Let’s take a look from the window, opening up to the community and cultural life of 18th century society in England. In the blue sky, with more glories and splendor, the sun rises first over the horizon, casting its red heat over the ocean. A shy ray breaks into Belinda’s bedroom through her white curtains. The lightning from this scattered ray causes Belinda to open her eyes, which are so bright they could dazzle and blind the sun. But the liveliness of those bright eyes seems rather muted by her heavy makeup; it had been worn the night before. That same night she, the goddess of many hearts, was there at the party; among her many fans. Stunning ladies and elegantly dressed gentlemen gathered around her, but all her eyes were on her alone. She wore a burgundy brocade gown, the petticoat of which was embroidered with precious jewels and pearls that consisted of seven thin layers along with hoops and boning to give it rigidity. The frill and the skin under the petticoat were swollen with silver. Dark patches were persistently used, adding to the decoration of this pompous robe. Speaking of her jealous eyes that were laden with deep makeup, her lashes were heavily lined, to give her gaze the quality of illumination. Her cheeks were delicately colored with scarlet tones so that they would blush flirtatiously. Her earrings emitted light, shimmering with her every movement. She also sported a dazzling cross on her chest.
“On his white breast he wore a resplendent cross,
that the Jews could kiss and the infidels adore;
His lively look reveals a lively mind,
Quick as their eyes and as loose as those.
He favors no one, he spreads his smile to everyone.”
The lips were lusciously adorned with a pink shade along with a loser lip that gave them an alluring look. Her smiles became more attractive and her innate graces improved considerably. All the amazing beauties of her face improved, as soon as she showed a hurtful smile. Sparkling touches were added to enhance her sensual appeal. Her nails were cleverly shaped, polished with cutex. Her fingers were full of pretty rings; those fragile fingers seem to be imprisoned in diamond manacles. Those ‘ivory-like’ wrists were required to wear gold bracelets. Beautiful anklets, made of pearls, adorned her feet, the jingle of the anklets marking the rhythm of each step. The ‘adorable goddess’ possessed two locks of hair, which hung gracefully in equal curls, which could ruin the peace of mind of the hunks who beheld them. Anyone could get lost in the knots of those curls of her hair, over which glitter was poured to make them look like ‘starry night’. Her blond tresses fluttered in sweet gusts of breeze.
In a sleeveless outfit, his bony stature was quite visible along with the prominent clavicle that was adorned by the sparkling cross hung on a subtle chain. The ornate trim around her ribs strained to grip her slim, slender waist. The perfumes imprisoned in seven folds of her fabulous dress emitted an intoxicating aroma, which could bewitch all the men present.
Without any kind of prejudice, his pair of blue eyes looked intensely at everyone, but showed no special inclination towards anyone. Holding a bouquet of spring flowers in one hand and a rainbow-colored fan in the other, ‘this beautiful virgin’ walked proudly, armed with powers enough to influence every soul she crossed her path. She caught the attention of many hearts with the loving gazes of her, who now sleeps peacefully after stealing the peace of her countless lovers and admirers. It is the time when the lapdogs shake their bodies and get up from their nap and the lovers who have not been able to sleep in the hours of darkness due to the anguish of love, wake up at noon. Belinda rings the bell three times to call her maid, but receiving no answer, she taps her slipper on the floor, then presses the spring of her repeater clock to find out the last hour it has rung. Her head is still pressed against her soft pillow, trying to hold open the lashes that seem about to droop from her ecstatic sleep.
After leaving the valley of sleep, still unable to make any move. Then she frees her eyes from her, she sees a love letter waiting for her. And now the dresser is exposed, he reveals different vases or silver caskets arranged in an order that only adepts of the art of cosmetics and jewelry can understand. The beautiful Belinda, who wears a white robe, first bows her head, offers a prayer, which contains a speech to the deities, presiding over the art of personal adornment. She offers her prayer with her head uncovered out of reverence to those deities. Looking at the reflection of her in the mirror, the reflection, full of heavenly beauty and wonder, the reflection, which could cast a spell on any mortal being, suddenly this beautiful head bent down to examine the lower part of her body, then she lift your head. head to get a look at her upper torso. Belinda stands by the sacred boudoir and Betty, her maid, begins the sacred ritual of dressing her proud mistress. From one coffin, Betty takes the most brilliant pearls and diamonds from India, while from another she chooses the perfumes of Arabia. Next, she examines the spotted combs made of tortoise shell and the milk-white ivory combs, which lie side by side. She then directs her attention to rows of shiny pins, puffs, powders, patches, bibles, and billet-doux. Now this stunning and formidable lady uses different ornaments and cosmetics to enhance her charms. She, without a doubt, is “The fashionable sculpture” of 18th century society in England, ‘protagonist’ of the mocking epic “The rape of the lock” written by Alexander Pope. Although Belinda occupies an ambivalent position and has been criticized by Pope, she can certainly be considered one of the pioneers of the existing ‘fashion world’. If she exists today, she would still be worshiped in the same way that she was in the past. Although Pope has presented a sarcastic image of Belinda and the society at that time, however, it touches our hearts and receives applause, being representative of the aristocratic ladies of those times, she is always busy in her self-relief along with her assistant. Betty. The ridiculous lines of women’s excessive attention to self-decoration. Belinda is described as beginning her bathing operations with a prayer to the “Cosmetic Powers”. After going through the irksome task of adorning herself, no one knows, whether she will infringe Diana’s law (law of chastity), or some fragile porcelain vessel she will receive a flaw, whether she will tarnish her honor, or the new brocade of she; if she will forget her prayer or she will miss a masquerade, if she will lose her heart or her necklace at a ball. The calamities paired here aren’t just ridiculous contrasts; they show the moral bankruptcy of the ladies of the time. These blank verses show how easily and irreparably chastity can be lost in the world of fashion. Honor, to a lady, was an accessory worn publicly, like her brocade that was easily stained; but if the spots weren’t visible, it wouldn’t matter. For her, a masked ball had the same importance as a religious prayer, and she took her prayer with the insouciance with which she went to a masked ball. Her heart could be lost as easily as a necklace, which was no less precious. But, despite all that, Belinda reigns in every heart, even today she exists with all her charms and vanities. If she has any flaws, she is hidden by her graceful ease and her sweetness. If she suffers from some mistake, the beauty of her face would make us ignore it, having a carefree temperament:
“Belinda smiled, and everything
the world is gay”
Her demeanor, her wonderful lifestyle, her spectacular beauty, deserve more praise. She is shallow and shallow, but fascinating. We see her as a flirt, a sweet seductress, a society beauty, a rival to the sun, and a murderer of millions. We can call her ‘The Beautiful Virgin’, ‘Maiden’, ‘Goddess’, etc., the words reflect the homage that society pays to the image of the beautiful and seductive woman.