Mid Term Essay The two literary icons I chose to do the comparison and contrast portion of this Essay on are; Dante Alighieri (1265 – 1321) and Geoffrey Chaucer (1342 – 1400) who compositions were similar in theme, but significantly different in style. In analyzing Dante’s The Divine Comedy and Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, the common theme I found in each of these epic poems is the author’s firm grasp of human nature and their ability to humanize the character(s) in each of their works. In each of these classics, Dante and Chaucer masterfully animated not only the central character but their supporting characters as well. Their ability to taking the reader on a journey that is both believable and relatable is the main reason both of these epic poems continue to be held in such high regard. In addition, both Dante and Chaucer wrote their works in the vernacular or the commonly spoken language of the times.
Manuela Romero Belalcázar Foil Characters in Hamlet Hamlet is one of the most famous and influential characters throughout literature. Hamlet is unique due to his meditative and enigmatic nature. Throughout Hamlet, the contrast that foil characters provide, allows many of Hamlet’s distinct characteristics to become visible. Shakespeare displays the difference between Hamlet’s actions and those of Laertes’ and Fortinbrass’. Even in similar circumstances, Hamlet has a different approach than the other two foil characters to his father’s death.
Discuss the literary device of dramatic irony and the use made of it by J.B. Priestly in ‘An Inspector Calls’ An inspector calls was written in 1945 by J.B. Priestley and is set in 1912. J. B. Priestly has included a lot of dramatic irony; he uses it effectively to put forward the message of the play – community. Dramatic irony is the dramatic effect achieved by leading an audience to understand an incongruity between a situation and the accompanying speeches, while the characters in the play remain unaware of the incongruity (the free online dictionary). Another writer who uses dramatic irony effectively is William Shakespeare.
Many of William Shakespeare’s sonnets are similar in their subject matter and who they address, but contain varying tones. Two of Shakespeare’s sonnets that fit this description are “Sonnet 71” and “Sonnet 73”. While both sonnets are written for the speaker’s lover and deal with the subject of death dying, sonnet 71 depicts a pessimistic and morbid tone, while sonnet 73 illustrates a bittersweet one. The differences in tone can be attributed to Shakespeare’s word choice, his use of figurative language, and his vivid imagery. Death is the main theme of both sonnets but the tone may differ a little.
However, both poems were different in terms of purpose. Seemingly the imagery of both the poems revolve around similar but yet quite different notions. The imagery used in both poems revolve around the pictured relationships that both Fanthorpe and Harrison try to emphasise. This is expressed clearly in both pieces of work by the poetic features used by both poets, with Fanthorpe stating that 'you haven't both gone shopping' and that 'I believe ends with death', showing use of personal pronouns and varying it. Notably, Harrison also had a few change in pronouns which complimented his rhyme scheme and used repetition of the phase 'let me'.
“Compare the ways in which Larkin and Abse write about time and it’s passing.” In your response, you must include detailed critical discussion of Love Songs In Age and one other poem by Larkin. Many poems in Philip Larkin’s ‘The Whitsun Weddings’ are connected through one common factor: Larkin’s rather dismal attitude towards time and the passing of it. In many of his poems Larkin presents time as a menial entity resulting in an inevitable mortality. However, on further examination Larkin reflects back on time in a nostalgic manner. In order to emphasise Larkin’s outlooks onto time and it’s passing, one can highlight the similarities and differences between Larkin and Abse’s poetry.
The war poem collection could also be considered to face other aspects of war not necessarily the graphic events, but the hatred of civilians, justified details and distractions from war such as coping mechanisms. On the other hand many of Owen’s poems describe situations where emotions and unpleasant details could be seen as exaggerated, even though most of these could be seen as reconstructing the truth. ‘Dulce et Decorum Est’ is a poem from the collection written in 1918. The poem’s title is written in Latin and literally to English as “It is sweet and right to die for your Country”. At first glance it seems ironically patriotic, but when one starts to understand Wilfred Owen’s message to the reader, we can see his anger and protest against the military propaganda enlistment.
Analysis of Leda and the Swan´William Butler Yeats poem ³Leda and the Swan´, and its depiction of the rape of QueenLeda of Sparta can be viewed in many different lights. Some view it as a simple depiction of amyth, an example of Yeats¶ fascination with the mystic. Others claim its main theme representsthe ability of one event, no matter how strange or insignificant, can change the course of history.One interpretation even describes the poem as an expression of Yeats¶ own fantasies for MaudGonne.Appropriately for this latter theory, which claims Leda represents Maud Gonne and theSwan is Yeats himself, the poem is in Petrarchan form, a style that often focus on the theme of unattainable love. Yeats mostly adheres to the Petrarchan form of iambic pentameter in anoctave followed by a sestet, with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables. He doesnt,however, limit himself to these restrictions, yet sometimes takes liberties in places where anextra syllable or imperfect rhyme is acceptable or superior.
Within this particular sonnet, there is a great deal of talk about killing, such as in line four with “civil blood makes civil hands unclean,” strife as in line eight, and death as in lines eight and nine instead of speaking about a god- or goddess-like beloved and pursuit of love with him or her. However, even with that gaping difference, a sonnet is very fitting to open the play on another level. Romeo and Juliet did fall in love, but their love serves as an example of the unrequited love that is mentioned in sonnets. The couple never achieved their goal of having a happy life together, as is usually the case in the courtly love of the sonnet; as of “sonnet 18” an also part of Shakespeare’s majestic work. Sonnet 18 is conveyed through its monologue to be a sonnet which emphasises courtly love through its youthful wooing for the lovers heart.
Another example of Shakespeare’s use of these tools is lines five and six: Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines’ And often is his gold complexion dimmed—(Shakespeare 760) Shakespeare again uses personification in these two lines. Instead of saying the sun, Shakespeare says “the eye of heaven” which is more unique and creative. He depicts the sun and heaven as persons saying that heaven has an eye and then when speaking about the brightness of the sun he says “his complexion dimmed.” Again, we still can see the image he trying to create. We see a bright sun in the sky being dimmed by possibly clouds. By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimmed.