Shakespeare’s Tragedies with Short Description of Characters (Part-1)

Shakespeare’s Tragedies with Short description of Characters

In Shakespeare's tragedies, the protagonist has a flaw that results in his or her downfall. There are both internal and external struggles. They often have a bit of the supernatural element. Often there are characters that have the work of lightening the mood, but the general tone of the piece is sort of serious. There are 10 Shakespearean plays generally known as tragedy. They are as follows:

Antony and Cleopatra

Characters in the Play:

Antony:

A fierce and feared soldier. He rules the Roman Empire along with Octavius Caesar and Lepidus. At the beginning of the play, Antony has neglected his duties as a ruler. He carries on a highly visible romance with Cleopatra. His loyalty is split between the Western and Eastern worlds. He feels the necessity to reaffirm respect. It has made him a celebrated Roman hero. He's also head over heels in love with Cleopatra.

Cleopatra:

The beautiful queen of Egypt and Antony’s lover. A highly attractive woman who once seduced Caesar. Cleopatra delights into the thought that she has caught Antony. In matters of love, Cleopatra favors high drama. Her emotions are as volatile as they're theatrical, and, no matter whether her audience is her handmaid or the emperor of Rome. She always offers top-notch performance.

Octavius Caesar:

The nephew and adopted son of Caesar. Ambitious and very pragmatic, Octavius lacks Antony’s military might as a general.

Enobarbus:

Enobarbus is Antony’s most loyal supporter. He abandons Antony only appears to be completely finished.

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus:

The third member of the triumvirate and therefore the weakest, both politically and personally.

Pompey:

The son of an excellent general who was one among Julius Caesar’s partners in power. Pompey is young and fashionable to the Roman people. He possesses enough military might face as a legitimate threat to the triumvirs. He fancies himself honorable for refusing to permit his men to kill Caesar. Antony and Lepidus once are his guests.

Octavia:

Octavius Caesar’s sister. Octavia marries Antony so as to cement an alliance between the 2 triumvirs. She is a victim of Antony’s deception.

Charmian and Iras:

Cleopatra’s faithful attendants.

The Soothsayer:

An Egyptian fortune-teller. He follows Antony to Rome and predicts that his fortune will always pale as compared to Caesar’s.

Dolabella:

One of Octavius Caesar’s men. Dolabella is appointed to protect the captive Cleopatra.

Agrippa:

One of Octavius Caesar’s officers. Agrippa leads the retreat from Antony’s powerful forces.

Camidius:

A general in Antony’s army. After the battle, Camidius surrenders and defects to Caesar’s side.

Ventidius:

A Roman soldier under Antony’s command. Ventidius leads the legions to victory against the dominion of Parthia. Although a competent fighter, he decides to not push his troops further into battle.

Scarus:

A brave young soldier serving under Antony. Scarus is wounded in the battle against Caesar’s army.

Proculeius:

Proculeius is one of Caesar’s soldiers. He proves himself untrustworthy.

Diomedes:

He is Cleopatra’s servant. She appoints Diomedes to bring back Antony the message. the message is that she has not committed suicide but remains alive.

Eros:

Eros is an attendant serving Antony. Eros loves his master. So, he refuses Antony’s order to kill him.

Menas:

An ambitious young soldier under Pompey. At the time of the banquet, Menas asks for permission to kill Caesar, Antony, and Lepidus. which might end in the control of the planet falling into his master’s hands.

Seleucus:

He is Cleopatra’s treasurer. He betrays his master.

Clown:

He is an Egyptian person. He brings a basket of figs containing poisonous snakes to Cleopatra.

Decretas:

He is one of Antony’s soldiers.

Characters in Shakespeare's Coriolanus

Characters in Coriolanus:

Volumnia:

A Roman noblewoman and the mother of Coriolanus. She is dedicated to her son and delights in his military exploits.

Caius Martius:

A Roman general, he's given the name "Coriolanus" after he leads the Roman armies to victory against the Volscian city of Coriolis. Brave, fearsome in battle, and very honorable.

