Abstract Sir Charles Eastlake and Mrs. Merrifield added much, perhaps indirectly, to our knowledge of 19th centuryEnglish artists' techniques. This paper examines their milieu, and how they gained interest in the painting that they wrote upon, along with their published contributions to fine art scholarship. Both authors are looked at in the light of a particular cultural and intellectual environment.
Abstract This paper addresses the following question. The 18th centuryEnglish writer Henry Fielding called the Odyssey "that eating poem." Focusing on specific passages, discuss food as a site of conflict, community, or cultural transaction in the Odyssey.
Tags: LITERATURE / ENGLISH LITERATURE, writer henry fielding
Abstract This paper examines how eighteenth centuryEnglish experienced a dramatic change in its culture and their economy. As the boundaries of the United Kingdom expanded world over, its interaction with several other cultures increased. The paper shows that because of this increased interaction with other cultures, the British culture itself went through a cultural change. In addition to this, several developments made in the areas of science and technology led towards an industrial revolution in England. The paper discusses how, as a result of the industrial revolution, the merchant class emerged as one of the most influential and authoritative group. Considering the enormous growth potential in the industrial sector, the English society adopted a purely mercantilist approach towards trade and commerce. The paper shows that with the increase in industrial developments in the region, the rural population of the country started to shift to the urban areas and thus the overall societal structure of England was changed.
From the Paper "All these developments made a far-reaching impact on the British culture. The consequences of the Industrial Revolution not only brought a change in population but also led to a drastic change in many societal aspects. It totally changed the utilization of labor in the British economy, the family structure, the economic system, the educational system and most importantly the individual's life style. The merchant class of England was the mostly affected group in this regard, as it composed of a considerable number of those people who previously belonged to the rural population. These individuals later totally changed their way of living, which was obviously a result of their exposure to the urban culture, increase in their income and changes in the society because of industrial revolution."
Abstract This paper examines Mary Rowlandson's narrative "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" and explains how Rowlandson offers vivid accounts of Native lifestyles, with women and religious figures existing outside of, and in opposition to, English Puritan society. The paper discusses the social context of Rowlandson's life and the publication of "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God". Next, the paper explores Rowlandson's narrative in terms of the essentially inferior relationship between Christians and non-Christians in an effort to discern more about 17th centuryEnglish Puritan society. The paper then looks at how "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" is autobiographical in nature, describing the author's first-hand account of being in captivity, but not autobiographical in the traditional sense because it focuses exclusively on the three months she spent in Native captivity when she was about thirty-nine years old but not on her life before and after captivity.
From the Paper "The bullets that sliced through the Rowlandson Garrison in 1676 facilitated a tear in the division of two cultural realms, a transfer between civilizations that resulted in the induction of Mary White Rowlandson into the Native world. For 11 weeks the boundaries of Rowlandson's cultural identification were tested as she was forced to live and participate in the society of her captors. During this time, the essential nature of her identity and status in society changed; rather than being the mistress of her own respected household, Rowlandson found herself occupying the lowest rung of Native society. She was now a captive servant to her Native master and mistresses."
Abstract This paper looks at what the personal correspondence between noblewoman Anne Conway and intellectual Henry More - as well as at least one letter from her brother - reveal about the characteristics of seventeenth centuryEnglish society. More specifically, the paper looks at the social ramifications of the age, the religious predilections of the period, the preferred consumption patterns of upper-class women, and the proximity of death to those alive during the period as all of these items are touched upon by the private letters exchanged between friends and family. Ultimately, the paper argues that Anne Conway was saddled with a variety of social conventions and burdens that even her social status could not help her evade.
