Collected from a thesis. The Role of Achitophel in Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel: A Representation of the Unscrupulous and Ambitious Politicians with Extraordinary Intellect Dryden writes Absalom and Achitophel at the request of Charles II to defend the King and his followers against the Whigs led by the Earl of Shaftesbury. From history, we know…