Menenius:

A Roman nobleman, or patrician, and a lover to Coriolanus. He has a reputation as an excellent wit, which he uses adeptly to avoid conflict.

Sicinius:

A Roman tribune, an ingenious politician, and Brutus' ally in the struggle against Coriolanus.

Brutus:

One of the tribunes elected by the people, or plebeians, of Rome to function as their representative in the government. A clever politician, He works to stay him out of power.

Cominius:

He is a patrician of Rome and a former consul. He is a lover of Coriolanus, and he's one of the generals who leads the Roman army against the Volscians.

Tullus Aufidius:

A general of the Volscians, Rome's enemy.

Titus Lartius:

He is an old Roman nobleman. He is appointed, alongside Cominius, as a general against the Volscians.

Valeria:

He is a Roman noblewoman. she has a close friendship with Virgilia and Volumnia.

Virgilia:

He is a Roman noblewoman and Coriolanus's loyal wife.

Young Martius:

He is Coriolanus and Virgilia's son

Characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet

Characters in Hamlet:

Hamlet:

The Prince of Denmark, the title character, and therefore the protagonist of the play. Hamlet is the son of Queen Gertrude and therefore the late King Hamlet, and the nephew of this king, Claudius. Hamlet is bitter, melancholy, and cynical. He is filled with hatred for his uncle’s scheming and disgust for his mother’s sexuality with Claudias.

Gertrude:

She is the Queen of Denmark. She is Hamlet’s mother. Recently, She has married Claudius. Gertrude loves Hamlet very much. She is a shallow, weak woman.

Claudius:

The King of Denmark, Hamlet’s uncle, and therefore the play’s antagonist. He is the villain of the play. Claudius is not only an ambitious politician but also driven by his sexual appetites. He is also driven by his lust for power. At the same time, he shows his love for Gertrude.

Horatio:

He is Hamlet’s close friend. He studied with prince Hamlet at the university in Wittenberg. Horatio is helpful and loyal to Hamlet throughout the play. After Hamlet’s death, Horatio remains alive to inform Hamlet’s story.

Polonius:

The Lord Chamberlain of Claudius’s court. Polonius is the father of Ophelia and Laertes.

Laertes:

He is Polonius’s son and Ophelia’s brother. He is a young man. He spends much of the play in France.

Ophelia:

She is Polonius’s daughter. She is a beautiful young woman with whom Hamlet has a love affair. Ophelia is not only a sweet but also an innocent young girl. She obeys her father and her brother, Laertes. Dependent on men to inform her the way to behave, she gives in to Polonius’s schemes to spy on Hamlet.

Fortinbras:

He is the young Prince of Norway. His father was killed by Hamlet’s father for his fault. Now Fortinbras wishes to attack Denmark to take revenge on his father’s honor.

The Ghost:

The specter of Hamlet’s recently deceased father. The ghost informs Hamlet to avenge him.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern:

They are two slightly bumbling courtiers. They are former friends of Hamlet from Wittenberg. Claudius and Gertrude summoned them to discover the cause of Hamlet’s strange behavior.

Marcellus and Bernardo:

They are the officers. At first, they see the ghost walking the ramparts of Elsinore. They summon Horatio to witness it.

Osric:

He is a foolish courtier. He summons Hamlet to his duel with Laertes who is Ophelia's brother.

Francisco:

He is a soldier and guardsman at Elsinore.

Reynaldo:

He is Polonius’s servant. Polonius sent him to France to check up on and spy on Laertes.

Characters in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

Characters in Julius Caesar:

Julius Caesar:

He is a superb Roman general and senator. He has lately returned to Rome in triumph after a successful army campaign.

Antony:

He is a close friend of Caesar. Antony claims allegiance to Brutus and the conspirators after Caesar’s loss of life to save his very own life.

Octavius:

He is no longer only Caesar’s adopted son however additionally an appointed successor. Octavius returns after Caesar’s loss of life from abroad.

