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Semester 1: English Poetry
Middle English Poetry: Chaucer - The General Prologue, Pardoner, The Nun, Additional Reading Doctor, Friar
Middle English Poetry: Chaucer
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Middle English poetry marks a period in English literature from the late 12th century to the late 15th century. This era is characterized by the use of the English language, incorporating dialectal variations and a rich cultural influence from Norman and French literature.
Overview of Middle English Poetry
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Chaucer is often regarded as the father of English literature. His works are pivotal in the transition from the Old and Middle English language, particularly through his use of vernacular English in poetry.
Geoffrey Chaucer
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The General Prologue serves as the introductory section of The Canterbury Tales. It presents a diverse group of characters traveling to Canterbury, each with unique backgrounds and stories. Chaucer's use of characterization highlights social classes, professions, and human behavior.
The General Prologue
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This tale critiques greed and corruption within society, particularly the Church. The Pardoner, a seller of indulgences, reveals the hypocrisy of his profession while delivering a moral lesson about the dangers of avarice.
The Pardoner's Tale
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A fable featuring animals, this tale emphasizes themes of pride and intelligence through the character of Chanticleer, a rooster. It reflects Chaucer's ability to blend humor with moral instruction.
The Nun's Priest's Tale
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These tales explore different aspects of society. The Doctor's Tale critiques moral integrity and medical ethics, while the Friar's Tale highlights the corrupt nature of some religious figures. Both contribute to the overarching narrative of social commentary in Chaucer's work.
Additional Reading: The Doctor and the Friar
Elizabethan Poetry: Spenser - Epithalamion, Donne - A Valediction forbidding mourning, The Canonization
Elizabethan Poetry
Overview of Elizabethan Poetry
The Elizabethan era, marked by the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, saw a flourishing of literature and poetry. Key characteristics include the exploration of themes such as love, beauty, mortality, and nature. The sonnet form became prominent during this period, largely influenced by Italian poets.
Edmund Spenser and Epithalamion
Edmund Spenser is known for his contributions to the sonnet form and narrative poetry. In 'Epithalamion', he celebrates his marriage, blending classical and romantic elements. The poem employs rich imagery and a complex structure, reflecting a deep sense of personal joy and communal celebration.
John Donne and A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning
John Donne's 'A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning' explores the theme of love and separation. The poem's famous metaphysical conceit compares the lovers' souls to a compass, illustrating their spiritual connection despite physical distance. It asserts that true love transcends mere physical presence.
John Donne and The Canonization
In 'The Canonization', Donne addresses the power of love and its elevation to a sacred status. The poem uses religious imagery to argue that true lovers can become saints through their love. It challenges societal norms and celebrates love as a transformative force.
Comparison of Spenser and Donne
Both Spenser and Donne explore themes of love but from different angles. Spenser's work is often celebratory and idealistic, while Donne's is more complex, addressing separation and the profundity of love. Their contrasting styles reflect the diverse nature of Elizabethan poetry.
Seventeenth Century Poetry: John Milton - Paradise Lost Book IX, Marvell - To His Coy Mistress
Seventeenth Century Poetry: John Milton - Paradise Lost Book IX, Marvell - To His Coy Mistress
John Milton and His Context
John Milton was a prominent poet of the seventeenth century, known for his profound impact on English literature. His works, particularly Paradise Lost, reflect the political and religious turbulence of his time, including themes of freedom, duty, and morality.
Paradise Lost Book IX Overview
Book IX of Paradise Lost describes the fall of man, focusing on the temptation of Eve by Satan. It explores themes of free will, obedience, and the consequences of rebellion against God. Milton's portrayal of the tragic moment emphasizes both the fragility and strength of human nature.
Eve's Temptation and Adam's Choice
This section examines the dynamics of temptation, where Eve's desire for knowledge leads her to disobey God. Adam's subsequent choice to partake in the forbidden fruit highlights themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships.
Themes in Paradise Lost
Notable themes in Book IX include the clash between good and evil, the nature of sin, and the loss of innocence. Milton's exploration of these themes contributes to a deeper understanding of the human condition and moral dilemmas.
Andrew Marvell and His Context
Marvell was a contemporary of Milton, known for his metaphysical poetry which often incorporated wit and playful language. His works reflect the same political and social tensions present during the seventeenth century.
To His Coy Mistress Overview
This poem uses the dramatic technique of persuasion to woo a young woman. Marvell explores themes of time, love, and mortality, employing vivid imagery to convey the urgency of seizing opportunities in romance.
Themes in To His Coy Mistress
Key themes include the transient nature of beauty and life, the importance of passionate love, and the interplay between time and desire. Marvell's arguments celebrate the intensity of love while confronting the inevitable passage of time.
Comparative Analysis of Milton and Marvell
Both poets grapple with complex themes related to love, temptation, and human nature. While Milton's approach is more somber and moralistic, Marvell employs a lighter, more playful tone. Together, they showcase the richness of seventeenth-century poetry.
Eighteenth Century Poetry: Dryden - Absalom and Achitophel (Lines 150–476), Gray - Elegy, The Bard, On a Favourite Cat Drowned in a Tub of Gold Fishes, Burns - Holy Willie’s Prayer, Auld Lang Syne
Eighteenth Century Poetry
A political satire written by John Dryden, it presents a conflict involving the biblical figures Absalom and Achitophel as an allegory for the political struggles in England.
