A TO Z Literary Principles from History of English Literature: Note 11



                       A Set of 26 Objective Questions & Answers

a.       Mathew Prior’s Alma is an imitation of Hudibras.

b.       Solomon is a long and serious poem by Addison.

c.       Pope’s two translated works are Iliad and Odyssey.

d.      Moral Essays was written by Pope.

e.      Horace Walpole: Life is a comedy to those who think and a tragedy to those who feel.

A TO Z Literary Principles from History of English Literature: Note 10



A Set of 26 Objective Questions & Answers
(a) An Essay on Criticism by Alexander Pope appeared in 1711. Written in heroic couplet the poem professes to the gospel of wit and nature as it applies to the literature of the age.

 (b) Phillis Wheatley’s poetry (Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral) begins a powerful African American tradition in American poetry.

 (c) Dunciad (a satire) is the longest of pope’s work.

(d) The age of pope is called classical age, because the poets of that age aimed at clerical perfection of form. They wanted to achieve the formal beauty which the poet of Rome attained under Emperor Augustus. That is why the age is treated a part of the Augustus age is English literature.

A TO Z Literary Principles from History of English Literature: Note 9



A Set of 26 Objective Questions & Answers

a. George Chapman is chiefly remembered as translator of Homer.

b. Between 1562 and 1591 chronicle play dealing with real characters of history developed with an astonishing rapidity.

c. The Victorian age is an age of sensibility of large charity and deeper faith is humanity.

d. The marked character of Victorian literature is that it tries to teach and improve and reform.

e. Andrea Del Sarto, a poem by Browning describes the strength and weakness of painter.

f.  William Langland wrote The Piers Ploughman is an allegory of life. The poet lies down on the Malvin Hills on a morning and a vision came to him in his sleep.

g. If The Canterbury tales had been completed according plan, there should have been one hundred and twenty eight tales. However Chaucer could complete twenty and left four unfinished.
h. Ralph Royster Doyster is the first true play in English with a regular plot and acts and scenes.

i.   For several years before Elisabeth I there was no literature.The reason for this infertility was intense absorption of the intelligentsia in religious question.

Caedmon
    j.  Edmund Spenser is known as the poet’s poet.


    k. Castle of Otranto a novel of mystery and terror was written by Walpole.

  l.  The common factor found in Thomas More’s Utopia, Bacon’s The New Altantics , Samuel Butler's Erewhon and W M Mallock’s The New Republic is that they are all imaginative reconstruction of the world along an ideal.
m.  The identity of the characters of The Four P’s are a pardoner, a Palmer, a pathycary and a peddler.

n. The battle of the Barks by Swift shows the superman of the ancients over the succeeding writers.
o. Vanity Fair (1847-48) is a novel by Thackeray the little of this book has been taken from Pilgrims Progress.

p. The Borderers, a play by William Wordsworth was rejected for not being stage able.

q. Annus Mirabilis of Dryden means year of miracles.

r.  Cura Pastorals was originally written in Latin by Pope Gregory and translated into English by Alfred the Great.

s. Truth about an Author is Arnold’s autobiography.

t.  The Golden Treasury, a collection of lyrical poems was brought out by Frences Turner Palgrave in 1861.

u. The importance of Being Earnest a play of Wilde has a subtitle A trivial Comedy For serious people.

v.  Confessions are a fictional autobiography of Rousseau.

w. Oliver Twist by Dickens Portrays the degradations and sufferings of the poor in English work houses.

x. The picture of Dorian Gray, a novel by Oscar Wilde is condemned as a poisonous book as a pursuit of sensual and intellectual delight with no acceptance of moral responsibility.

y. Praeperita (1885-89) is an autobiography of Ruskin.

z. Gaskell’s novel Wives and Daughters (1866) is considered to be her best social comedy.