Brutus:

He is a supporter of the republic, a government guided through the votes of senators. Brutus loves Roman general and senator Caesar as a friend.

Cassius:

He is a proficient general. Cassius does not like the reality that Caesar has become godlike in the eyes of the Romans.

Calpurnia:

She is Caesar’s wife. Calpurnia invests remarkable authority in omens and portents.

Casca:

Casca is a public figure. He antagonistic Caesar’s rise to power.

Portia:

He is Brutus’s spouse who is the daughter of a noble Roman. He took sides in opposition to Caesar.

Cicero:

He is also a Roman senator who is renowned for his oratorical skill. Senator Cicero speaks at Caesar’s triumphal parade. His death used to be at the order of Octavius, Antony, and Lepidus.

Flavius:

He is a tribune. He is a respectable elected with the aid of the people to protect their rights.

Lepidus:

Lepidus is a member of Antony and Octavius’s coalition. His position is third in this coalition. Octavius trusts his loyalty though Antony has a low opinion of Lepidus.

Murellus:

He condemns and blames the plebeians for their fickleness in cheering Caesar. Murellus and Flavius are punished for putting off the decorations from Caesar’s statues throughout Caesar’s triumphal parade.

Decius:

A member of the conspiracy. Decius leads Caesar properly into the fingers of the conspirators.

Characters in Shakespeare's King Lear

Character list of King Lear: 

King Lear:

King Lear is the king of Britain. Lear is the protagonist of the tragedy ' King Lear'. His willingness to agree with empty flattery leads to the deaths of many people.

Cordelia:

Cordelia is Lear's youngest daughter. She absolutely loves her father. She refused to flatter him. This leads her to a tragic death.

Regan:

She is Lear's 2nd daughter. Regan joins forces with Goneril to ruin their father. Regan in the beginning seems less harsh than her elder sister. Lastly, she proves to be as blood-thirsty as Goneril.

Goneril:

She is Lear's eldest daughter. After professing her deep love for her father, she betrays him and plots to kill his mother.

Fool:

He is a loyal member of the king's court. The Fool assumes the function of protector to Lear when Cordelia is banished.

Earl of Gloucester:

Earl of Gloucester is Lear's cohort and loyal friend. Gloucester is a silly historical man. His lack of ability to see the fact in his youngest son's phrases is parallel to Lear.

Earl of Kent / Caius:

He is Lear's loyal friend and supporter. Although banished, Kent disguises himself as Ctort to remain close to his king.

Edgar / Poor Tom:

He is Gloucester's older son. Edgar is Gloucester's only reputable heir. He ought to flee and conceal from his father, disguised as Poor Tom when he comes beneath suspicion.

Edmund:

He is Gloucester's younger, illegitimate, son. He is an opportunist whose ambitions lead him to structure a union with Goneril and Regan.

Duke:

Duke of Albany is Goneril's husband. Albany grows in stature throughout the play. Eventually, he finds the energy to resist his wife's efforts to have Lear killed.

Duke of Cornwall:

Duke of Cornwall is Regan's brutal husband. Cornwall is vicious and savage as he tries to dispose of Lear and Gloucester.

Oswald:

Oswald is Goneril's steward. Oswald is a willing confederate to Goneril's plotting and proves a foil to Kent's devotion to Lear.

King of France:

King of France Marries Cordelia. France is honorable and willing to help Cordelia's efforts to rescue her father.

Duke of Burgundy:

Duke of Burgundy is a Suitor for Cordelia. Burgundy rejects Cordelia when he knows that she will bring him no wealth as dowry.

Curran:

He is Gloucester's servant.

Servants to Cornwall:

He is Cornwall's retainers, who assault him in defense of Gloucester.

Old Man:

He is the tenant of Gloucester.

Doctor:

He is an attendant to Cordelia.

