Epic

 6th July 2023


01 Article | English Literature

Satire in The Prologue


Satire is a genre of literature in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, the government or society itself, into improvement. Although satire is usually meant to be humorous, its greater purpose is often constructive social criticism, using wit as a weapon and as a tool to draw attention to both particular and wider issues in society. Satire differs from humour in that it has a definite moral purpose. The satirist deliberately alienates our sympathies from those whom he describes, and as the true humorist is apt to pass from comedy to romance, and from romance to tragedy, so the satirist not infrequently ends by finding rage and disgust overpower his sense of the ridiculous. The fact is that satire is not Chaucer's natural bent. His interest lies in portraiture rather than in exposure. His object is to point life as he sees it, to hold up the mirror to nature...

Satire in The Prologue



02 Article | English Literature


Irony is a method of humorous or sarcastic expression in which the intended meaning of the words used is the direct opposite of their usual sense. It is also the feigning of ignorance in argument. The voice of the satirist speaking out of a mask is subtle irony. Behind the mask, his face may be dark with fury or writhing with contempt, but his voice is calm, sometimes soberly earnest, sometimes lightly amused. The lips of the mask and its features are persuasive, almost real, and perfectly controlled. Some of those who hear the voice, and see the polite lips, from which it issues, are persuaded that it is the utterance of truth and that the speaker believes everything he says. Aristotle said that irony was the opposite of boasting: it was mock modesty, dissimulation, and self-depreciation...

Irony in The Prologue



03 Article | English Literature


Book I of Paradise Lost begins with a prologue in which Milton performs the traditional epic task of invoking the Muse and stating his purpose. He invokes the classical Muse, Urania, but also refers to her as the "Heav'nly Muse," implying the Christian nature of this work. He also says that the poem will deal with man's disobedience toward God and the results of that disobedience. He concludes the prologue by saying he will attempt to justify God's ways to men...

Paradise Lost Book I



04 Article | English Literature


Humour is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to provoke laughter and provide amusement. Humour is the sympathetic appreciation of the comic and enables us to love while we laugh. Humour enables us to see the person's point of view, to distinguish between crimes and misdemeanours. There is no sting in humour, no consciousness of superiority. On the contrary, it contains an element of tenderness. Satire, being destructive, not constructive, is in a class apart, but even satire may become so softened by humour as it does in Chaucer that it may lose the element of caricature and serve only to give a keener edge to wit. Chaucer's whole point of view is that of the humorist. He is a comic poet who walks carelessly through life pausing the notice every trifle as he passes. He views the world as the unaccustomed traveller views a foreign country. He possesses the faculty of amused observation in a pre-eminent degree. Again and again, he contrives to invest some perfectly trifling and commonplace incident with an air of whimsicality, and by so doing to make it at once realistic and remote...

Humour in the Prologue



05 Article | English Literature


The word “pandemonium” is a compound word formed by joining the Greek words “pan” and “demonises” meaning a place or abode of all demons...

Pandemonium Paradise Lost



06 Article | English Literature


It has been said by Raleigh that Milton lavished all his power, all his skill and in spite of himself the greater part of his sympathy on the splendid figure of Satan. In Book I of Paradise Lost, Satan appears to be an indomitable fighter against the autocracy of God. He is presented as a heroic figure fighting a relentless battle against the arbitrary act of God for elevating his son above the angels. Milton himself fought against feudal monarchy and defended the execution of Charles I. So Milton put much of himself into the character of Satan and makes him the embodiment of the Renaissance spirit of challenge and adventure...

Satan in Paradise Lost



07 Article | English Literature


Paradise Lost, a literary masterpiece by John Milton, remains an enduring classic that delves into profound themes and intricacies. This epic poem, written in blank verse, takes readers on a journey through the fall of mankind, the conflict between good and evil, and the exploration of human nature itself. In this article, we will dive deep into the profound themes that define "Paradise Lost," unravelling its layers and shedding light on its significance...

Exploring the Profound Themes that Define "Paradise Lost": An Tale Deconstructed




08 Article | English Literature

The Essence of Enigma: Decoding the Major Themes of 'Paradise Lost'

John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' is a timeless epic that delves into profound themes and philosophical concepts. To fully appreciate and grasp the depth of this masterpiece, it is crucial to understand its major themes. This article aims to decode the enigmatic layers of 'Paradise Lost' and shed light on its intricate nuances. By exploring the different elements within Milton's work, we can gain a new perspective on the epic that has captivated readers for centuries...

The Essence of Enigma: Decoding the Major Themes of 'Paradise Lost'





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