You should provide constructive comments (i.e. how the piece reflects the time period) to your peers (a minimum of 1 response--but do not always respond to the same person).
Identify the title of the piece and the full name of the author from Great English Essays. Use the Great English Essay Critical Log to help you draft your response. After you do this, write in a paragraph the essential components of the essay that you read.
You should provide constructive comments (i.e. how the piece reflects the time period) to your peers (a minimum of 1 response--but do not always respond to the same person).
54 Comments
De'Jean Clement
12/9/2012 03:08:34 am
Owen Feltham's "Of Dreams" is made as one of the Great English Essays. This piece focuses on what a dream is and its value to man. Owen says that dreams are true thoughts of one's soul; how they make one wiser and how smarter a person is in sleep is also mentioned. Zeno's words say a person can be collected through their dreams since their soul and thoughts are most vulnerable and in one's fantasies. Sleeping is a time of contemplation and growth of wisdom, dreaming is a time of discovery, but prediction is rare and is not likely the case.
Reply
Daren A.
12/9/2012 05:26:08 am
The manner in which you describe the piece is a very accurate representation of the piece itself. Having briefly skimmed trough it, it allows someone who as not yet read it to get a better feeling of what the piece consists of, and if it might spark interest with them.
Reply
Hayle S.
12/9/2012 04:00:02 am
“Of Love” By: Francis Bacon
Reply
De'Jean.Clement
12/10/2012 03:38:49 am
so ORGANIZED! I like it. Sectioning off components is impressive on a professional level.
Reply
Daren A.
12/9/2012 05:20:33 am
The work: "Of Ambition" by Francis Bacon is an excellent work regarding the analysis, motives, and pitfalls of ambition. The work focuses on how ambition is the great driving force of men, and how, unchecked this ambition would not enrich the fate of man, but degrade it. The work is written in a manner that is almost akin to a guide, or a manual with personal input and commentary done form an authoritative position. Ambition is the very essential piece of a mans will to drive towards enrichment in: knowledge, greatness, and wealth, as is dictated by the work.
Reply
Grace
12/17/2012 04:05:48 am
Very to the point and well written.
Reply
De'Jean Clement
12/10/2012 04:22:31 am
Great essay "Of Ambition", written by Francis Bacon, is a drafted truth about one's ambition and how it acts upon them. Bacon describes ambition as a choler, or a wrath, that makes one active and serious in effort. A flip-side is also described; if one's goal be compromised or drive baffled, then the full baneful fury of their ambition will strike those responsible...like a vengeful mood. The hazard of it suggest to look for those without ambition, but Bacon mentions the uses of ambitious men. They have the seriousness to carry out one's service, as well as over-topping the greatest ranked. Ambition also implies honor, and honor makes an honest man. There is a best and worst of the coin when it come's to one's drive.
Reply
Monica B.
12/13/2012 02:34:32 am
In this essay Bacon claims that love can reach to anyone and it can affect it different ways depending on the attitude. His tone transmits us the feeling that he is warning us about love and at the same time giving the reader advice about it. The purpose of this essay is to tell the public that love will get to someone sooner or later, and that anyone can suffer from it. I would say that his intended audience it is anyone who has been in love or who is searching for it, there is no male or female audience since love can get to both. To prove that he is right and love does reach to anyone, even the coldest person he uses Marcus Antonius as an example, this man is described as an attractive and intemperate. Also uses Appius Claudius which is described as austere and wise. He also states that love can either make a person stronger or weaker giving people the knowledge about what can happen if you fall in love.
Reply
Monica B
12/13/2012 02:43:09 am
The essay ‘’Of Ambition’’ Bacon points out the good and bad effects that ambition can lead to. He describes ambition as something that gives passion but at the same time madness. He is warning the public that ambition can give positives feelings but at the same time if you don’t accomplish what you want it can give you a negative feeling. His purpose for this whole essay is to warn the audience about what ambition can lead to and do to you, since it can be dangerous. He uses the example of Tiberus using Marco in the pulling down of Sejanus. He wants to let the people know that ambition can be good as bad and that people should accomplish their goals in a positive way.
Reply
Sarah S.