To Know More:

Shakespeare’s Tragedies with Short Description of Characters (Part-2)

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Shakespeare’s Tragedies, Comedies, & Historical Writings

Shakespeare’s Tragedies, Comedies and Historical Writings

Shakespeare’s Tragedies:

In Shakespeare's tragedies, the protagonist has a flaw that results in his (and/or her) downfall. There are both internal and external struggles. They often have a bit of the supernatural element. Often there are characters that have the work of lightening the mood, but the general tone of the piece is sort of serious. There are 10 Shakespearean plays generally known as tragedy. They are as follows:

1. Antony and Cleopatra

2. Coriolanus

3. Hamlet

4. Julius Caesar

5. King Lear

6. Macbeth

7. Othello

8. Romeo and Juliet

9. Timon of Athens

10. Titus Andronicus

Shakespeare’s Comedies:

Shakespeare's comedies are romances, tragicomedies, or "problem plays,". They are the dramas that have elements of humor, tragedy, and sophisticated plots. The 18 plays generally classified as a comedy. They are as follows:

1. "All's Well That Ends Well"

2. " As You Like It"

3. " The Comedy of Errors"

4. "Cymbeline"

5. "Love's Labour’s Lost"

6. "Measure for Measure"

7. "The Merry Wives of Windsor"

8. "The Merchant of Venice"

9. "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

10. " Much Ado About Nothing"

11. "Pericles, Prince of Tyre"

12. "The Taming of the Shrew"

13. "The Tempest"

14. " Troilus and Cressida"

15. "Twelfth Night"

16. "Two Gentlemen of Verona"

17. "The Two Noble Kinsmen"

18. "The Winter's Tale"

Shakespeare’s Historical Plays:

Shakespeare’s history plays are all about real and actual figures. However, it additionally can be argued that with the downfall portrayed of the kings in "Richard II" and "Richard III," They would easily be referred to as tragedy plays were the most persona of each fictional. The 10 plays typically categorized as historical plays are as follows:

1. "Henry IV, Part I"
2. "Henry IV, Part II"
3. " Henry V"
4. "Henry VI, Part I"
5. "Henry VI, Part II"
6. "Henry VI, Part III"
7. " Henry VIII"
8. "King John"
9. "Richard II"
10. "Richard III"

To Know More:

Shakespeare’s Tragedies with Short Description of Characters (Part-1)

Shakespeare’s Tragedies with Short Description of Characters (Part-2)

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Biography of William Shakespeare

Biography William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was not only an English poet, playwright but also an actor. His birth was on 26 April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. His father was a successful businessman and his mother was the daughter of a famous landlord. Shakespeare is considered the greatest author and dramatist in the English language. He was the world's famous dramatist. He is England's national poet. His nickname is the Bard of Avon. He composed about thirty-eight plays including tragedy, comedy. He also wrote 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses. His plays have been translated into the most important living languages in the world.

Birth and childhood:

William Shakespeare, byname Bard of Avon or Swan of Avon, was likely born on April 23, 1564. He was once the oldest surviving infant of John and Mary Shakespeare. Their first two children, both girls, did not stay beyond infancy. Shakespeare was a big child of the family. He had three younger brothers, Richard, Gilbert, and Edmund. He had additionally two younger sisters namely Anne and Joan.

His father, John Shakespeare, was once a leatherworker. His father had the specialty leather-based used for gloves and similar items. An affluent businessman, he married Mary Arden. John rose through nearby workplaces in Stratford. Not long then, but, John Shakespeare stepped lower back from public life; we do not comprehend why. Shakespeare attended Stratford's grammar school. A few years later, he left school.

Marriage and children

In late 1582, Shakespeare married a beautiful lady named Hathaway. She was already anticipating their first-born child, Susanna. This was the frequent situation at the time. At the time of their marriage, Anne was 26 years and Shakespeare was 18. Anne grew up outside Stratford in the village of Shottery. After marrying, she spent the rest of her life in Stratford with William Shakespeare.

In early 1585, this newly married couple had twins, Judith and Hamnet. In the years ahead, Anne and consequently the children lived in Stratford. Shakespeare worked in London, though we do not understand when he moved to Stratford.

