A Study of Satirical Elements in Jonathan Swift’s The Battle of the Books

This article mainly focuses on satirical elements of Jonathan Swift's The Battle of the Books which is comprised of five clearly distinguishable incidents. The main body of the satire is however preceded by the Bookseller's notice to the reader and a very brief preface. The first of the five incidents that form the main body of the satire concerns the dispute between the ancients and the moderns for the rights to live on the highest peak of Parnassus. Before the actual dispute of warfare goes on among the dogs of the street. After having thus established want and lust as the main causes of quarrels, the satirist turns to disputes between the inhabitants of the moderns live on a lower peak. They cannot raise high through their own efforts and cannot see ancients enjoying a superior position. Jealousy and heart burning lie at the bottom of their hostile attitude towards the superior beings.