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1. What is the genre of Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth' ?
Ans. Tragedy
2. Which of the following best describes Macbeth's tragic flaw?
Ans. Ambition
3. The witches' prophecies play a significant role in Macbeth's downfall. What is the primary theme associated with these prophecies?
Ans. Power
4. Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene is a turning point in the play. What emotion is she struggling with during this scene?
Ans. Guilt
Defination of the Aristotle's Tragedy
Aristotle's concept of tragedy, as outlined in his work "Poetics," defines it as a dramatic genre that evokes pity and fear through the portrayal of a protagonist's downfall due to a tragic flaw or error in judgment. The purpose is to achieve catharsis, or emotional purification, for the audience.
Wordsworth
1. Spontaneity and Initial Emotion:
Wordsworth suggests that poetry begins with a burst of intense emotions. When a poet experiences a powerful feeling, that moment becomes the starting point for poetry. This spontaneity emphasizes that poetry is deeply connected to the poet’s immediate, genuine emotional responses. It’s not about crafting something artificial or mechanical but capturing the raw essence of what the poet feels at the moment.
2. Recollection in Tranquillity:
After the initial emotional experience, the poet then reflects on these feelings in a calm and thoughtful state. This “recollection in tranquillity” is a period where the poet processes and contemplates the emotions. This reflection allows the poet to shape and refine these raw feelings into a coherent and meaningful poetic expression. It ensures that the emotions are not just spontaneous but also thoughtfully articulated and presented in a way that resonates with readers.
Wordsworth’s Poetic Philosophy in Context:
- Language of Common People:
Wordsworth believed that poetry should be written in the language of ordinary people, not in the lofty or elaborate style often used by poets of his time. By using everyday language, poetry becomes more relatable and accessible. This approach aligns with his idea that poetry should emerge from genuine, relatable experiences and emotions.
- Focus on Nature and Common Life:
Wordsworth often drew inspiration from nature and the lives of ordinary individuals. He believed that profound insights and emotions could be found in the simplicity of everyday life and the natural world. His poems frequently explore these themes, reflecting his belief that the beauty and significance of life are best captured through simple, authentic experiences.
-Purpose of Poetry:
For Wordsworth, the purpose of poetry was not merely to entertain but to evoke deep emotional and intellectual responses. Poetry should engage readers by helping them understand their own emotions and connect with universal human experiences. It’s about creating a space where readers can reflect on their feelings and the world around them through the lens of the poet’s experiences.
Conclusion
In summary, Wordsworth’s definition of poetry highlights the interplay between immediate emotional responses and thoughtful reflection. He saw poetry as a genuine expression of feelings, articulated through accessible language and focused on the beauty of everyday life and nature. This approach aims to provide readers with both emotional resonance and intellectual insight, making poetry a powerful tool for understanding and experiencing the world.
Mary Shelley
Born in London, on August 30,1797, as Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, she was the daughter of the renowned political philosophers and revolutionary writers William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft. An English novelist, short story writer, dramatists, essayist, biographer, and travel writer, she was best known for her Gothic novel..
Frankenstein: or,
The Modern Prometheus (1818).
Having lost her mother when she was barely eleven days old, Mary and her older half-sister,Fanny Imlay, were reared by their father and provided rich education. Mary was encouraged by her father to adhere to his liberal political theories. IN 1814, she began a romantic relationship with the married Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of her father's political followers. Together they fled to Europe, and upon their return Mary was expecting their first child. In 1816,Mary began to write what she assumed would be a short story. In July of the same year, Mary and Percy explored the Mer de Glace at Chamonix, a major inspiration for her novel. Mary and Percy finally married in December 1816, after Shelley's first wife, Harriet, committed suicide.
The Shelleys moved to Marlow in 1817. Mary's debutant novel, Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus, was completed in May and was first published in January 1818 as a new novel from an anonymous author. In November 1817, History of a Six Week's Tour--a travelogue from Mary and Percy's escape to Europe--Was published. The couple, after travelling across various cities in Italy, returned to Rome in March 1819 were Mary wrote Mathilda, a semi-autobiographical novella on the theme of Father-daughter incestuous love. But this was only released around 1959, after more than a century of her death. In November 1819,Mary gave birth to their son, Percy Florence, the only chilled to live to adulthood.
though a devoted wife, Mary did not have the easiest marriage Riddled with adultery, heartache, and the death of their children , their relationship stood the test of time, IN 1822, after losing a lot of blood in a miscarriage, Mary nearly died.It was the quick-thinking efforts of her husband that have saved her. In Julu 1822,her life was rocked by another tragedy. percy and Edward who were sailing to lrghorn,were lost in a sea august 1823, resolving to live for her son.
Socrates has been talked about in the first video. When Socrates is given a cup of poison, he says..
