Pope, recognized as the greatest English poet of the 18th century, was almost entirely self-taught. He established his poetic reputation with the Pastorals in 1709 and the Essay on Criticism in 1711. The Rape of the Lock, a mock-heroic epic ridiculing high society, is perhaps his most popular work. A number of passages from his works have taken on a somewhat proverbial quality, such as “To err is human, to forgive, divine.” From what health problems did Pope suffer? Discuss