A TO Z Literary Principles from History of English Literature: Note 8



A Set of 26 Objective Questions & Answers

a. Lord Byron wrote Ode to Napoleon Bonaparte which was written in 1814, after Napoleon’s abdication of the ‘throne of the world’ when he was on the island of Elba.

b.  Keats is referred to as Adonais in Shelley is elegy.

c. The pen-name of Charles Lamb is Elia.

d. Romantic age is given the term the Return to nature because their concern with nature and natural surroundings.

e. Sir Walter Scott is known as historical novelist of modern period. His two notable works are The Heart of Midlothian and The Bride of Lammermoor.

"The Spectator" by Addison and Steele: Study of Life and Manners



 " Whoever wishes to attain an English style familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison." -Dr. Johnson

Observations on Society: Exploring Life and Etiquette in "The Spectator"

The Far-Reaching Influence of The Spectator Essays: Transforming Literature, Language, and Society in the 18th Century

The Spectator essays of Addison and Steele  strongly influenced 18th-century English taste and opinion and they generally served a five-fold purpose:
(l) they presented the first excellent characterization in prose outside of the drama and thus advanced the art of the novel;
(2) they gave birth to the modern essay; 
(3) they vernacularized English prose style.
(4) They have left us our most vivid picture of eighteenth-century life and manners. 
 (5)The Spectator is remembered mainly as one of the founders of the modern familiar essays and as a prose style of polish, grace, and elegance.

The Spectator and The Tatler: Pioneers of 18th-Century Periodical Literature

Mixing politics, serious essays, and sly satire, the 18th-century periodicals  The Spectator, founded by the statesmen and literary figures Richard Steele and Joseph Addison, were enormously popular and influential.  The Spectator provides an entertaining and historically invaluable picture of 18th-century London life, both high and low.  In fact, the era of Queen Anne was epoch-making in the development of English prose, because pamphlets, newspapers, and magazines spread among the people a good standard style. From 1709, three times a week for two years The Tatler, edited by Richard Steele, appeared with its political news, gossip of the clubs and coffee-houses, and essays on the manners of the age. 

The Spectator: Unmasking Deception and Advocating Simplicity in Life

March 1, 1711, the first number of The Spectator came out." The general purpose of this paper," said the dedication," is to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our behaviour." There was to be no political news, a significant fact; and it was proved by the instantaneous success of the papers that there was a place for the strictly literary magazine. His best essays approach near to absolute perfection; nor is their excellence more wonderful than their variety. . . . On the Monday we have an allegory as lively and ingenious as Lucian's Auction of Lives; on the Tuesday, an Eastern apologue, as richly colored as the tales of Scheherazade; on the Wednesday, a character described with the skill of La Bruyere; on the Thursday, a scene from common life, equal to the best chapters in the Vicar of Wakefield; on the Friday, some sly Horatian pleasantry on fashionable follies, on hoops, patches, or puppet shows; and on the Saturday, a religious meditation, which will bear a comparison with the finest pages of Massillon.

The Spectator's Influence on Social Morality

 The Spectator  had a significant impact on the literary and intellectual landscape of the 18th century. It played a crucial role in shaping the development of the English essay as a literary form and popularized the periodical genre. The essays in "The Spectator" were widely read and discussed, and they influenced the cultural and social discourse of the time.

Some of the notable essays from  The Spectator include:

"The Spectator's Account of Himself" – This essay introduces the character of Mr. Spectator and sets the tone for the subsequent essays.
"The Pleasures of the Imagination" – Addison explores the nature and significance of imagination and its role in human life.
"On Party Patches" – This essay satirizes the fashionable trend of wearing political symbols on clothing, highlighting the absurdity of such behavior.
 "The Vision of Mirza" – This allegorical essay presents a dream-like vision experienced by an Eastern traveler, reflecting on the transience of human life and the pursuit of happiness.

These essays, among many others, showcase the variety and depth of topics covered in "The Spectator" and the skillful writing style of Addison and Steele. Their observations and critiques of society continue to be studied and appreciated for their relevance to our understanding of human behavior and social norms.

