Back to: Literary Movements in English Literature
Table of Contents
Introduction
Scriblerus Club was a prominent club that emerged during the Augustan Age. In the 18th century, it reached its heights of popularity in London and played an important role in the history of English Literature.
Characteristics of the Scriblerus Club
Fictional Founder
What is special about this club is that it is named after a fictional founder, Martinus Scriblerus. Members of this club often collaborated and wrote with his name. Their “Memoirs of Martinus Scriblerus” stands as testimony to this and was very famous, especially at that time.
Members
Members of this club were highly intellectual and discussed common objectives for the development and continuance of art and literature and also to raise the standards of education.
Satire and Wit
Satire and Wit were also important for these erudites. In fact, as Britannica points out, their aim was to “ridicule pretentious erudition” and “scholarly jargon”. Martinus Scriblerus was used as a tool to achieve this.
Scriblerus Club Major Poets List and Their Important Works
Jonathan Swift
Swift again was a notable member and known for his extensive social commentary. Apart from his essays, his magnum opus “Gulliver’s Travels” was widely accepted. Other famous works of his include “A Modest Proposal” and “A Tale of a Tub”.
Alexander Pope
Pope was yet another eminent member whose fame and wit were well known. This can especially be seen in his mock epic “The Rape of the Lock” as it satirises society. His other famous well-known work would be “The Dunciad”.
John Arbuthnot
Arbuthnot was again a prominent member and known for his wit and satire. One famous work of his is “The History of John Bull”, which critiques the political scenario of that time humorously.
Conclusion
Scriblerus Club was thus pivotal for the literary landscape of the Augustan era– it paved the way for good intellect and excellent quality literary masterpieces.
