ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL John Dryden
1681 John Dryden's publication of Absalom and Achitophel had a specific political motivation. He wrote the poem during the threat of revolution in England, connected to the so-called Popish plot and the move to exclude the reigning King Charles II's Catholic brother, James, duke of York, from his right to follow the Protestant Charles to the throne. The protesting faction supported instead Charles's bastard son, James, duke of Monmouth, whom Charles recognized as his son but not his heir. Born...