Power and Ambition
Political Satire
Biblical Allegory
Heroic Couplet
Irony
Formal Language
The poem critiques the power dynamics of the time, focusing on rebellion and loyalty, reflecting Dryden's views on the monarchy and political factions.
This poem by Thomas Gray reflects on mortality and the lives of ordinary people, contemplating death in a rural setting.
Mortality
The Passage of Time
Common Man vs. Greatness
Elegiac Tone
Imagery of Nature
Stanzaic Structure
Gray's elegy emphasizes the quiet dignity of those buried in the churchyard, valuing their lives and contributions while pondering the inevitability of death.
A lyrical poem that dramatizes the story of a bard who curses Edward I, reflecting themes of nationalism and the power of art.
National Identity
Artistic Expression
Resistance
Imagery
Symbolism
Historical Reflection
The poem celebrates the role of the bard as a voice of the nation, intertwining history with poetic tradition and emphasizing the enduring power of art.
A humorous yet poignant poem that reflects on the fragility of life through the tale of a beloved cat.
Innocence and Loss
Nature of Death
Humor in Tragedy
Lighthearted Tone
Rhythmical Quality
Anthropomorphism
Gray uses humor and whimsy to address serious themes, showcasing how life is unpredictable and underscoring the emotional connection people have with their pets.
A satirical poem by Robert Burns, it presents a humorous take on religious hypocrisy through the prayer of a self-righteous parishioner.
Hypocrisy
Self-Righteousness
Faith and Doubt
Dialect
Irony
Colloquial Language
Burns critiques the moral pretensions of society while highlighting the complexities of faith through the voice of Holy Willie, blending humor with sharp social commentary.
A traditional Scottish song by Burns, often sung to celebrate the New Year, focusing on themes of friendship and reminiscence.
Nostalgia
Friendship
Time and Memory
Repetitive Structure
Folk Elements
Emotional Resonance
This poem resonates across time, capturing the essence of human connection and the value of shared memories, making it timeless in its appeal.
Modern Poetry: Rupert Brooke - The Soldier, Wilfred Owen - Anthem for Doomed Youth, W. H. Auden - Elegy on the Death of W. B. Yeats, Musee des Beaux Arts, Dylan Thomas - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, Poem in October, Philip Larkin - Whitsun Weddings, Ted Hughes - Hawk Roosting, Life After Death, Seamus Heaney - Digging, Carol Ann Duffy - Standing Female Nude, Eavan Boland - Achilles Woman
Rupert Brooke - The Soldier
The Soldier is a patriotic poem that glorifies the concept of dying for one's country. Brooke expresses the idea that a soldier's death in battle is noble and affirming, highlighting themes of honor, sacrifice, and the beauty of England.
Wilfred Owen - Anthem for Doomed Youth
This poem contrasts the romanticized images of war with the harsh realities faced by soldiers. Owen uses powerful imagery and sound devices to convey the despair and futility of war, emphasizing the lack of traditional mourning rituals for the fallen.
W. H. Auden - Elegy on the Death of W. B. Yeats
Auden reflects on the impact of Yeats's poetry and the loss to the literary world. The poem contemplates the role of poetry in times of despair and the enduring nature of artistic expression, even in the face of death.
W. H. Auden - Musee des Beaux Arts
This poem explores the indifference of humanity to suffering through the lens of art. Auden discusses how art captures human experiences and the universal truths about life, suffering, and the disconnect between individual pain and the world's ongoing nature.
Dylan Thomas - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Thomas addresses the inevitability of death while advocating for resistance against it. The villanelle form emphasizes the struggle against the dying of the light, connecting personal loss with universal themes of life and death.
Dylan Thomas - Poem in October
This poem reflects on renewal and the passage of time as the speaker celebrates his birthday. Thomas employs rich imagery of nature, blending personal introspection with the external world, symbolizing growth and change.
Philip Larkin - Whitsun Weddings
Larkin's poem explores the complex nature of love and marriage through the lens of ordinary experiences. The poem juxtaposes celebration with realism, capturing the transient moments of life and the bittersweet nature of human relationships.
Ted Hughes - Hawk Roosting
This poem presents the hawk as a symbol of power and dominance in nature. Hughes writes with stark imagery and a commanding voice, highlighting themes of survival, the primal instincts of the natural world, and the coldness of existence.
Ted Hughes - Life After Death
In this poem, Hughes contemplates the notions of life, death, and rebirth. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, he explores the cycle of existence and the idea of resilience in the face of mortality.
Seamus Heaney - Digging
Heaney reflects on his heritage and the act of writing as his form of digging. The poem contrasts his literary pursuits with the physical labor of his forebears, celebrating the beauty of craftsmanship in both writing and farming.
Carol Ann Duffy - Standing Female Nude
Duffy's poem explores themes of identity and objectification through the perspective of a female model. The poem challenges traditional representations of women in art while reflecting on the complex nature of femininity and self-perception.
Eavan Boland - Achilles
In this poem, Boland revisits the myth of Achilles from a female perspective, exploring themes of love, loss, and the female experience. She challenges the male-centric narrative of heroism, offering a nuanced view of strength and vulnerability.