The Spectator: Illuminating the Life and Manners of the Period

 In reading these Spectator papers, the life and manners of the period comes  into the limelight. Here is such varied subjects as the status of the country squire, hunting customs, modes of travel, coffee-houses, clubs, theaters, superstitions, condition of politics, the beau, the belle, the dress of the period, the amusements, London life, streets, a fashionable life, gardens, the library, trade, etc. The Roger de Coverley Papers are the most popular portion of The Spectator. Before beginning these essays , one ought to read the first essay published, entitled The Spectator, and trace the resemblance to Addison. The second essay (on The Club) also should be read for the broad outlines of the various characters. Flesh-and-blood pictures of the poor relation in Will Wimble, the merchant in Sir Andrew Free port, the fop in Will Honeycomb, and, best of all, the country gentleman in Sir Roger take form as the reading continues, and as incidents and comments furnish side-lights. The playful humor, the power to vivify the times, the smoothness and elegance of style, the lofty moral sentiment, shrewd observation of character, pointed comments on life and manners, delicate satire, kindly spirit, and gossipy tone, the inexhaustible run of thoughts, the manliness and human sympathy these are a few of the qualities that have commended The Spectator to readers. 

Ardhendu De

References

Essays of Joseph Addison; : Addison, Joseph, 1672-1719 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/cu31924013167428

Joseph Addison (Addison, Joseph, 1672-1719) | The Online Books Page. (n.d.). Joseph Addison (Addison, Joseph, 1672-1719) | the Online Books Page. https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Addison%2C%20Joseph%2C%201672%2D1719

The life and writings of Addison; Samuel Johnson : Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron, 1800-1859 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/lifewritingsofad01maca

A History Of English Prosody Vol. 1 : Saintsbury George : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.93134

Charles Lamb's "Essays of Elia" : Study of Personality




Portraits of the Mind: Understanding Charles Lamb's "Essays of Elia"

Introduction: Exploring the Enigmatic Personality of Charles Lamb through "Essays of Elia"


Charles Lamb, a renowned English essayist, captivated readers with his collection of essays titled 
"Essays of Elia". Published in 1823, these essays provide a glimpse into Lamb's intriguing personality and offer a profound study of his character. As we read the pages of "Essays of Elia," we embark on a journey to unravel the complexities, wit, and unique perspective that define Lamb's captivating persona. In fact, Charles Lamb's "Essays of Elia" is a study of personality. A true follower of Addison is Charles Lamb, whose essays  contributed to the "London Magazine" between 1820 and 1825 and published in book form as "Essays of Elia" (1823) and "Last Essays of Elia" (1833), found response in the hearts of all lovers of books. The name "Elia" under which they were written was that of a fellow-clerk in the India House. The first series was printed in 1823, the second, "The Last Essays of Elia," in 1833. Lamb had a particular gift for analyzing character and his sensitivity and perceptiveness made him a valuable critic and friend. Some of his best writings were in "Essays of Elia." 

The Life and Times of Charles Lamb: Unraveling the Influences and Experiences that Shaped Lamb's Persona

To comprehend the depths of Lamb's personality, we must first examine the circumstances that shaped his life. Born in London in 1775, Lamb navigated a world in the midst of social and cultural transformation. Growing up against the backdrop of the Romantic era, Lamb was exposed to the burgeoning literary and intellectual circles that influenced his outlook. Furthermore, his close relationship with his sister, Mary Lamb, who suffered from mental illness, profoundly impacted his emotional and creative development.

Lamb was a fine-grained romanticist, an ardent admirer of the Elizabethans, a happy observer of the humors of his own day, a man whimsical and sympathetic. Lamb is just Lamb. Through the essays shines his personality. His brave manliness, his devotion to his sister Mary, his simple pursuance of duty, his loving circle of friends must be known by a class before they appreciate the essays. His witticisms, his insight into character, his wisdom, his self-betrayal, his felicitous phrase, his tender pathos, his charm, his whimsicality, his fine ideals, his quaintness do you, for your part, help pupils to see and feel these traits in the essays?

