An Essay on Man

Description

Alexander Pope initially wrote An Essay on Man anonymously in 1733-1734, and only admitted being its author in 1735. Written in heroic couplets, the poem essentially consists of four epistles that talk about the design of man, the nature of human logic, reasoning, creativity and talent, as well as the implications of politics, morals and ethics, and how they would fit into the Divine plan for man’s movement through life.

Pope received widespread praise throughout Europe upon publishing the novel, well-known philosophers and personalities of the time such as Rousseau, Voltaire and Kant initially claiming that the poem is among the most well-written and insightful philosophical works of the time. Although some have renounced their praise, claiming that Pope’s outlook on God’s plan for humanity is simply too optimistic and not based on enough facts or evidence, the poem still remained one of the most widely recognized works in history that managed to at least partly “justify the works of God to man.”

An Essay on Man is now seen as a timeless piece of literary art that has withstood the test of the past two centuries through its genuine clarity and logical approach to the presentation of humanity’s journey towards higher understanding and discovery.

The poem, as in the case of most of Alexander Pope’s works, paints a highly compelling image, blending meaning and harmonious writing in a manner that has rarely been conceived of before his time. Pope also manages to add even more power to An Essay on Man by including names and events from history to enhance the clarity and delivery of the message he offers.

Even modern thinkers have concluded that the philosophical contents of Pope’s work is quite remarkable, challenging beliefs and commonly accepted ideas that are still considered to be natural or logical today, and continuing to inspire the deepest philosophical debates on the nature of God and his relationship with humankind.
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