The Dunciad

The introductory materials to The Dunciad in Four Books are broken into eight parts.

“Advert” is an advertisement for an edition of Alexander Pope’s poems that includes “An Essay on Man,” “An Essay on Criticism,” “The Dunciad,” and other poems.

“Advertisement to the Reader” is a note written by William Warburton in support of the author.

“By Authority” is a faux legal note announcing that “Tibbald” has abdicated and that the “Throne of Poesy” is currently vacant.

“A Letter to the Publisher, occasioned by the first correct edition of the Dunciad” is a letter written by William Cleland dated 1728, which accompanied the Dunciad Variorum, in defense of the work, including quotes from several of the named “Dunces” where they support calling out bad writing wherever it is found

“Martinus Scriblerus” is a title page introducing the final three sections.

“Testimonies of Authors” is a short essay by “Martinus Scriblerus” as preface to a long list of testimonies written by many of the Dunces.

“Martinus Scriblerus of the Poem” is another short piece in support of the writer.

“Ricardus Aristarchus of the hero of the poem” is an essay by Pope, writing under a pseudonym.