From the Paper "Moving onward, the correspondence between Henry More and Anne Conway is marked (in many, but not all, instances) by an abiding interest in religion - one very good example of this occurring in one of the early letters sent by More to Conway shortly after she had been married (More, "21: Henry More to Anne Conway," 53-55). In any case, it should be borne in mind that the seventeenth century was an age of high religiosity - not unlike the century before it which produced the Reformation and then Counter-Reformation - and More's religious sentiments are extraordinary manifestations not only of his own interest in, and believe in, the Christian faith, but of the extent to which the thought of the age among even the most lettered persons was informed by Christian sensibilities. "
Abstract Hildegard von Bingen, born in Bockelheim, Germany in 1098, made a significant impact on the twelfthcentury church through leadership and writing, and yet she is perhaps best known for the amazing works of music that she produced. This paper examines influences that helped to shape von Bingen into the figure that many refer to as St. Hildegard. Through examining important events, celestial visages and important influences, the paper shows how von Bingen was inspired to create some of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces of music that have emerged from Christianity throughout its two thousand year history.
From the Paper "von Bingen was deeply moved to create music because of her religious beliefs about what musical expression was. From von Bingen's perspective, music was one of the ways to most appropriately worship God. Before the fall of Adam, von Bingen surmised that Adam's voice was pure and would be lifted up in worship of God and would be joined by hosts of angels. After the fall, von Bingen concluded that musical instruments were invented to enable man to worship God in an appropriate manner. These influences were reflected in her music and helped to craft a musical style that was inspiring and moving. It is precisely the element of worship as a component of music that inspired her to write the lines of the Devil without music."
Abstract This review analyzes the different types of love that the characters of "Twelfth Night" undergo in their attempt to find love. The paper relates that the various characters in the story experience or show fabrications of love, lustful infatuations, and true conventional love.
From the Paper "There are various types of love experienced by the characters in Twelfth Night, along with the consequences that are created. The various individuals show fabrications of love, infatuation, as well as conventional love. At the end of the last act, Sebastian and Viola are reunited and their personalities in this scene allow all the puzzle pieces (i.e. mistaken identities) to fit together. The masks and disguises are ultimately removed and the characters can now follow their own identity, gender, and love interests."
An analysis of Henry Howard's (Earl of Surrey) Sonnet 12: "Alas So All Thinges Nowe Doe Holde Their Peace" and his contribution to sixteenth centuryEnglish poetry.
3,650 words (approx. 14.6 pages), 7 sources, 2002, $ 133.95
Abstract This essay will explore, through an analysis of Surrey's Sonnet 12 ("Alas so all thinges nowe doe holde their peace"), the significance of Surrey's work in the context of sixteenth centuryEnglish poetry. It will be argued that Surrey's greatest contribution in this regard was not in terms of poetic talent. His sonnets do not leave the reader "breathless" in admiration as do so many of Shakespeare's. Similarly, although his sonnets are often modeled on works by the Italian master Petrarch, they are generally considered inferior to the Italian originals. Rather, as will be seen, Surrey's contribution to English poetry was as an innovator. In terms of both form and content his sonnets - including the one discussed here - assimilate and revise existing Continental (Petrarchan) forms within an English context for an English audience. Includes annotated bibliography.
Abstract This paper examines the evolution in English literature through the 18th century in terms of style. The paper first describes how the century started with neo-classicism and ended with romanticism and explains that the latter can be seen as a revolt against the former. Neo-classicism is shown to be influenced by the rise of science, and the liberation in the arts brought about by the Restoration. The paper then charts how there is a gradual breaking away from the shackles of rationalism through the 18th century. The authors studied are Wycherley, Dryden, Pope, Gray, Burns, Blake, Richardson, Fielding and Bunyan.
From the Paper "Even though tending towards popular sentiment, much of the literature accounted for so far remained beyond mass readership. The first widely popular book was John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. The Puritans suffered suppression and imprisonment since the Restoration. Bunyan composed the book in prison, an allegorical account of life's journey, with Biblical significance. It too employed the simplicity of style that characterized the age, even though it stood up against the general trend. To sample the sparse simplicity, the pilgrims encounter the allegorical place of vane worldliness thus: "Then I saw in my dream, that when they were got out of the wilderness, they presently saw a town before them, and the name of that town is Vanity; and at the town there is a fair kept, called Vanity Fair: it is kept all the year long" (Bunyan, 1965, p. 105). Journalism was the other route to the heart of the people. "
This paper discusses the persistent association of poor areas and crime and how this notion is related to the 18th century's growth of English urban centers.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 6 sources, 2006, $ 106.95
Abstract This paper addresses the 18th century and the rise of English towns, business and industry but also divided social classes. Urban improvement or progress greatly benefited the wealthy and segregated the poor who were much more numerous. Due to fears of public disorder, crime and criminal law came to address the lower classes and ideas of poor areas as synonymous with crime.
