below—

The Hudibras is a popular satirical poem composed by Samuel Butler. Butler is a poet cum satirist. Butler first comes into view from obscurity at the age of fifty with the publication of Hudibras. The poem delighted Charles II and Butler was selected for a royal pension. His name is taken into account mainly for his long satirical poem Hudibras. He is a notable figure in the poetic development of his time. He is a contemporary of Dryden. Butler was born at Strensham in 1612 and educated at Worcester Cathedral School. Though he was popular with his so many influential friends, he died in poverty in 1680. The first part of the poem was published in 1663, the second in 1664 and the third in 1678.

The name Hudibras comes from the Faerie Queen. Hudibras tells the story of Sir Hudibras, who is a Puritan knight who undertakes many ludicrous adventures with Ralpho, his independent squire. In Butler’s poem, he is a blusterous, ignorant, repulsive looking Presbyterian knight. The poem is a sharp satire on the Puritans. In the poem, he has satirized most of the prominent persons of his time.