# Canto II explained — Hudibras

> Chapter companion for Hudibras by Samuel Butler.

## What happens

Hudibras and Ralpho engage in a heated theological dispute over the nature of oaths and whether it is a sin to break one's word. Their argument escalates to the point of drawing weapons, but they are interrupted by a bizarre and raucous procession—a mock triumph featuring a crowd with horns, pans, dogs, and a woman riding backwards on a horse. The spectacle distracts them from their quarrel, and they watch in wonder as the parade passes by.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religious Hypocrisy

Ralpho argues that saints may perjure themselves for self-advantage, exposing the hypocrisy of those who claim moral superiority while breaking oaths.

### Satire of Ideology

The entire dispute between Hudibras and Ralpho parodies the pedantic and self-serving theological arguments of Puritan factions.

### Folly of Pedantry

The knights' absurd debate over the semantics of oath-breaking exemplifies the folly of over-intellectualizing moral questions.

## Character check-ins

### Hudibras

Rises from his couch, resolves to fulfill his vow, and engages in a fierce dispute with Ralpho over oath-breaking.

### Ralpho

Argues with Hudibras about the legitimacy of oaths, claiming saints may dispense with them for self-interest; nearly draws his sword.

## Key lines

> Oaths are but words, and words but wind; Too feeble implements to bind; And hold with deeds proportion so As shadows to a substance do.

Oaths are merely empty sounds, as insubstantial as shadows compared to actions.

_Ralpho dismisses the binding power of oaths, a key point in his argument for perjury._

> Did they not swear, at first, to fight For the king's safety and his right, And after march'd to find him out, And charg'd him home with horse and foot; But yet still had the confidence To swear it was in his defence.

They swore to defend the king, then attacked him, yet still claimed it was for his protection.

_Ralpho cites the hypocrisy of Parliamentarians who broke oaths while professing loyalty._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hudibras_se/chapters/part-ii-canto-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hudibras_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hudibras_se/chapters