"Absalom and Achitophel" : Critical Summary and thought development.

King David (Charles ii)

King David of Israel (England) was a successful monarch though
fond of women. He had a number of mistresses who bore him a large
number of illegitimate children. However, his favourite illegitimate
child was Absalom (Duke of Monmouth). He was a charming young man, very popular among the people. He was a great soldier, who had distinguished himself on foreign battlefields. The King pampered his
son and did not mind his weaknesses.

The fickle-minded Jews (Englishmen)

The Jews were a strong and inconstant people. They were not happy with King David. They demanded more rights and privileges. They felt that since they had brought David to the throne, they had the right to expel him. But the majority of the people loved peace and did not like civil war. David was mild and gentle towards his subjects. Even so, the rebels made a plot against him which was called the Popish Plot.

The Popish Plot

The Jebusites (Catholies) suffered from several handicaps. They
were deprived of their lands and their taxes were doubled. The situation
became intolerable for them. They even tried to convert the
uncommitted English people to the Roman Catholic faith. It is said that
the Catholics made a plot to blow up the Parliament and to kill the King
and important politicians. This was called the Popish Plot; but it was
denied by the Catholics .
However, Corah (Titus Oates) and his friends effirmed on oath that the plot did exist though it was not implemented.

However, as a result of the popish plot, the people turned against the

government.

Achitophel (The Earl of Shaftesbury)

The most important leader of the rebels against the King was
Achitophel. He was a crooked intriguer fond of danger. As a politician, he
was cunning and corrupt though as a judge he was efficient and honest. He exploited the Popish Plot for fomenting a revolt against the King. He became the champion of the people's rights and a great enemy of the King.

Achitophel's first speech

Achitophel wanted a good leader to lead the people against the
King. He found in Absalom (Duke of Monmouth) a good tool for
working out his designs. Achitophel felt that since Absalom was an
illegitimate child, he could fire his ambition and make him try for the
succession to the throne. In order to win him over, he called him and
persuaded him to join the revolt. In his speech, he gave a number of
arguments to win over Absalom. Firstly, Absalom was very popular
with the people and they would acclaim him as their Saviour.

Secondly, the opportunity provided by the unpopularity of the King should be taken. Absalom might eventually get the throne.

Thirdly, he should not be afraid of the King because he is old and powerless.

Moreover, if he became the champion of the public, all people would join him in his fight against the King. Moreover, Absalom had royal blood and, as such, he was the fittest person to succeed the King.

Absalom's reaction

Absalom was impressed by the arguments of Achitophel. But still,
he could not make up his mind.

Firstly, he did not want to fight against his father who was mild and gentle.

Secondly, his father loved him too
much and he did not like to abuse his goodness. The King's brother
James (Duke of York), who had been nominated by the King as his
successor, was a capable and fair-minded person. Though Absalom
wanted to be the king, he thought that on account of his illegitimacy he
could not obtain the throne.

Achitophel's second speech

Achitophel noted the hesitation in Absalom and pressed his
arguments further in order to turn the scales in his favour. He told
Absalom that the King's mildness was a kind of weakness. The people
wanted to be free from the weakling. Even the Parliament did not give
him the funds he wanted. Further, his friends were not reliable and
would leave him in the lurch. Moreover, James (Duke of York) was
disliked by the people because he was a Roman Catholic. The people
, have every right to take away the authority of the King. Similarly, the
law of succession could be changed for public welfare. Achitophe
thonght that the King did not love Absalom; otherwise, he would have
nominated him as his successor. Now he could raise the banner of
revolt, and inform the people that the King's life was in danger and he
wanted to free him from the Roman Catholics. Perhaps, the King would
welcome this revolt as he was afraid of his own brother James.

Absalom was won over by Achitophel. Achitophel promised to
unite all the people who were against the King. They would support
Absalom in his revolt against the King.

Zimri (Duke of Buckingham)

One member of the anti-royalist group was Zimri (Duke of
Buckingham). He was a great political intriguer and totally faithless and fickle-minded. When he was turned away from the court, he tried to form parties against the King, but could not succeed. Later, he received
an opportunity to revolt against the King.

Shimei (Sligsby Bethel, the Sheriff of London)

Shimei was totally anti-royalist. He was extremely miserly and
starved his servants. He amassed a lot of money by fraud and deceit. He
took no action against the King's enemies in his capacity as a Sheriff.
Wicked people had a glorious time as long as he was in office.

Corah (Titus Oates)

The wickedest of all was Corah, the son of a weaver. He invented
the Popish Plot and affirmed it on oath. He named his enemies as the
conspirators and abettors in the Popish Plot. It is said that he got the
magistrate murdered because he did not believe him.

Absalom's propaganda tour

Absalom left the court in order to make preparation for the revolt
against the King. He toured the entire country in order to win supporters. He told the people that he sympathized with their difficulties
but could not help them because he did not want to revolt against his
father. He could only offer his tears to them if they could be useful as a
consolation. The people assured him of support and regarded him as
heir Saviour. The tour, arranged by Achitophel and Absalom, was able
e assess their strength before openly declaring against the King.

Anti-royalist view

The people of Israel (England) were misguided by the plausible
arguments of the anti-royalist group. The argument used by them was
that the power rests with the people and that the people are sovereign.
The kings are only trustees to use the power for the public good. If the
power is abused, the people have a right to take over. The common people did not realise that, once a power is given to the king by their
forefathers, the descendants cannot withdraw that power. Mankind
suffers on account of the sin of Adam. Therefore, the people must suffer for the actions of their forefathers who gave powers to the king. This contract cannot be changed at the people's will. Besides this, how can the crowd judge whether the actions of the king are good or bad. The fickle-minded crowd is likely to change its views. If people claim the right to revolt and expel the king, no civilized life is possible. It is much better to suffer under a bad king than to engage in a civil war. However,
the Israelites (Englishmen) were misguided by Achitophel, with the
result that they gave him full support.

The royalist group

So popular was the revolt that King David was left only with a few
friends. The most important of his supporters was Barzillai (Duke of
Ormond). He was a respectable old man who had stood beside the King
through thick and thin. He had even gone to exile with the King. He was
a patron of warriors and poets. His son Duke of Ossory, died in the
prime of his life. The boy was a great warrior and served his country
faithfully. The next supporter of the King was Zadoch the Archbishop of
Canterbury, a modest and humble man. Next in order stood Sagan of
Jerusalem (the Bishop of London), who was known for his kindness and
hospitality. Another supporter was John Dolben, Dean of Westminster
who inculcated in the schoolboys, a sense of loyalty and discipline.
Besides these, there were many other loyal peers who stood by the King in his hour of difficulty. The supporters of King David (Charles II)
advised him that he should be strong and take a stand against the rebels
If he showed any weakness, the matters will go out of hand.

Speech of King David (Charles ii)

David felt happy at the support of his group and he spoke with
firmness. He told the people that so far he had treated his subjects as a
father would treat his children. But his mildness had been misinterpreted
as weakness. He knew his rights. The Parliament could not by-pass him in choosing a successor. He could not agree to the demand of the
removal of his friends from office. He would now rule as a king. The
people wanted law and now he would deal with them according to law. The subjects had to obey him. His success against the rebels was certain because the enthusiasm of the mob was exhausted soon. He would meet the rebels according to his own convenience and crush them. God listened to the speech of David and blessed him. Law and order was restored in the country and the King's firm rule established.