13 - A Song (Absent From Thee) Flashcards
Who wrote A Song (Absent From Thee)? When was it likely written?
John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester
Late 15th century
What did Wilmot gain a reputation for?
Being the “most wicked man in England”
Why was Wilmot considered to be wild?
Mistresses and affairs
How could Wilmot’s life be described?
Decadent and full of drama
Where was Wilmot educated? What did he join after completing his degree?
Oxford
The navy
What did Marvell describe Wilmot as?
The “Best of English Satirists”
What material did Wilmot write? Why was this significant?
“History of Insipids”
It criticised Charles II
What was Charles II known as? What kind of approach did he have to life?
“Merry Monarch”
Hedonistic
At what age did Wilmot die? What religion did he convert to before death?
31
Christianity
What did Wilmot demand happened to his “lewd writings”?
He wanted them destroyed
What 2 things did Wilmot focus on in his works?
Passion and sexual intimacy
Why are the brackets in the title important?
They emphasise the importance
Why might readers find Wilmot’s take on a Restoration song offensive?
It is full of sarcasm