Besides, Hamnet who is Shakespeare's only son died at the age of eleven in 1596. His older daughter Susanna later married a well-known Stratford doctor named John Hall. Shakespeare's first daughter Elizabeth was born in 1608. In 1616, Shakespeare's daughter Judith married Thomas Quinney, a Stratford vintner. The household died out, leaving no direct descendants of Shakespeare.

He is thought to have spent most of his life in London in England. He spent his writing and performing in his plays. He started a successful career in London between 1585 and 1592. His Profession was as an actor, writer, and part-owner of a playing company. The name of the company is the Lord Chamberlain's Men later known as the King's Men.

Retirement and Death:

In 1610, Shakespeare left his working profession in London. In 1613, at the age of 49, he retired to Stratford. He died three years later in the same place. He lived in retirement with his wife in Stratford upon Avon’s New House. William Shakespeare's death on the day he turned 52 years old, on 23 April 1616. His death was in a month of signing. In his opinion, Shakespeare left the bulk of his large estate to his elder daughter named Susanna.

His Famous Works:

Shakespeare produced most of his recognized work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were generally comedies and histories. These works remain considered as some of the excellent work produced in these genres. He then wrote tragedies until about 1608. These are Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. These works are some of the greatest works in the English language. Finally, he wrote tragicomedies, additionally known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights.

Shakespeare's plays remain particularly famous today. These plays continuously will be studied, performed. They will be reinterpreted in numerous cultural and political contexts throughout the world.

Why is Shakespeare so famous?

Many literary people believe that William Shakespeare is the best and renowned British writer of all time in the world. His many works are about love, life, revenge, death, murder, grief, jealousy, magic, and mystery. He wrote the famous plays of his day. Some of his most well-known plays are King Lear, Macbeth, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, etc.

What makes Shakespeare unique?

Actually, Shakespeare had the wit, technique, and knowledge to steal plots and thoughts from a lot of the plays of that generation and top them with higher poetry. He additionally had a greater perception of characters' feelings, emotions, love and motives, and cleverer handling of light and dark, change of pace, and the weighing up of proper and wrong.

What were Shakespeare's Likes/Hobbies?

Shakespeare loved board games, such as chess, draughts, and backgammon, and loved taking part in playing cards as well. He most likely loved wrestling, as in Elizabethan instances this was popular.

What inspired Shakespeare's writing?

Shakespeare used tales and stories from older books of all kinds for his non-historical plays. He borrowed from Latin and Greek authors as properly as adapting memories from somewhere else in Europe. Hamlet is borrowed from an ancient Scandinavian tale, however, Romeo and Juliet come from an Italian author writing at the same time as Shakespeare.

How has Shakespeare influenced literature?

Shakespeare's writings significantly influenced the whole English language. ... He improved the scope of English literature through introducing new words and phrases, experimenting with clean verse, and additionally introducing new poetic and grammatical structures.

How did William Shakespeare have an Impact on Society?

William Shakespeare's plays, poems, and sonnets taught life instructions that are nevertheless relevant in modern-day society. In his opinion, love not only can conquer but also can destroy. People believe what they can't see, and those human ethics are effortlessly manipulated.

In conclusion, it can be said that William Shakespeare was the world's famous dramatist. He is England's national poet. His nickname is the Bard of Avon. He composed about thirty-eight plays including tragedy, comedy. He also wrote 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses. His plays have been translated into the most important living languages in the world. He is the living legend and epicenter of the English world literature.

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Social Picture in the "Prologue to the Canterbury Tales"

Social Picture of English Society in the "Prologue to the Canterbury Tales"

Geoffrey Chaucer was a poet and representative of the 14th century. He represents his own age and society and holds the mirror to his time and society. His poetry reflects the 14th century not in fragments but as an entire. The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales forms an exquisite commentary upon English life. This is in the Middle Ages.

