Comic Poetry - Context Flashcards
when was The Flea written (Donne)
1590s
what type of poet was Donne
metaphysical poet (using elaborate conceits or ideas to portray expression)
what traditional values did Donne subert in The Flea
in 1500s, ‘courtly love’ still the common way to court or marry a woman
his poetry is very intimate (written initially for friends/acquaintances), opposing this idea that love and marriage should be conducted in the public sphere
religion in The Flea
the flea functioning a receptacle for mingled bloods (‘three lives in one’) - possibly a parody of the holy spirit (God is simultaneously Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
possible view: narrator could be a Catholic man (believes that the blood of communion is literally the blood of Christ) and Protestant woman (does not believe that)
Swift personal background
a Juvenalian (characerised by roman man 'Juvenile' - involves satire) satirist Irish
when was A Satirical Elegy written
1722
who is the focus of A Satirical Elegy
John Churchill - Duke of Marlborough, and a supporter of England’s colonial rule in Ireland.
- Churchill had supported and fought in the war of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714).
- Swift considered him to be a war profiteer, accusing him of wasting public money.
historical context of Swift’s writing
became well-known editor of the Tory paper, writing against war (and John Churchill), was a hero in Ireland
when was Tam O’Shanter written
1790
what is a hedonist
a person known for their pursuit of pleasure (as if it’s the most important aspect in life ) - Burns was a hedonist
where was Burns born - religion
Scotland, brought up as Presbyterian (as most of Scotland was)
Presbyterian church disliked dancing. Burns was censured by the church (formally reprimanded) for his hedonistic behaviour.
what type of poem is Tam O’Shanter
a mock-epic poem, Burns draws on the expectations of epic poems and parodies the defining elements (e.g. plot focuses on a hero, vast setting, involves superhuman acts of bravery and sometimes inclusion of supernatural forces)
when was Sunny Prestatyn written
1962
how did Larkin describe Sunny Prestatyn
both ‘funny’ and ‘horrific’ - used comic poetry to create humour with an underlying seriousness
what happened two years previous to Sunny Prestatyn being written
the lifting of the ban for obscenity in work (influenced Larkin’s bawdy humour)
how is The Movement seen in Larkin’s work
he uses accessible and taboo language whilst exploring profound ideas - principles of The Movement
The Movement rebelled against ideas of romanticism, common sense and clarity over obscurity and mystification
when was Not My Best Side written
1978
what is Not My Best Side based on
Uccello’s painting of ‘St George and the Dragon’(1470) - Fanthrope analyses gender views in the 70s compared with 15th century
what was Uccello’s “obsession with triangles” a reference to
painters in 15th century painted using triangles as references for perspective, seen as The Holy Trinity (religious) and the ‘superior’ way of painting
when was My Rival’s House written
1980s
what relationship does My Rivals House look into
gender stereotypes between two women and their relationship (mother-in-law) - problematic as it portrays two women fighting over a man (emphasises negative female relationships)
the mother-in-law jokes
a tradition in comedy since Roman times - usually delivered by mal voices (particularly male comedians on TV in 1970s)
centre around ideas that mother-in-laws are unpleasant and difficult to get on with (misogyny)
when was Mrs Sisyphus written
1990s
‘The Worlds Wife’ - Duffy
a collection of poems (published 1999) presents stories/myths etc from female perspective - highlighting women that have been ignored and silenced in a witty and satirical way
gender in Mrs Sisyphus
Mrs Sisyphus’ dramatic monologue is key to her compelling voice as she describes the situation
Duffy questions late 20th century attitudes to gender roles, especially in marriage (traditional roles of husband and wife)
