In John Dryden's satirical poem "Absalom and Achitophel," which historical figure is symbolized by the character Absalom?
Explanation
In Dryden's allegory, Absalom represents the Duke of Monmouth, who was the illegitimate son of King Charles II and a central figure in the political conflicts that inspired the poem. Other characters symbolize different historical personalities, but Absalom specifically stands for the Duke of Monmouth.