In Alexander Pope's introduction to, The Rape of the Lock, Sylphs are described as fictitious, gentle spirits inhabiting the air. Speaking to Mrs. Arabella Fermor in the introduction, Pope tells her that mortals "may enjoy the most intimate familiarity with the gentle spirits, upon a condition very easy to all true adepts, an inviolate preservation of chastity" (291). Throughout the poem, the reader witnesses the Sylphs working diligently to preserve the honor and beauty of the heroine, Belinda.
Sylphs are introduced in Canto I prolonging Belinda's sleep. Her sleep is prolonged so that she will have a dream and can receive a warning before she attends a party later that evening. Belinda is told she is in the "distinguished care of thousand bright inhabitants of air" (292). The reader learns that before Sylphs were Sylphs, they too were once beautiful women. By a "soft transition" they changed from "earthly vehicles to these of air" (293). In her dream, the Sylph's tell Belinda they remember what it was like to be young, beautiful and tempted by men. Even though no longer alive, they remember the "joy in gilded chariots" and "love of ombre" (293), which Belinda will be participating in later that evening.
Belinda is told that when a beautiful, virgin woman rejects a man, a Sylph will embrace her. As she attends the balls and masquerades, the Sylphs will guard her honor from the temptations she will feel caused by the glances, whispers, dancing and soft music. The Sylphs tell Belinda even though she has a beautiful face, she should beware of having a "vacant brain" (294). Ariel, the head Sylph, warns her that honor can be quickly lost when getting caught up in a moment. He continues to warn her that "some dread event" (294) is ahead, although he doesn't know "what, or how, or where" (294). This one thing Ariel does know and he warns her with all his might: "Beware of all, but most beware of Man!" (294).