John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester (1647-1680), remains a controversial figure in English literature, celebrated for his biting satire and notorious for his rakish lifestyle. His brief life, a whirlwind of courtly intrigue, military exploits, duels, and debauchery, continues to fascinate and repel in equal measure. This article explores the complexities of Rochester’s poetry, examining his satirical targets, his unique style, and the reasons behind his enduring notoriety.
Contents
John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester, in a portrait attributed to Jacob Huysmans.
Rochester’s Satirical Landscape
Rochester’s satirical pen spared no one, targeting fops, court ladies, fellow poets, even King Charles II himself. His attacks were relentless, characterized by a brutal honesty and a complete disregard for social niceties. One prime example is “My Lord All-Pride,” a scathing assault on John Sheffield, Earl of Mulgrave, which drips with contempt:
Bursting with Pride, the loath’d Impostume swells,
Prick him, he sheds his Venom strait, and smells…
He similarly eviscerates a rival poet in “On Poet Ninny”:
Crusht by that just contempt his Follys bring
On his craz’d Head, the Vermin fain wou’d sting…
Perhaps his most famous satire is “A Satyr against Mankind,” a cynical masterpiece exploring the flaws of human reason:
Were I (who to my cost already am
One of those strange prodigious Creatures, Man)
A Spirit free, to choose for my own share,
What case of Flesh, and Blood, I pleas’d to weare,
I’d be a Dog, a Monkey, or a Bear…
Beyond Satire: Exploring Philosophical and Sexual Themes
Rochester’s work extends beyond mere satire, delving into philosophical and existential questions. “Upon Nothing” is a curious exploration of nothingness and the absurdity of existence:
Nothing! thou Elder Brother ev’n to Shade,
Thou hadst a Being ere the World was made…
A detail from William Hogarth’s “The Rake’s Progress”, offering a glimpse into the social scene of Restoration England.
His poems addressing women are equally striking, marked by an unflinching honesty about desire and infidelity. “To a Lady, in a Letter” captures the libertine spirit of the Restoration era:
Such perfect Bliss, fair Cloris, we
In our Enjoyment prove…
The Notorious “Rambles” and “Enjoyment”
Two of Rochester’s most controversial poems, “A Ramble in St. James’s Park” and “The Imperfect Enjoyment,” have earned him lasting notoriety for their explicit sexual content. “A Ramble…” offers a graphic depiction of prostitution and debauchery in a London park:
Much wine had pass’d, with grave discourse
Of who Fucks who, and who does worse…
“The Imperfect Enjoyment,” meanwhile, recounts a humiliating episode of premature ejaculation with self-deprecating humor:
Naked she lay, claspt in my longing Arms…
Rochester’s Legacy: A Restorative from the Restoration?
Rochester’s poetry, while often shocking to modern sensibilities, provides a valuable window into the cultural landscape of Restoration England. His work reflects the era’s reaction against Puritanical repression, embracing a spirit of liberation and open expression.
A panoramic view of London and Westminster during the Restoration period, engraved by Wenceslaus Hollar.
Why does Rochester continue to provoke such strong reactions? Perhaps his unapologetic embrace of pleasure and his disdain for hypocrisy challenge the prevailing moral sensibilities of our time. Reading Rochester is an act of confronting uncomfortable truths about human nature and the complexities of desire. His poetry, a product of a tumultuous era, remains a potent and provocative force in English literature.
Conclusion
John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a gifted poet, a fearless soldier, and a notorious libertine. His poetry, though often controversial, offers a powerful and unflinching look at the human condition. His legacy as a Restoration rebel continues to resonate, challenging readers to confront the darker and more complex aspects of human nature.