Victorian Period

Victoria became queen when she was. In her time, Britain developed almost every field such as industrial, technological, economical. Britain became most powerful country all over the world. There was also important thinkers in this age: Karl Max and Charles Darwin. 

In terms of literature, we can see the rise of novel. People were reading books by borrowing them from libraries. Writers focused on characters' inner life. Also, some poets were important in this age. These are Lord Tennyson, Robert Browning, Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner is the longest poem of Samuel Taylor Coleridge. It was written in Romantic Period, so we can see features of Romanticism such as nature, strong human emotions, supernatural forces, sin and restoration in this work. As we can understand, Coleridge used the nature in his story. He tells a mariner’s story. There is something weird in ship. Ship is sorrounded by ice. Then, Albatros appears. Mariner blames Albatros and kill it. After killing Albatross, the atmosphere changes, everything is getting worse. The crew thinks this curse happen because of Albatross dead. Everybody dies except for Mariner. He survives and tells the story. The story passes from generation to generation by oral story telling.

Romantic Period

Romantic movement emerged against Rationalism. In Rationalism, reason and logic were important. People didn't value emotions. In contrast rationalism, romantic movement started to spread. Romanticism gave importance to the feelings, emotions, individuals. Also, romantics used nature, supernatural, emotions in their works. Romantic William Wordsworth described poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings." It's so important for understanding romantic movement. In addition, romanticism characterized by  I.These are imagination, intuition, idealism, inspiration and individuality.

Robinson Crusoe

Robinson Crusoe is a novel written by Daniel Defoe. It is known as first realistic novel in English Literature. It tells us a Crusoe’s struggle which saved from shipwreck. He survived alone, and he tried to adjust in the island. He made a cottage from the stuff found in ship. He planted corn. He kept a dairy and wrote events that lived through. By the way, he became friend with one of the cannibals. He trained him, and named him as Friday. They became close friends. At the end, Friday died and a british ship saved Robinson Crusoe.

We can see so many effects of realism. For example; mading cottage, planting corn, keeping diary, naming his friend as Friday, teaching English to him etc.

“O drug!” said I aloud, “what art thou good for? Thou art not worth to me, no, not the taking off of the ground; one of those knives is worth all this heap; I have no manner of use for thee; e’en remain where thou art and go to the bottom as a creature whose life is not worth saving.” However, upon second thoughts, I took it away."

There is a quotation from Robinson Crusoe. “Drug” does not have the exact mean. It means “money.” Crusoe found money from the ship, but there was no need to use money, because he was living alone in the island. Even though money was so needless in island, he took money. Maybe he thought that one day he would save from island and then he could use it. 

A Modest Proposal and 18th Century

To be honest, when I heard “a modest proposal”, I thought that it’s kind of marriage proposal. :) But as I read it, I come across a sad proposal. It was written by Jonathan Swift in a satiric way. He said that let’s fatten up thin children and sell them to rich people. Poor people’s children can be sold in a meat market. He suggests recipes for delicious food. According to him, doing it contributed to Ireland’s economy. Also husbands will treat their wifes more politely.Of course, there is irony. He tells the situations objectively.

18th century is known as Augustan Age. There were peace and prosperity. Also there was a movement which is called “Rationalism.” Rationalist people don’t believe emotions. In their mind there was no imagination. According to them, power of reason is more important than imagination and emotions. Thus, this is also known age of reason.

There were change from classical to romantic. Rising of prose was seen. In proses, there were clarity and coherence. Also no emotion in works.

In 18th century, the most important thing is Industrial Revolution. It contributes to many unemployment people. Steam engines were improved. Also, it makes the transportation easier. 

Paradise Lost / Macflecknoe

Firstly, I want to talk about Macflecknoe written by John Dryden. I really like it! It’s a mock heroic, epic poem. He wrote it in satiric, humorous way. There is a poet called Thomas Shadwell who wants to heir of the great poet Ben Johnson. Dryden critizes this idea and says that you’ re not the heir of Ben Johnson, you are at the most the heir of Richard Flecknoe who is so untalented poet. In this poem, Dryden used abbreviation “sh..” and there is 2 objectives: first one is dryden abbreviates the name of Shadwell as “sh…”

The other one is it is a “shit.” But nobody proved what it actually was.

Macflecknoe draw my attention, it’s the best for me.

Also, there was Paradise Lost but I don’t like it so much. The poem written by John Milton. It is related to region. It mentions Adam and Eve. 

Restoration Period and Civil War

There was the Stuarts and the Tudors. The Tudors were more successful. There was conflict between the monarchy and parliament. Charles I advocated monarchy. Also there was Puritans. They advocated parliament. They were against almost everything like games, dancing, artchitecture. Charles I offended the Puritans. Then, civil war began. Charles I defeated. After his defeating, Oliver Cromwell became the head. Charles I was executed and interregnum period started. It involved 11 years. Cromwell was so strict, people had to follow Puritan’s beliefs. After 11 years, Cromwell died and Charles II became the head and restoration period began. People became more free and happy.

This week’s poem is “To His Coy Mistress.” It was written by Andrew Marvell. It tells us Carpe Diem which means live whatevet you want, enjoy your life without thinking the future, seize on the moment. This poem relates to sexual pleasure. I like this poem but it is soooo long.

One of the most impressive poem is “Sonnet on his Blindness” written by John Milton. It mentions region and the man who is blind.  He asks a question to God, he said: “Does God require his servants to work for him even if they don’t have vision?” The answer was so effective for me: “His best servants are the ones who bear life’s burden the best.”