Literary Style and Themes in "Essays of Elia": Examining Lamb's Unique Writing Style and the Dominant Themes in his Essays

Lamb's writing style in "Essays of Elia" is characterized by its elegance, wit, and intimate tone. His essays are a blend of personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and vivid descriptions, often drawing from his own experiences. Through his writing, Lamb effortlessly transitions from light-hearted humor to poignant introspection, captivating readers with his keen observations and engaging storytelling.

Within the pages of "Essays of Elia", Lamb explores various themes, including friendship, love, nostalgia, and the complexities of human relationships. He reflects on the transient nature of life and the bittersweet aspects of human existence. Lamb's essays also serve as a platform for social and cultural commentary, shedding light on the societal norms and injustices of his time.

The richness of his language and his wealth of ideas are well illustrated in the following paragraph from "Poor Relations": "A Poor Relation is the most irrelevant thing in nature, a piece of impertinent correspondency, an odious approximation, a haunting conscience, a preposterous shadow, lengthening in the noontide of our prosperity, an unwelcome remembrancer, a perpetually recurring mortification, a drain on your purse,a more intolerable dun upon your pride, a drawback upon success, a rebuke to your rising, a stain in your blood, a blot on your 'scutcheon, a rent in your garment, a death' s head at your banquet, Agathocles' pot, a Mordecai in your gate, a Lazarus at your door, a lion in your path, a frog in your chamber, a fly in your ointment, a mote in your eye,a triumph to your enemy, an apology to your friends, the one thing not needful, the hail in harvest, the ounce of sour in a pound of sweet.Is that not an astounding procession of metaphors !"

An Insight into Lamb's Wit and Humor: Unveiling Lamb's Wit and Humor as Manifested in "Essays of Elia"

One of the defining features of Lamb's personality is his wit and humor, which permeate his essays. Through clever wordplay, irony, and a playful use of language, Lamb infuses his writing with a delightful sense of humor. His essays often feature whimsical anecdotes and satirical observations that provoke laughter while offering a subtle commentary on society.

The Depth of Lamb's Reflections:  Plunging into the Philosophical and Reflective Nature of Lamb's Essays

Beyond his wit and humor, Lamb's essays reveal a profound depth of thought and introspection. He contemplates the human condition, mortality, and the fleeting nature of happiness. In "Dream Children: A Reverie," Lamb engages in a poignant reflection on the loss of loved ones and the imaginative power of memories. Such introspective essays showcase Lamb's ability to delve into profound philosophical questions while maintaining a personal and relatable voice.

Unmasking Lamb's Quirks and Eccentricities: Identifying and Analyzing Lamb's Idiosyncrasies and Unconventional Traits

Lamb's essays also offer glimpses into his idiosyncrasies and eccentricities. Known for his love of puns, Lamb's playful use of language reflects his own peculiar sense of humor. He often weaves personal anecdotes that highlight his unconventional behavior and unique quirks. Through these glimpses into his personality, readers gain a deeper understanding of Lamb as a complex and multifaceted individual.

The Emotional Journey of Charles Lamb: Tracing Lamb's Emotional Spectrum and Personal Struggles Reflected in his Essays

Lamb's essays are not onlyan exploration of intellectual ideas but also a reflection of his emotional journey. Throughout "Essays of Elia," Lamb reveals his vulnerability and wrestles with his own inner turmoil. His essays touch upon themes of love, loss, and the fragility of human emotions. Lamb's emotional depth resonates with readers, as he fearlessly exposes his own struggles and invites empathy and understanding.

Exploring Lamb's Social and Cultural Commentary: Analyzing Lamb's Observations on Society, Culture, and the Human Condition

Lamb's keen eye for societal and cultural nuances shines through his essays. He offers incisive commentary on the social hierarchies, traditions, and injustices prevalent in his time. In essays like "The Praise of Chimney-Sweepers" and "The Superannuated Man," Lamb brings to light the plight of the working class and challenges the societal norms that perpetuate their suffering. Through his insightful observations, Lamb invites readers to critically examine the world around them and question established conventions.