12/13/2012 04:54:57 am
In the essay Art Connoissers, Sir Joshua Reynolds uses aspects of satire such as illustrative anecdotes to show how he does not like people who show affectation. Reynolds demonstrates in the beginning that his purpose of writing is to write about his hatred for people who are art critics and hypocritical, in response to another person who did the same. Sir Reynolds writes of a worse critic, the kind “who judges by narrow rules, and those too often false, and which, though they should be true, and founded on nature, will lead him but a very little way towards the just estimation of the sublime beauties in works of genius” (59). These critics do so by focusing on ridiculous details instead of truly enjoying the art. He shows sarcasm when he states “the remembrance of a few names of painters, with their general characters, with a few rules of the Academy, which they may pick up among the painters, will go a great way towards making a very notable Connoisseur,” which makes fun of how few requisites there are to pronounce oneself a Connoisseur (59-60). This makes that job seem like a trifle, since there are not many qualities one needs to do it. Sir Joshua Reynolds gives an illustrative anecdote to prove this point. The speaker of the story and the art critic pass by a “perfect representation of the character as well as the figure” of “Charles the First, by Vandyke” when the art critic “agreed it was very fine, but it wanted spirit and contrast, and had not the flowing line, without which a figure could not possibly be graceful” (60). By using specific examples the reader is able to see the scrupulous rules they use for themselves. That painting was very great but the critic did not enjoy it. Reynolds uses this story to support his case, showing specifically what those art critics say. Furthermore, he exposes their folly in missing the point of the art with all their rules and criticisms. He therefore exposes human folly, as was a common aspect favored by satirical writers in the restoration and enlightenment.
Reply
River S.
12/13/2012 07:48:24 am
"Of Love" By: Francis Bacon
Reply
River S.
12/13/2012 08:12:37 am
"Of Ambition" By: Francis Bacon
Reply
Ashley A
12/14/2012 03:59:13 am
“Of Love” Francis Bacon
Reply
Ashley A
12/14/2012 03:59:39 am
“Of Dreams” Owen Feltham
Reply
Grace
12/14/2012 07:24:55 pm
In "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift, Swift uses various tools of satire to falsely propose a solution to the food shortage. His tone is sarcastic and he has a very factual and seemingly rational presentation of information. The purpose was to bring attention to the plight of the people to hopefully gain help. The audience was Britain and it was during the Irish famine. He presents data about the number of bodies needed for certain cities and how using children who have parents that cannot provide for them would help many people. He uses ethos through ridiculous facts and ideas in order to create controversy and hopefully inspire real plans. He uses tools of satires such as hyperbole and exaggeration along with repetition and he uses blunt statements to state his "opinion".
Reply
Grace
12/14/2012 08:30:05 pm
In "Spring" by Samuel Johnson, a claim is made about the importance of nature. Johnson has a positive attitude towards people who can have hope that does not overshadow all else. This essay was written to remind man of the simple things in life such as nature. It was written for anyone and everyone and uses descriptions of nature as well as typical habits of men as evidence. It appeals to the ethos of wanting to admire something beautiful, such as nature, and not wanting to worry. Johnson makes assumptions that almost all do not admire the little things in life. He uses personification, analogy and allusion to share his message.
Reply
Sarah S.
12/14/2012 11:36:06 pm
In Jonathan Swift’s A Modest Proposal, he utilizes aspects of satire to address the problem of the amount of poor children in the streets. His thesis is that the “prodigious number of children” should “contribute to the feeding, and partly to the clothing, of many thousands” (25,26). He asks how they can try to fix this problem, not why they have it, which was a characteristic writers utilized in the Restoration and the Enlightenment. The way he goes about it is quite unconventional, because he seems serious about the absurd idea of eating children. Swift uses logos to present facts on why the general public should eat children, saying there are “120,000 children of poor parents actually born”. This makes his argument stronger because it seems like he has thought this plan through and been very thorough. He uses an appeal to authority by saying “I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed is at a year old a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled” (27). The details also makes it seem as though Swift has all sides of his plan covered with many ideas. He also mocks the rich people like the landlords who “as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children” (27). This exposes the vice the rich have of taking advantage of the poor for money. Therefore he uses the elements of satire to make his point.
Reply
Hayle S.
12/19/2012 11:29:49 pm
"Of Dreams" by Owen Feltham
Reply
Patrick S.
12/20/2012 09:41:34 pm
Jonathan Swift, "A Modest Proposal"
Reply
Patrick S.
12/20/2012 09:57:52 pm
Samuel Johnson, "Spring"
Reply
Josh Y.
1/6/2013 02:50:43 am
Mrs. Battle's Opinions On Whist
Reply
Taylor
1/6/2013 05:04:09 am
"Of Love" By: Francis Bacon
Reply
Hayle S.
