How we cite our quotes: (Canto.Line)
Quote #1
Say what strange Motive, Goddess! cou'd compel
A well-bred Lord t'assault a gentle Belle?
Oh say what stranger Cause, yet unexplor'd,
Cou'd make a gentle Belle reject a Lord?
In Tasks so bold, can Little Men engage,
and in soft Bosoms dwells such Mighty Rage? (I.7–12)
The theme starts here at the very beginning of the poem, where Pope is making an invocation to the Muse to help him write it in true, mock epic fashion. Looks like men and women swap places in this quote: first, the lord does the assaulting, but in the second, the belle is the aggressor. What kind of equality is this?
Quote #2
Th' Adventrous Baron the bright Locks admir'd,
He saw, he wish'd, and to the Prize aspir'd:
Resolv'd to win, he meditates the way,
By Force to ravish, or by Fraud betray;
For when Success a Lover's Toil attends,
Few ask, if Fraud or Force attain'd his Ends. (II.29–34)
Belinda is all dolled up and ready for the party at Hampton Court. What we find out here is that, while she's been at her makeup, the Baron has been scheming to steal one of her locks. No honor whatsoever in this Baron: looks like he will do whatever it takes to fulfill his desires. It's just kind of pathetic (and creepy) that what he does desire is a piece of hair.
Quote #3
e're Phoebus rose, he had implor'd
Propitious Heav'n, and ev'ry Pow'r ador'd,
But chiefly Love — to Love an Altar built,
Of twelve vast French Romances, neatly gilt.
There lay three Garters, half a Pair of Gloves;
And all the Trophies of his former Loves.
With tender Billet-doux he lights the Pyre,
And breathes three am'rous Sighs to raise the Fire.
Then prostrate falls, and begs with ardent Eyes
Soon to obtain, and long possess the Prize: (II.35–44)
We're still getting a description of the Baron's plots and schemes to steal the lock. These lines describe the mock-altar to Love he sets up as he prays for help in his plan. "Love" here doesn't seem to mean feeling or emotion or even action at all. It's just—creepy mementoes. That the Baron worships first, then burns anyway.