Ode to Melancholy

Ode to Melancholy Stanza I The first stanza tells what not to do: The sufferer should not “go to Lethe,” or forget their sadness (Lethe is the river of forgetfulness in Greek mythology); should not commit suicide (nightshade, “the ruby grape of Prosperpine,” is a poison; Prosperpine is the mythological queen of the underworld); and should not become obsessed with objects of death and misery (the beetle, the death-moth, and the owl). For, the speaker says, that will make the anguish of the soul drowsy, and the sufferer should do everything he can to remain aware of and alert to the depths of his suffering. No, no! go not to Lethe, neither twist Wolf's-bane, tight-rooted, for its poisonous wine; ·          Lethe: river in the underworld Hades in which souls about...

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Write an essay on the Age of Sensibility.

Write an essay on the Age of Sensibility. In the 18th century, an emotional sensitiveness found an expression in literature and gradually merged into the larger and deeper imaginative life of the Romantic Revival. It was Mathew Arnold who summed up the 18th century in English Literature as 'the age of prose and reason, our excellent and indispensable 18th century. The 18th century literature was the product of reason and intelligence playing upon the surface of life. It was commonly critical didactic and satirical. It produced poetry of argument and criticism of politics and personalities, and was couched in the heroic couplet which in the long run was bound to grow monotonous. As for the general social tone of the age "manners were coarse, politics scandalously corrupt, and the general...

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Critical Appreciation of 'The Solitary Reaper' By Wordsworth

Critical Appreciation of 'The Solitary Reaper' By Wordsworth Solitary Reaper is one of the finest Lyrical Ballads composed by Wordsworth. As Wordsworth always longed for human beauty that is surrounded by some natural objects, here in the poem he paints a girl singing spontaneously in Gaelic, a Celtic language, spoken in the Highlands of Scotland. The Poem has a message that poetry should not rely on artificial diction for it's effort. Rather It should be written with plain language and simple form so that each class can appreciate it's objective. The poem is a beauty in this regard. He wrote this poem in a rustic setting as real music can be sought in a pure natural setting. A maiden singing song while reaping with full-throat-ed-ease attracts poet's attention. Her song is melodious...

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Chaucer: Art of Characterization

Chaucer: Art of Characterization In the universe of English poetry, Chaucer flourishes the fantastic colours of his words and paints different characters of his age with minute observation. Indeed, he is a great painter who paints not with colours but with words. Undoubtedly, he has: “The Seeing Eye, the retentive memory, the judgment to select and the ability to expound.” His keen analysis of the minutest detail of his characters, their dresses, looks and manners enable him to present his characters lifelike and not mere bloodless abstractions. His poetical piece, “The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales” is a real picture gallery in which thirty portraits are hanging on the wall with all of their details and peculiarities. Rather it is a grand procession with all the life and movement,...

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