Identify the writer of the following lines taken from a mock-epic narrative poem, which is based on an event recounted by his friend John Caryll and satirizes a minor incident in life.

"This Nymph, to the Destruction of Mankind,
Nourish’d two Locks, which graceful hung behind
In equal Curls, and well conspir’d to deck
With shining Ringlets the smooth Iv'ry Neck."

Correct option is C

Explanation:
The correct answer is Alexander Pope.

These lines are from Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock (1712), a mock-epic poem that humorously portrays a minor incident—a young woman’s lock of hair being cut off—and elevates it to the level of an epic battle. The poem satirizes the vanity and trivial concerns of aristocratic society. It was inspired by an actual event involving Arabella Fermor and Lord Petre, with Pope's friend John Caryll encouraging him to write the poem to reconcile the families involved in the incident.
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Information Booster:

About The Rape of the Lock (1712):

It is a Mock-epic poem written in heroic couplets.

The poem tells the story of a young woman, Belinda, who has a lock of her hair cut off by Baron, sparking a social conflict.

Elevates a trivial event (the cutting of a lock of hair) to the level of a grand epic, using classical themes and conventions.

Major Themes of the Poem:

Vanity and Materialism of 18th-century English aristocracy.
The mockery of superficial concerns, like fashion, beauty, and status.
The tension between frivolous desires and higher ideals, making fun of human behavior and ambition.

Famous Lines from The Rape of the Lock:
"What dire offense from am'rous causes springs,
What mighty contests rise from trivial things."
"The hungry judges soon the sentence sign,
And wretches hang that jurymen may dine."

Pope's Influence in Literature:

Known for his satirical style and use of heroic couplets.
Famous works include The Dunciad and An Essay on Criticism.
His poetry critiques social norms, literary criticism, and human folly.

Additional Knowledge:

John Evelyn  – A 17th-century diarist and writer, his diary chronicled important events.

John Dryden  – A neoclassical poet, famous for works like Absalom and Achitophel.

Samuel Pepys  – Known for his diary entries, particularly the Pepys Diary, which covers historical events.