Descriptions of Works Flashcards
Q1 + Q2
A seminal work of literary criticism written in the late 16th century. In this essay, the author defends poetry against its detractors by arguing that it is not only a legitimate form of art but also one of the highest forms of human creativity. He asserts that poetry has the power to teach, delight, and move its audience, surpassing other forms of knowledge and expression. He also discusses the role of the poet as a moral teacher and the importance of fiction in conveying truth
A Defense of Poesy by Sir Philip Sidney
A Renaissance-era book that serves as a manual on the ideal qualities and behaviors of a perfect [], or noble attendant, in the court of a prince or ruler. Written in the early 16th century, it outlines the necessary skills, virtues, and etiquette for those aspiring to be influential figures in courtly society. The author emphasizes the importance of balance in various aspects of life, including physical prowess, intellectual pursuits, moral integrity, and refined social graces. The book offers insights into the Renaissance ideals of courtesy, grace, and self-improvement, and it became a significant influence on European court culture during its time.
The Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione
A collection of pastoral poems written by []. Each poem represents a month of the year and features shepherds discussing various topics such as love, politics, and nature. It is heavily influenced by classical literature and explores themes of rural life, the passage of time, and the human condition. Additionally, [] uses allegory and symbolism to convey deeper meanings within the poems––Colin Clout symbolizes the poet himself, while the figure of the Shepherd Algrind represents corrupt clergy.
The Shepherd’s Calendar by Edmund Spenser
An epic poem written in the late 16th century during the Elizabethan era. It’s an allegorical work that follows the adventures of various knights, each representing a particular virtue, as they journey through a fantastical land. The primary narrative revolves around the quest of the Redcrosse Knight, who embodies Holiness, as he seeks to rescue the maiden Una. Throughout the poem, [] explores themes of chivalry, morality, and the complexities of human nature, while also paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth I. The poem remains a significant piece of English literature, admired for its rich imagery, intricate allegory, and poetic craftsmanship.
The Faerie Queen by Edmund Spenser
A tragic play by [] that explores themes of power, family, and madness. It follows the story of a King, who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters based on their flattery of him. When his youngest daughter, [], refuses to participate in the insincere praise, [] banishes her and divides his kingdom between his two deceitful daughters, [] and []. As the consequences of []’s decisions unfold, he experiences a descent into madness and tragedy befalls his family. The play is renowned for its complex characters and profound exploration of human nature.
King Lear by William Shakespeare
Depicts a shepherd urging his beloved to come live with him in the countryside, where they can enjoy the simple pleasures of nature together. The shepherd promises a life filled with idyllic scenes of natural beauty, including fields, hills, rivers, and rustic delights like handmade garments and music. The poem celebrates the shepherd’s romantic vision of a life unencumbered by worldly concerns, offering a glimpse into the pastoral idealism of the Elizabethan era.
The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe
A play that revolves around the titular character, Dr. Faustus, a brilliant scholar who becomes disillusioned with traditional knowledge and turns to the dark arts to gain ultimate power and knowledge. Faustus makes a pact with the devil, Mephistopheles, selling his soul in exchange for twenty-four years of limitless knowledge and power. Despite warnings from friends and mentors, Faustus continues down his path of damnation, indulging in worldly pleasures and magical feats. As the end of his contract approaches, Faustus realizes the gravity of his decision and seeks repentance, but it is too late, and he is dragged to hell by demons, illustrating the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of forbidden knowledge.
Dr. Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
In [],” the nymph responds to the shepherd’s romantic invitation with a realistic and skeptical perspective. She rejects the shepherd’s idealized vision of pastoral life and love, pointing out the transient nature of the natural world and the inevitable decay of beauty. The nymph acknowledges that the shepherd’s promises of eternal springtime and everlasting joy are appealing, but ultimately she believes they are unrealistic and unattainable. She warns the shepherd against placing too much faith in fleeting pleasures and advises him to live in the present rather than chasing after illusory dreams. The poem serves as a counterpoint to Marlowe’s romantic idealism, offering a sobering reflection on the complexities of love and the passage of time.
The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd by Sir Walter Ralegh
Mingling of two bloods, mimicking the act of sex, therefore lessening the sin in having sex
“The Flea” by John Donne
walking through the undressing of his mistress
“Oh my america”
Colonization, science, discovery
“I am naked first”
Revealing himself to the woman, flipping of gender roles
“To his mistress going to bed” by John Donne
Speaker turning his back to God
Contemplates god’s death
Asks god to chastise him, to make him whole again
Man’s pleasure can disrupt his natural form
Shift from the ptolemaic system (earth at the center of the universe) to copernican system (sun at the center of the universe)
Riding westward by John Donne
Compass, when one moves the other one stays, steadfast
Prohibits grief about departure
They should leave without crying, without dramatic facades
Comparison to gold, in the same way that gold can be stretched by beating it, so are their souls
A valediction forbidding mourning by John Donne
Carpe diem, fear of death, living in the moment
Focus on the limited amount of time
Convincing woman to have sex while she’s young, in her prime
“To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time” by Robert Herrick
The speaker of the poem addresses his beloved, trying to persuade her to seize the present moment and indulge in physical intimacy with him. The poem is structured as a three-part argument: first, the speaker establishes the ideal of limitless time, then he transitions to the reality of time’s swift passage, and finally, he urges his beloved to act quickly before time runs out.
“To His Coy Mistress” by Andrew Marwell
The metaphor of commonwealth as a living human being
An engine has artificial life, the heart is a spring
Civil war is death to a commonwealth
Introduction to “Leviathan” by Thomas Hobbes