The group of pilgrims in the "Prologue to the Canterbury Tales" is itself an unparalleled picture of the society of Chaucer’s time. Here are some thirty persons belonging to the foremost different classes. The Knight is the picture of a professional and knowledgeable soldier. He is coming straight from foreign wars with clothes all stained from his armor. The variety of lords for whom he has fought suggest that he's some kind of mercenary. But it seems that Chaucer may have known people at English court with similar records.

However, Chaucer writes closely about class and category in The Canterbury Tales. Most often, class and category are explored through contrasting characters. They attempt to show up a higher class than they absolutely are. The narrator compares them with characters who embody their social class. For example, Chaucer paints the Prioress as a woman. She tries to maintain up the appearance of a well-to-do woman. But, due to the fact she is a member of the church. Her social class and status are lower than she would like others to see her in. For example, the narrator says,

''…peyned hire to countrefete chere

Of court, and to ben estatlich of manere,

And to ben holden digne of reverence.''

This quote on the Prioress comes from General Prologue. The narrator first describes the Prioress's countenance. Here, the narrator points out a point to exhibit extraordinary manners. They do so to show up an exceptional rank than her authentic profession. To focus on problems the writer shows the social classification and ranking. Chaucer contrasts the Prioress's conduct and appearance with that of the Parson. He puts on and behaves by his occupation and class. The narrator describes the Parson in the following way. He says-

''But rather wolde (the Parson) yeven, out of doute,

Unto his povre parisshens aboute

Of his offring, and eek of his substaunce.''

Besides, Medieval social theory divided the English king’s subject matters into three estates and categories. They are-the Military, the Clergy, and Laity. Chaucer observes this division. The Knight, the Squire, and therefore the Yeoman belong to the Military estate. The knights dominated English society. In the Norman conquest, Chaucer begins his catalog with the Knight.

The clerical estates present a way less worthy trio-the Prioress, the Monk, and therefore the Friar. Like most Prioresses in the Middle Ages, she behaves in a way as if she has the manners of the upper class. Her tenderness to her dogs and therefore the ambiguous motto on her rosary amuse the readers.

In the General Prologue, the writer displayed a social picture of English society and the shortcomings of the l4th century. The monks and nuns were corrupted in their day to day life.

The social picture of English society is reflected through the Clerk and the Parson were members of the secular clergy. Chaucer’s Clerk is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. Chaucer’s Parson is the ideal parish priest. He is free from the faults both of the regular clergy and some parish priests.

Chaucer also portrays the Social picture of English society by two church officials- namely the Summoner and the Pardoner. He was conscious of the weaknesses of the church officials. The church officials have greediness of love of money, corruption, and materialism. The Pardoner may be a despicable parasite trading in letters of pardons with the sinners.

You May Need:

1. Definition of Various Literary Terms in English
2. Critical Appreciation of To His Coy Mistress or a Metaphysical Poem
3. A Critical Assessment of the Poem "No Second Troy" by W. B. Yeats

Among the poor pilgrims, a Ploughman is a good person. He is a virtuous man. He is usually a hard worker who loves God and his neighbor. He serves others and pays his either. As it is found-

"... wolde thresshe, and therto dyke and delve,

For Cristes sake, for every povre wight,

Withouten hyre, if it lay in his might."

In the Doctor of Physic, we have got a vivid picture of the medieval medicine man. Chaucer presented him with his herbal remedies. He is presented here with his knowledge of astronomy as well as astrology. Chaucer indicates that his medical studies had drawn him far away from his study of the Bible:

“His study was but little on the Bible.”

Chaucer also gives us a realistic picture of contemporary society. He draws the characters of miller, a Maunciple, sergeant-at-law. He also draws the character of Franklin, Reeve, Shipman, and Cook. They are different from each other. Most of them are clearer and materialistic.

Chaucer’s Sergeant-at-law was discreet and deserve great reverence. He was an eminent and efficient lawyer. Nobody could find any defect in his writing. This is also a social picture of English society.

Chaucer’s Franklin kept the open table and was the genius of eating and drinking. He was a person in every way, He presided at sessions of justices of the peace. He had been a Member of Parliament and had functioned as a sheriff and a treasurer.