The name Elia was taken from a clerk in the South Sea House and attached in fun to the first essay. Bridget was his sister Mary. Many of the essays have personal references, "The South-Sea House",for instance, "The Old Benchers of the Inner Temple", "Christ's Hospital Five-And-Thirty Years Ago", "Mockery End in Hertfordshire",and "Blakesmoor in H-shire. "Dream-Children" is a little classic of pathos ; "A Dissertation upon Roast Pig", and "The Praise of Chimney Sweepers", on the other hand, are splendid examples of wit and humor. Besides these, "Old China", "A Chapter on Ears", "Mrs. Battle's Opinions on Whist", "Barbara S----", and other favorites may be read. It spoils Lamb's essays to try to analyze them; they must simply be accepted and enjoyed.

Short Story Elements in Charles Lamb's "Essays of Elia"

 Charles Lamb is essentially an essayist, but in his "Essays of Elia" are several sketches that bear marks of the short-story structure. "A Dissertation upon Roast Pig" is a combination of essay and story. The introduction gravely announces that the art of roasting was inadvertently discovered; it then gives the story as it is supposed to be found in an old manuscript. This story is the portion to be used in class. It begins about the third sentence and runs half-way through the essay. In reading it we find the series of events, suspense, and the changing-around of situation that mark the true short story. There is much humor. In "Dream-Children: a Reverie", are shown great richness of feeling and delicacy of imagination. Hardly more than a fragile sketch, this bears in it the single impression, movement, and climax of the true short story. Lamb uses beautiful art in his side remarks relative to the acts of the children; he constructs a world of boys and girls and family background and all out of fancy. These little boys and girls of Lamb's imagination are worth meeting.

Conclusion: Understanding Charles Lamb's Complex Personality through the "Essays of Elia"

Charles Lamb's "Essays of Elia" serves as a window into the rich and intricate personality of the author. Through his unique writing style, wit, and introspection, Lamb reveals his multifaceted nature. From his playful sense of humor to his profound reflections on life, Lamb captivates readers with his ability to seamlessly navigate the realms of comedy and tragedy.

As we journey through the pages of "Essays of Elia," we uncover Lamb's joys, sorrows, quirks, and social observations. We witness his emotional spectrum, his intellectual prowess, and his unwavering commitment to truth and authenticity. Through his essays, Lamb emerges as a literary figure who leaves an indelible mark on the readers, challenging them to reflect on their own lives and society at large.

 Ardhendu De

Ref:
1. The Essays of Elia : Charles Lamb : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/essayselia01lambgoog

A TO Z Literary Principles from History of English Literature: Note 7



A Set of 26 Objective Questions &Answers

a.     The prologue to the Canterbury Tales is the mirror of the 14th  century society of England.

b.      Satan in Paradise Lost is Milton’s mouthpiece.

c.     Dryden’s Asolom and Achitophel is heroic poem both in style and action.

d.    The Rape of the Lock includes – epic qualities like supernatural machinery,a  voyage, a heroic battle between the sexes etc.




e.     Blake’s Songs of Innocence is about: the joys of childhood ia an natural and protected world and s description of pastoral world.

f.      Samuel Butler is Hudibras satirizes Puritanism.

g.    David Copperfield a novel by Dicknens contains the biographical element.

A TO Z Literary Principles from History of English Literature: Notes 6



A Set of 26 Objective Questions & Answers

a.   The monogram PRB was used by the painters belonging to pre Raphaelite Brotherhood.

b.   Calcutta-born Victorian novelist is W M Thackeray; Bombay-born Victorian novelist is Kipling.

c.   Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) borrowed the little Sohrab and Rustom (1853) from Bible.

