In Pope's 'An Essay on Man', how does the speaker cast humankind's relationship to both God and His creation? Answer in paragraph form and support your answer with examples from the text. Use lines 1-18.
In Pope's 'An Essay on Man', the speaker casts humankind's relationship to both God and His creation as one of great complexity and interdependence. The speaker suggests that humans are situated between two extremes—the lowliness of being "born to die" and the grandeur of "the darling of the skies" (line 4). This portrayal conveys a sense of paradox, highlighting the dual nature of human existence. The speaker also emphasizes the idea that humans are a part of God's creation, and therefore have a rightful place in the natural order of things. This is evident when the speaker states, "Look round our world; behold the chain of love / Combining all below and all above" (lines 13-14). Here, the concept of a "chain of love" implies that all creatures, including humans, are interconnected and reliant on one another. The speaker further asserts humankind's significance and connection to both God and His creation by stating, "The proper study of Mankind is Man" (line 17). This line suggests that understanding and studying ourselves is not only beneficial on an individual level but also integral to understanding our place in the grand scheme of things. Overall, the speaker in 'An Essay on Man' presents a nuanced view of humankind's relationship to both God and His creation, acknowledging our unique position and highlighting the intricate bonds that tie us all together.