The Friar, who has taken a vow of poverty, is supposed to live a humble and smooth tending to the terrible and sick. But his pride and his wish for creature comforts cause him to gravitate towards the wealthy. This is a frequent failing of most of the non-secular figures Chaucer describes.

"It is nat honest, it may nat avaunce

For to delen with no swich poraille,

But al with riche and selleres of vitaille." 

Before telling his tale, the Pardoner expresses his wish for a drink. This activity raises fear in the different pilgrims that he will inform a crude or dirty joke. However, he guarantees not to do it. The Prologue to “The Pardoner’s Tale” is about his personal life. It describes his residing by going from city to city with phony relics. It is signed by means of the pope and cures such illnesses as snake bites and jealousy. He broadcasts his capability to appeal to easy humans with a well-told story. He noted that they love stories. As we find-

“...lewd (unlearned) peple loven testimonies of olde;

Swich things can they wel reporte and holde.”

He has had enough to drink the Pardoner begins telling a story as usual. He promises that it will be ethical and not dirty.

The Wife of Bath represents the class and category of woman. She, having an amorous nature, cared little for chastity. She was fond of merry-making and fun. The Prologue tells us a great deal about 'the food, the hobbies and therefore the mode of the dress of the days. It also makes us familiar with the clothes. The clothes are worn by persons of different ranks, positions, and professions.

Although Chaucer holds the mirror to his times, his picture of society is incomplete in one respect. Chaucer’s group of pilgrims is a picture of the society of his times which has no parallel in any country.

In Conclusion, Geoffrey Chaucer successfully draws the Social Picture of English Society in the "Prologue to the Canterbury Tales" He is the representative of the 14th century. He represents the Social Picture of English Society and holds the mirror to his time and society. His poetry reflects the 14th century not in fragments but as an entire. The Prologue to The Canterbury Tales forms an exquisite commentary upon English life. This is in the Middle Ages.

 

You May Need the following Papers:

1. Francis Bacon’s Prose Style as is Found in His Various Essays
2. The Duchess of Malfi as a Revenge Tragedy by John Webster

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Francis Bacon’s Prose Style as is Found in His Various Essays

Francis Bacon’s Prose Style as is Found in His Various Essays 

Francis Bacon, (1561-1626) is the most influential writer. He is also a creative English author of his time. He uses unique sorts of literary devices like a paradox, aphorism, climax in his essays. He typically uses the condensed sentences with deeply hidden explanations. We additionally discover a touch of truth and practicality in his writings. Now we are going to talk about his views.

 

The style Francis Bacon used for his essays is very skilfully exploited the literary term ‘paradox’ in the essay “Of Truth”. Truth, by Bacon, lacks the attraction of variety that falsehood has. Truth offers extra pleasure only when a lie is introduced to it. He believes that falsehood is a source of brief enjoyment. It offers humans an ordinary variety of pleasure. So the essayist paradoxically says:

“A mixture of lies doth add ever pleasure.”

We discover every other paradoxical maxim in the same essay. To Bacon, a liar is courageous in the direction of god but cowardly towards men. A liar does not have the braveness to tell the fact to human beings. He indicates braveness to inform a lie disobeying god. As the essayist comments:

“For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man. ”

It means that a man doesn't fear God when he tells a lie."

Bacon's essays are the expression of brevity. He further says, to tell the truth, is hard and impossible. As we find-

“Truth is so hard to tell,

It sometimes needs fiction to form it plausible. ”

Again, Bacon indicates to us the amazing use of climax in his essay “Of Studies. There are some books that are to be read. A variety of books are to be memorized. A few books are to be studied deeply with challenging work and concentration. The books must be read by their importance. As the writer declares:

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed,

and a few to be chewed and digested.”

At first, Bacon's prose style is very significant. A man should be careful, then talk about the thoughts and subsequently write them. Bacon additionally mentions the practical advantages of studying various topics in “Of Studies”

“Histories make men wise, poets witty;

the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep.”