Literary Terms: Satire, Interludes, Tragedy, Tragi-comedy, Comedy, Farce





Satire

 Satire is a genre of literature that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to criticize or mock human vices, follies, or societal issues. It often aims to bring about social or political change through its satirical commentary. Dryden defines the satire as a literary composition whose principal aims to redicule folly or vice. The true end of satire is an amendment of vices by correction. A healthy satire good humouredly exposes one’s folly or vice.  Satire can be found in various forms, including novels, plays, poetry, and even cartoons. It serves as a powerful tool to highlight hypocrisy, corruption, and absurdity in society. 

Example: 
1. "Animal Farm" by George Orwell is a classic example of satire. The novel uses a group of farm animals to satirically portray the events leading up to the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Joseph Stalin. Through the animals' actions and dialogue, Orwell critiques the corruption and abuse of power in totalitarian regimes.
2. Samuel Butler’s novel "The Way of All Flesh" (1903) is a comic satire that criticizes overzealousness and hypocrisy in child rearing and religious faith.

Interludes

Interludes refer to short scenes or acts within a play or narrative that serve as a break or diversion from the main plot. The interludes were generally short entertainments inserted within a longer play or amidst some other festivities or festivals. Their primary function was to entertain the audience by humour or even by force.  These interludes often introduce a separate storyline or offer a change in tone or setting. They can provide comic relief or offer a different perspective on the main story. Interludes can also be used to highlight thematic elements or provide additional background information.

Example:
1. In Shakespeare's play "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the interlude of the mechanicals' play within the play serves as a humorous and lighthearted break from the romantic entanglements of the main plot. The comical performance by the amateur actors adds an element of farce and serves as a contrast to the more serious themes of love and enchantment.
2. British composer Benjamin Britten's "Sea Interludes."
The tragedy is the tragic story of a good and great man who, on account of a slight flaw in his character, passes through a harrowing, emotional  and spiritual crisis, and finally meets his doom and death.  A protagonist's downfall or destruction may often due to a tragic flaw or a combination of external circumstances. Tragedies typically evoke feelings of pity and fear in the audience and explore profound themes such as fate, mortality, and the human condition. They often feature a noble or heroic character who meets an unfortunate or catastrophic fate.

Example: 
1. William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is a renowned tragedy. The play follows the tragic journey of Prince Hamlet, who seeks revenge for his father's murder. The story delves into themes of betrayal, madness, and mortality, ultimately resulting in the demise of several key characters, including Hamlet himself.
2.  Marlowe's "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus."

    Tragi-comedy

A tragic comedy is a artistic combination of both tragedy and comedy. It develops as a tragedy to the point of climax, and then takes a happy turn and finally ends into a happy denouement. It combines serious and humorous elements to create a work that oscillates between both genres. Tragicomedy often explores the complexities of human emotions and the interplay between joy and sorrow. It can present tragic situations with comic relief or incorporate comedic elements within a predominantly serious narrative.

Example: 
1."The Tempest" by William Shakespeare is considered a tragicomedy. The play explores themes of power, forgiveness, and redemption, while also featuring comedic moments and light-hearted characters such as the mischievous spirit Ariel and the drunken butler Stephano. The interplay between the serious and humorous elements adds depth and complexity to the story.
2. Samuel Beckett's "En attendant Godot or Waiting for Godot," 1954).

Comedy

The comedy is a type of drama characterized by romantic love, humour, pleasantry, light satire and cross love finally leading to a happy denouement. Through fortune may be unkind to some stage, all ends happily at last. It often features lighthearted and humorous situations, witty dialogue, and amusing characters. Comedy can be found in various forms, including plays, novels, and films. It explores themes such as love, misunderstandings, and the absurdities of everyday life.
Example:
1. "Much Ado About Nothing" by William Shakespeare is a delightful comedy that explores themes of love, deception, and misunderstandings. The play follows the witty banter and romantic entanglements of two couples, Beatrice and Benedick, and Hero and Claudio. Shakespeare's clever wordplay, comedic situations, and the humorous antics of the bumbling constable Dogberry and his watchmen add to the overall comedic effect of the play. "Much Ado About Nothing" showcases Shakespeare's mastery of comedic storytelling and remains a beloved comedy in the literary canon.
2. Jonson’s  "Every Man in His Humour" (1598).