1/6/2013 04:42:29 pm
“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift
Reply
Deniz Ozer
1/6/2013 04:49:22 pm
Francis Bacon “Of Love”
Reply
Deniz Ozer
1/6/2013 05:00:53 pm
“Of Dreams” by Owen Feltham
Reply
Konnor W.
1/6/2013 05:02:57 pm
A Modest Proposal
Reply
Deniz Ozer
1/6/2013 05:13:03 pm
“Of Ambition” by Francis Bacon
Reply
Taylor
1/6/2013 05:14:34 pm
The Good SchoolMaster By: Thomas Fuller
Reply
Josh Y.
1/6/2013 05:15:00 pm
Of Garden By; Francis Bacon
Reply
Charles Dickens – Lying awake
Reply
Francis Bacon – Of Ambition
Reply
Francis Bacon – Of Cunning
Reply
Michelle H.
1/7/2013 04:28:04 pm
"Of Dreams" by Owen Feltham
Reply
River S.
1/7/2013 04:32:22 pm
"Of Dreams" By: Owen Feltham
Reply
Grace Katzenson
1/7/2013 04:32:41 pm
In "Of Ambition" by Francis Bacon, Bacon discusses the positive and negative aspects of ambition. He claims ambition can be positive through the dedication of those who are ambitious, but also a dangerous quality creating discontent. Bacon's tone is straightforward and honest while his audience is those who are ambitious, and those around ambitious people in order to potentially control or manage said ambition. He uses evidence of princes and their protectors and how they have the positive and negative traits of the quality. He appeals to the logos of history and also uses allusions to items such as Tiberius and Marco. He also assumes all with ambition use the ambition in some way or another. The style of Bacon is using examples and creating a basis for his ideas to prove his points to the public and especially those facing these issues dealing with ambition.
Reply
Aldon
1/7/2013 04:35:19 pm
Francis Bacon’s “Of Love” great English essay says that love is not always joyful; it can actually cause more tragedy than it’s worth. And that if you look back in the past at anyone worthy and notably great they have not been caught up in the troubles of love. Bacon talks about man having to be aware of love because if they are not careful it will take them, And that with passion you may lose yourself. Bacon gives the examples of Marcus Antonius and Appius Claudius to show that you cannot hide from love. Eventually love will find you because men are inclined to love, warning to not let passion control you.
Reply
Michelle H.
1/7/2013 04:38:20 pm
"Of Love" by Francis Bacon
Reply
Ryan Patten
1/7/2013 04:40:34 pm
OF LOVE
Reply
Ashley
1/7/2013 04:43:34 pm
“Of Ambition” by Francis Bacon
Reply
Luke Narug
1/7/2013 04:50:31 pm
Bacon's essay "Of Love" describes the very complicated ideas and concept of love. Bacon compares love to acting (the stage). He compares it to this because love is full of many emotions such as comedy, tragedy, and others. He then describes how love makes people act in different ways. He says that people that are consumed by love have "weak passions". His final thought is that man has no control over love, and it is an unstoppable feeling. Bacon has many different thoughts on love, but is sure that love is a powerful force.
Reply
Patrick S.
1/7/2013 04:51:16 pm
Francis Bacon, "Of Love"
Reply
Daren A.
1/7/2013 04:51:54 pm
"Art Connoisseurs" by Sir Joshua Reynolds ironically critques those who seek to critque works of art. Sir Joshua Reynolds aims to point out that the very manner in which an "Art Connoisseur" works to be slightly convoluted, but at the same timed deprived of any such joy taken by the observation of such art. Sir Joshua Reynolds uses a few critques posed by an a "Art Connoisseur" to point out that while joy is feigned in the close observation of the varous art pieces, the teachings received lead to the comparison of great artists to one and other. Sir Joshua Reynolds proceeds to point out that "Art Connoisseurs" in their process proceed to critique the very greatness of the artist and the work it's self.
Reply
Ryan Patten
1/7/2013 04:53:01 pm
Of Ambition
Reply
Aldon P
1/7/2013 04:53:51 pm
"Of Ambition" by Francis Bacon describes a man driving force to live up to that which they want. It is something that if at work cannot be stopped. A man with ambition will rise and move forward toward their desires. Bacon describes the effects of ambition and how it can lead to vengeance and evil if man’s goals lead to failure. Despite this danger ambitions can be prosperous, like a soldier with ambition surpassing those that outrank him. Ambition can lead to great things, because it is better to be ambitious than to be dependent on others. A man who has achieved their ambitions might have honor, and might strive to do good for others, or lead them to personally better themselves.