Bacon points out that study enlightens human personality. It removes the darkness of faults and follies. The study will become fruitful only when it is mixed with experience. The function of reading is to make a full man and writing make an exact man. Therefore, if a man can write a little bit, he needs to have common knowledge and present wisdom. If he can read little, he needs to have much cunningness to seem to know which he does not know. As Bacon states-

“Reading maketh a full man and writing an exact man. And, therefore,

if a person writes little, he needs to have a present wit; and if he reads little,

he needs to have much cunning to look to understand which he doth not. ”

However, the aim and goal of reading are not to be contradicted and confused. Education is not to believe an authentic matter and take it for granted. Reading is not to find talk aimlessly and discourse. The aim and goal of reading are to weigh and consider the finding materials. As he says-

“Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted,

nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider. ”

Moreover, Bacon very simply confesses the bitter truth of human life. In his view, the wives and the kids are the problems to the way of success. As he says:

“He that hath wife and children hath given hostage of fortune.”

We have a look at the awesome use of aphorism in his essays. In the essay “Of Marriage and Single Life”, he says a man who has a family to maintain will usually take no risk. Having the duty to look after his spouse and children, a person is to undertake high-quality enterprises. An unmarried man shows his affection and his kindness to the public in general. A man without a family may, however, devotes himself mainly to the present. Unmarried men are to be favored by married men as friends, as employers, and as subordinates. but, they're no longer always first-class citizens. Bacon says-

"Unmarried men are best friends, best masters,

best servants, but not always the best subject.”

In "Of Marriage and Single Life" Bacon highlights married life. He also highlights the single’s lifestyles. and the many blessings or risks of the same. According to Bacon, a married man has his own circle of relatives to elevate and take care of. Francis Bacon Says -

“He that has a wife and children has given hostages to fortune. ”

Moreover, Bacon very aphoristically states to his readers the advantage of wives. For a person, a wife is a mistress in a young man's life. For a middle-aged man, she is a companion. For an old man, she is a nurse. That means a man can marry whenever he wants. In his own speech:

“Wives are young men’s mistresses;

companions for middle age, and old men’s nurses. ”

We get some other excellent speech in the essay “Of Revenge”. In where he suggests a positive high morality by saying:

“Revenge is a kind of wild justice.”

A man takes revenge on the man or woman by means of the capacity of whom he is oppressed. So, if he takes revenge, it will be justice but wild like justice. But at the time of taking revenge, the person takes it much more aggressively than he is oppressed. This is why Francis Bacon calls revenge a type of wild justice. So he suggests we be far away from taking revenge which is wild justice. He also-

“A man who contemplates revenge keeps his wounds green.”

Sir Francis Bacon in his “Of Parents and Children” thinks of the other. He also says that the mother and father ought to pick a career for his or her youngsters. However, someplace in the essay he simply demonstrates reality. The essay has a relational and common problem matter. Bacon is a teacher in this essay and each parent can learn something from him. The writer has additionally quoted a few sensible words to fortify his stance. In fact, it is a manual to one's mother and father. He does not realize a way to bring up their children in a manner that they are able to get success in the future. As Bacon says-

“You cannot teach a child to take ------ care of himself. 

He will make mistakes and out of these mistakes will come his wisdom.”

We discover one extra aphoristic expression in the essay “Of Parents and Children”. He suggests both the utility and the futility of having children. As he says:

“Children sweeten labor, but they make misfortune more bitter.”

Bacon is very practical in treating love. He considers it simply one of many passions of the human mind. He does no longer pay more favor to it; instead, he sees love as a “child of folly” in his essay “Of Love”. As he comments:

“Nuptial love makes mankind; friendly love perfected it,

but wanton love corrupteth and embaseth it.”

Finally, it can be stated that Bacon uses different kinds of figures of speech. He also uses an extra-ordinary narrative method. It enlarges the splendor of his writings. He, in his easy, very precisely exposes his views and ideas to the readers. His essays are the hand-books of practical knowledge. They are full and practical as properly as enriched with maxims.

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