Farce 

Farce is a crude form of comedy.It seeks to cause boisterous horse – laughter. A farce is rarely a full play. It is an episode inserted within a play to please the lower class of spectators, or to relieve tragic tension. Farce is a comedic genre that relies on exaggerated situations, absurd plot twists, and physical humour to create laughter. It often involves mistaken identities, misunderstandings, and chaotic situations that lead to humorous outcomes. Farce prioritizes entertainment and amusement, often sacrificing realism for comedic effect.
Example:
1. "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde is a classic farce that satirizes Victorian society. The play revolves around mistaken identities, elaborate deceptions, and ludicrous situations. The characters' witty banter and Wilde's clever wordplay add to the comedic elements of the play, making it a delightful farce.
2. French farce  "Master Peter Patelan."

Conclusion:

In conclusion, these literary terms represent different genres and techniques employed in literature. Satire uses humor and irony to critique society, interludes provide breaks or alternative storylines within a larger narrative, tragedy explores the downfall of a protagonist, tragicomedy combines elements of tragedy and comedy, comedy aims to entertain and amuse, and farce uses exaggerated situations and physical humor for comedic effect. Understanding these terms can help readers analyze and appreciate various works of literature and their unique qualities.

Ten Common Literary Terms: Renaissance, Reformation, Wordsworthian definition of poetry ,Poetic justice, Epic, Mock epic, Sonnet, Ode, Elegy, Ballad





1. Renaissance:

Renaissance means revival or rebirth of Greek learning, art, literature and culture of the riddle age in Europe  in the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries. These movements began in Italy and eventually expanded into Germany, France, England, and other parts of Europe. It marked a transition from the medieval era to the modern age, emphasizing humanism, individualism, and the revival of classical knowledge and artistic forms. The Renaissance had a profound impact on literature, inspiring new forms and ideas that celebrated human potential and explored human experiences. In England it came through Italy and flourished in the Elizabethan Age in the works of Shakespeare, Spenser, Marlowe and Ben Jonson etc . 

Example: One prominent literary figure during the Renaissance was William Shakespeare, whose works such as "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet" exemplify the era's exploration of complex human emotions and the human condition.

2. Reformation:

Reformation was a religious revolution in 16th-century  in the Christian church, which ended the ecclesiastical supremacy of the Pope in Western Christendom and resulted in the establishment of the Protestant churches. It was started by Martin Luther is the fifteenth century. It protested against the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. It advocated complete faith in the Bible and in one’s own soul for salvation. This period witnessed significant changes in religious, social, and political structures, influencing literature and fostering the development of religious and philosophical ideas.

Example: John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost" reflects the religious and theological turmoil of the Reformation era, exploring themes of sin, redemption, and free will.

3. Wordsworthian definition of poetry

Poetry is a criticism of life under the laws of poetric truth and poetic beauty. Poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, taking its origin from emotions recollected in tranquility. Wordsworth emphasized the importance of nature, individual experience, and the expression of profound emotions in poetry, rejecting artificiality and formal constraints.

Example: Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" (also known as "Daffodils") exemplifies his definition of poetry. The poem evokes a sense of wonder and awe in nature, expressing the poet's emotional response to a field of daffodils.

4. Poetic justice

The term poetic justice was coined by Thomas Rhymer. It means exact reward or punishment or a fate that seems a fitting punishment or, less often, a fitting reward given to a character account for  his good or bad deeds. This exactness of justice is possible only in the world of poetry. Liberally, Poetic justice also refers to the concept in literature that suggests morally appropriate outcomes for characters based on their actions. It involves rewarding virtue and punishing vice or wrongdoing, often resulting in a satisfying resolution that aligns with the audience's sense of fairness. Poetic justice serves to uphold moral order and create a sense of closure in literary works.