" कीटो,हम पर एस्क्लोपियस का एक मुर्गा बकाया है । उसे जरूर चुका देना "
Socrates was from the ancient Greeks. And he had two disciples. One of them was Plato. And how he got the name Socrates is also said in it. And this video also has Socrates method. And Socrates is given a poison called 'Hemlock'.
From this it is learned that everything should be seen in different ways and should not be seen from one side.
This blog is a part of the study activity provided by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir.
Comparative analysis of Chaucer , Spenser, and Shakespeare as poets conduct a comparative analysis of Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare. Foucous on their Poetic style, themes, contributions to English literature and their influence on subsequent literary traditions.
Ans.
Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare are three of the most important poets in English lit. They lived in different times, had different styles, but all of them left a big mark on how poetry and stories are written in English. Let’s break down what each of them brought to the table.
1. Style
- Chaucer (c. 1343-1400):
Chaucer is like the grandfather of English poetry. Before him, people mainly wrote in Latin or French, but he was one of the first to write serious stuff in English. His most famous work, 'The Canterbury Tales', is written in a style that's pretty straightforward, using rhymed couplets (pairs of rhyming lines) and a steady rhythm that’s easy to follow. Chaucer’s style is all about being observant, using humor and irony to paint a picture of society.
- Spenser (1820-1903):
Spenser’s style is like super fancy and artistic. He wrote 'The Faerie Queene', an epic poem that uses a special kind of stanza (called the Spenserian stanza) that’s all about making the lines sound beautiful. Spenser liked using old-school words to give his poetry a classic feel, and he packed his writing with tons of symbolism and deeper meanings.
- Shakespeare (1564-1616):
Shakespeare’s style is just versatile. He could do it all—from beautiful, emotional sonnets to dramatic plays. He’s famous for using blank verse, which is basically unrhymed lines with a rhythmic pattern, making his work sound natural but still poetic. His writing is full of clever wordplay, deep metaphors, and emotional intensity.
2. Themes
- Chaucer:
Chaucer’s themes are all about society and human behavior. In 'The Canterbury Tales', he gives us a snapshot of people from all walks of life, from knights to peasants, and explores how they interact. He talks a lot about social class, religion, and the different ways people act, often using humor and satire to make his point.
- Spenser:
Spenser’s themes are deeply tied to the ideals of his time. 'The Faerie Queene' is one long, epic quest, but it’s also a big metaphor for moral and spiritual struggles. He’s all about exploring virtues like holiness, justice, and self-control, showing how hard but important it is to be a good person in a world full of challenges.
- 'Shakespeare:
Shakespeare’s themes cover pretty much everything you can think of—love, power, betrayal, and the human condition. His sonnets often deal with love and time, while his plays dig into the darker sides of ambition, jealousy, and the nature of fate. He’s a master at exploring what makes people tick and why we do the things we do.
3. Contributions to English Literature
- Chaucer:
Chaucer’s biggest contribution was making English a legit language for serious writing. Before him, if you wanted to write something important, you did it in Latin or French. But Chaucer’s 'Canterbury Tales' showed that English could be just as powerful and expressive, paving the way for all the English literature that came after him.
- Spenser:
Spenser’s main contribution is in how he structured his poetry. He created the Spenserian stanza, which influenced many poets who came after him. His work, especially 'The Faerie Queene', also helped establish the idea of an English epic—a long, narrative poem that tells the story of a nation’s values and struggles.
- Shakespeare:
Shakespeare’s impact on English literature is massive. He expanded what English poetry and drama could do, especially through his plays. He added new words and phrases to the language, explored complex characters, and set the standard for what poetry and storytelling could achieve. His work has influenced pretty much every writer who came after him.
4. Influence on Later Writers
- Chaucer:
Chaucer’s influence can be seen in later writers who admired his character-driven stories and social commentary. Writers like John Dryden and Alexander Pope looked up to him, and his work paved the way for English storytelling as we know it.
- Spenser:
Spenser’s influence lasted well into the 17th century. Poets like John Milton were inspired by his use of allegory and his detailed, symbolic storytelling. The Spenserian stanza also influenced poets like Byron and Keats.
- Shakespeare:
Shakespeare’s influence is everywhere. His plays and poems have inspired countless writers, poets, filmmakers, and artists. His exploration of human emotions and his inventive use of language make his work timeless, and it’s still being studied, adapted, and celebrated around the world.
Conclusion
Chaucer, Spenser, and Shakespeare each played a huge role in shaping English literature, but they did it in their own unique ways. Chaucer laid the groundwork by making English a respected literary language. Spenser expanded on that with his formal innovations and deep, moral themes. And Shakespeare took it all to the next level, creating works that are still considered the pinnacle of English literature. Together, they helped define what English poetry could be and set the stage for everything that followed.
This blog on pre viewing and post-viewing and observations for the movie screening of 'The Birthday Party'. Assigned by Megha ma...
