Symbol Analysis
What's a king without a kingdom? Thomas Shadwell is heir to the throne of the "realm of nonsense," and this is the fictional setting in which the poem's action takes place. The "realm of nonsense" is pretty much exactly how you might imagine it to be: it is a place defined by bad poetry, bad taste, and complete squalor. Only Shadwell, the worst writer in town, is fit to take over. Lucky him.
- Lines 3-6: Dryden ironically invokes Augustus and the Romans in his discussion of these "realms of Non-sense," juxtaposing the epic, classical imagery of kings and empires against the bumbling Flecknoe and his hapless heir, Shadwell.
- Lines 9-12: As king of nonsense, it will be Shadwell who will be charged with the defense of the state. And by defense of the state, we mean, "wage immortal war with wit." That's just part of the job description. According to Dryden, Shadwell is about as witless as it gets—truly a match made in heaven.
- Lines 85-89: It's only fitting that Flecknoe decided to design Shadwell's new throne in the most poverty and prostitution-plagued quadrant of the kingdom. Dryden shares this humorously ironic image to ridicule the new king.
- Lines 114-117: Like the heroic generals and emperors before him, Shadwell makes a solemn vow to defend the realm of nonsense against its mortal enemies. Of course, the mortal enemies of this totally lame kingdom are wit and sense. Fortunately, Shadwell's writing is 100% witless and nonsensical.
- Lines 139-142: Flecknoe, in the coronation speech, gives a few geographical coordinates to indicate the far-reaching boundaries of the kingdom. It just so happens, the boundaries he gives, "from Ireland" to "far Barbados on the Western main," is the entirety of the Atlantic Ocean. Without any, you know, land to speak of, it looks like the realm of nonsense isn't so impressive after all. But one thing is certain: Shadwell, in his limitless ignorance, will lead the kingdom to a new low—or high. We suppose it depends on how you look at it.