Example: In Charles Dickens' novel "Great Expectations," the character of Miss Havisham, who manipulates and mistreats others, eventually meets a tragic end. Her downfall and isolation can be seen as an example of poetic justice, as her actions are met with appropriate consequences.

5. Epic

The epic is the greatest and most sublime form of poetry. The epic is a long poem, divided into several books, celebrating the life, heroic deeds and achievements of a national hero, whether historical or legendary.  Epics often depict grandiose themes, such as heroism, honor, and the struggle between good and evil. They typically incorporate elements of mythology, supernatural beings, and epic battles. Epics aim to inspire and entertain while conveying cultural and moral values. It might be of different types: Folk epics, Literary, Mock epic.  
    Example: Homer's "The Iliad" is an epic poem that recounts the events of the Trojan War. It portrays the heroism of warriors like Achilles and Hector, explores the complexities of human emotions, and addresses themes of honor, fate, and the consequences of war.

    6. Mock epic

    Mock epic is a parody of real epic in a light non-serious mood. It satirizes contemporary ideas or conditions in a form and style burlesquing the serious epic. It is written on which a grab of classical conventions of a real epic is overlaid It employs lofty language and epic elements to depict trivial or mundane subjects, often to create humorous or ironic effects. Mock epics expose the absurdity of grandiose themes and highlight the contrast between the heroic and the ordinary.

    Example: Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" is a mock epic that satirizes the trivial incident of a young woman having a lock of her hair cut off. Pope treats the event with exaggerated grandeur, employing epic devices and language to highlight the humorous nature of the situation.

    7. Sonnet

    The term sonnet is derived from the Italian Sonnet Which means a little sound. It is a musical poem of 14 lines written in Iambic Pentameter and linked by an intricate rhyme scheme.
        sonnet variant:
    1.     Petrarchan/ Italian:It consists of an octave(a b b a, a b b a,) and a sestet, or six-line stanza (c d e c d e, or c d c d c d, or c d e d c). 
    2.      English, or Shakespearean: Its rhyme scheme is a b a b, c d c d, e f e f, g g.
    Example: Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, often referred to as "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" is a beloved example of a sonnet. It praises the beauty of a beloved and explores the eternal nature of love through vivid imagery and metaphors.

    8. Ode

    Ode is a long lyrical poem, serious in subject, elevated in style and elaborated in its staanzaic structure. It is in the form of an address to the object or the person about whom it is written. They exhibit a formal structure, elaborate language, and a heightened emotional tone. Odes are characterized by their elevated style and the poet's profound engagement with the subject matter.

    Example: John Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale" is a renowned ode that reflects the poet's contemplation on the nature of life, mortality, and the power of art. The poem captures the beauty and transcendence of the nightingale's song and explores the themes of escapism and the fleeting nature of happiness.

    9. Elegy

    An elegy is essentially a poem of mourning or lamentation on the death of some particular person. In the wider sense it may also be a poem of mourning on the mortality and vanity of human life in general. Simply, a Elegies often express sorrow and pay tribute to the deceased, but they can also evoke broader reflections on the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death.

    Example: "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" by Thomas Gray is a well-known elegy that reflects on the lives and deaths of ordinary people buried in a rural churchyard. The poem contemplates the brevity of life, the universality of death, and the significance of anonymous individuals.

    10.Ballad

    The word Ballad literally means a dance song. Troupes of wondering singers used to sing then from village to village they generally song of the brave deeds and heroic exploits of historical or legendry heroes and knights. Ballads typically have a simple and rhythmic structure, and they often employ repetition and refrain. They have been passed down through oral tradition and are known for their ability to capture emotions and convey tales of love, tragedy, and heroism.

    Example: "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a well-known ballad that recounts the supernatural journey of a mariner and his crew. The poem explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of human actions.


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