Belinda’s Dressing Table – Alexander Pope

This selection of this poem 'Belinda's Dressing Table' from ‘The Rape of the Lock’ is very representative of the mock-epic genre. It describes the dressing table of Belinda and how she dressed up by the nymphs and sylphs.

The uncovering of the dressing table reveals silver vases containing cosmetics and jewellery arranged in a particular way, particular to fashionable ladies, described here as ‘mystic order laid”. A Nymph dressed in white and with her head uncovered, first offers prayers intensely to the “cosmetic powers”. She then looks reverentially at the heavenly reflection of Belinda that appears in the mirror and offers respects. The Nymph is inferior to Belinda as she is only a priestess to Belinda, the heavenly figure. She then stands by the dressing table, which is equated with alter, the place of worship, and begins “the sacred rites of Pride” with all fear and respect. The making-up of Belinda is elevated here to the level of sacred rites, but ridiculed as those of Pride. Caskets containing innumerable precious objects like jewels, perfumes etc., offerings from several parts of the world, are opened. The Nymph picks their contents with scrupulous care and decorates Belinda with sparkling things. The poet now goes on to mention the contents of different caskets laid on the table. One casket contains glittering gems from India; another has the perfumes brought from Arabia.  Combs made of tortoise shell and ivory, presented here as transformations of tortoise and elephant, are seen lying together on the table. The combs made of tortoise shell are speckled or spotted while those of ivory are white in colour. Several kinds of pins are arranged in rows, Puffs, patches, powders, bible, and love letters are also there. Now Belinda has put on all beautifying things, which are likened to arms of a warrior in an epic and her charm increases as beautifying process progress. In addition, she improves her smiles, ‘awakens every grace’ and displays all the wonderful attractive features of her face. Gradually, even her blushing improves and the brightness in her eyes increases. The poet introduces the machinery of spirits with the description of sylphs getting busy in assisting Belinda’s dressing-up. Some of them divide her hair into braids and set them properly, while some others fold the sleeve of her dress, and some plait her gown, Betty, the servant maid of Belinda is given credit for the make-up even though she does not deserve it, as the whole beautification is done by the Nymph and the Sylphs.

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