Absalom And Achitophel : Kessinger Publishing : 9781419104534 : 1419104535 : 17 Jun 2004 : Absalom and Achitophel is a political allegory poem written by John Dryden in 1681. The poem tells the story of the biblical figure of King David and his son Absalom, but it is actually a commentary on the political situation in England at the time. The poem is set during the reign of King Charles II, and it deals with the political crisis that arose when the King's illegitimate son, James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, attempted to overthrow him. Dryden uses the biblical story of Absalom's rebellion against his father to explore the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the dangers of political ambition. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the crisis. The first part introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the conflict. The second part deals with the rebellion itself and the various factions that supported it. The third part is a moralistic conc