Reply
Ryan Patten
1/7/2013 05:04:14 pm
Of Dreams
Reply
Sarah S.
1/7/2013 05:22:52 pm
Jack Lizard, by Richard Steele, tells the story of a boy who comes home from university with much still to learn in the ways of conversation, in order to make the reader examine the way they converse. Jack Lizard “had too much spirit to hold his tongue in company” (42). This character shows the aspects of people who do not know how to converse in society, and Steele takes that as a fault. Steele uses a simile when he says “I all this while looked upon Jack as a young tree shooting out into blossoms before its time; the redundancy of which, though it was a little unseasonable, seemed to foretell an uncommon fruitfulness” (43). The comparison to a tree shows the growth of a man in his family and in society. Steele wants to share his ideas on how to have a fitting way of conversation. Rather than simply write a list, Steele uses the story of Jack Lizard to show first what not to do and then he explains his rules. He shows how “the conversation of most men is disagreeable, not so much for want of wit and learning, as of good-breeding and discretion” (43). This shows how if one wants to fit in to one’s social realm, one must realize that simply being smart will not automatically make people like you or want to converse with you. One of Steele’s main points is that “we should talk extremely little of our selves” (43). In this way, society can change for the better with people interacting in a better way. The satire makes the reader feel critical of themselves by criticizing Jack Lizard.
Reply
Taylor P.
1/8/2013 05:31:54 am
A Meditation upon a broomstick By: Jonathan Swift
Reply
Josh Y.
1/8/2013 05:57:30 am
Of Ambition By: Francis Bacon
Reply
De' Jean Clement
1/8/2013 06:54:07 am
Like it’s said, humanity was the period’s attraction; if there was ever anything to read then, it was about people. A work written by Thomas Fuller covers the sure truths of a teacher, or as they called “him”(since women’s education and rank was still oppressed at this time), schoolmaster. It starts with a statement saying, “There is scarce any profession in the commonwealth more necessary, which is so slightly performed”, which triggers interest from the reader. This is what is known as a hook. Not a new aspect, quite, but whose to say they hadn’t improved this art; If any time enticement be at a new peak…just let the writing speak for itself. The author then talks how the schoolmaster “quickly make a grammar of boys’ natures, and reduce them all” as he “studieth his scholars’ natures as carefully as they their books.” Writing of a teacher studying his students like books as one studies the teacher through a written passage as plain; for any other time period this little irony would not be acknowledged, but not as so for Renaissance. The contrary is proven further as the schoolmaster we sort ranks his scholars into categories of disposition. Fuller makes a switch onto the readers’ assessment of the professor. Pretty much like Bacon’s flipping of the coin (even though the flipping of a coin is more of a reference similar to the “roll of the dice” which is a phrase based on chance rather that shift of situation where there can only be a shift from its original instead of reoccurring a same fate, but for those who get the gist of my ignorance, please forgive that lazy little foolishness). The students had become victims of their coach, “whose mauling them about their heads hath dulled those who in quickness exceeded their master.” Even before this negativity, whipping is constantly mentioned throughout near the entire work; lashings and paddles seem to be the average disciplinary tool in education of the 1600s.
Reply
Michelle H
1/9/2013 02:48:42 am
"Of Ambition" written by Francis Bacon
Reply
Monica B
1/12/2013 10:56:12 pm
Of Dreams, Owen Feltham.
Reply
Luke Narug
1/20/2013 04:33:14 am
"A Modest Proposal" is a classic satire written by Jonathan Swift. In this satire, Swift addresses the potato famine that is devistating his home country of Ireland at the time. He suggests solutions to the problem, with his main focus being canabalism. Through the techniques of logos, Swift convinces the people that they should eat their newborns so they will not starve. He also uses a style of cause and effect, saying that when we eat or own, the country will not be starving anymore and create a better economy. This piece is a great classic example of satire.
Reply
Nick, Ashley, Sarah
1/28/2013 04:28:48 pm
I grant there is one subject on which it is pleasant to talk on a journey, and that is, what one shall have for supper when we get to our inn at night. (p.112)
Reply
Grace, Luke, Aldon
1/28/2013 04:36:14 pm
Not only I myself have changed; the world, which was then new to me, has become old and incorrigible. (114)
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
February 2015
Categories |