From the Paper "In the early 21st century, one still sees environmental ideas of crime and criminality, in assumptions to do with inferior areas, poverty and deviance. One also notices ideas of 'progress' or development that can resemble those of the 18th century's growth of English urban centers. Notions of those who break the law continue to refer to differences of social class, the lower classes associated with crime, just as the law has been a creation of those higher up the ladder, a familiar theme in much literature on crime and criminal law in Britain."
Abstract This paper clearly interprets event and actions leading up the German and English reformations of the 16th century. It begins on the topic of Germany and its catalyst feudal systems and religious overlords, and goes on to study the works of martin Luther and his conniving methods and perseverance to proceed with his reformation through his 95-theses to eventually win the hearts of fed up peasants, merchants growing rich off the New World, greedy nobility, and challenge the authority of the Church and Pope. This paper also discusses the reformation of England started by King Henry VIII. It discusses in detail how Henry VIII invented his own hybrid religion, infused it into his own country to build national unity and to suit his own desires, and was excommunicated from the Catholic Church all while making himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England. This paper looks at societal cause and effects such as the printing press which allowed lower classes to become more educated, bible translations to common languages that allowed the lower classes to step past the clergy to speak freely with God, new merchant opportunities in the New World, and political gains of money and land.
From the Paper "In Sixteenth-century Europe, the material world was becoming increasingly distinct and spiritual ideals more confused, as the printing press spread information and humanist studies inspired ideas of doctrinal difference. The nations were becoming even more conscious of their nationalities, and the faithful were pained about the short comings of society and of the church. From the beginning the impulse to reform the Church had mingled with political currents. The spiritual impulse was dominated by dynastic intrigue, greed, and war, and in the end national politics determined the fate of the Reformation all over Europe. What began in a mood of spiritual piety had its triumph in the rearrangement of secular power."
Abstract The paper shows that the English stage during the late 17th century was a time of rebuilding, and also a time of creation. There were many different ideas on what theatre should be and it was very common for one person to have an idea, and as soon as it was known, opposing ideas were quickly published, followed by various defenses of the original idea. The paper discusses several people who were well known for their opinions from that time period, including Jeremy Collier, John Dryden, Alexander Pope, William Congreve and William Stubbs.
From the Paper "When the Stuart Dynasty returned to the throne of England in 1660, the playhouses were reopened. In August, Charles II issued patents for two companies of players, and performances immediately began. However, theatre had evolved a bit. The Royalty and the Nobility, as well as a few independent companies now owned theatrical troupes. Often the ones that had permanent theatres such as Convent Garden, Drury Lane and Dorset Garden had Noble backers to provide for the upkeep. Costumes were often second hand garments that the nobility no longer desired. Slowly the better-kept theatres became places to see and be seen. Often what was going on in the auditorium was just as much, or more interesting then what was on stage. The style of the playwriting was of a lesser form then that of the Elizabethan plays. It frequently utilized stereotypes and stock characters."
Tags: Elizabethan, Heroic, Stanzas, The, Old, Batchelor, An, Essay, on, Criticism
Abstract This paper studies the emergence and social and economic impact of the merchant class in England during the 18th century. The paper explains that as a result of the industrial revolution, the merchant class gained influence and authority. The paper traces this process, beginning with British society adopting a purely mercantilist approach towards trade and commerce and then the shifting of population centers from rural to urban areas. The paper then looks at how this shift impacted English attitude toward trace and commerce, commenting that it opened up society's attitudes toward global expansion.
From the Paper "There were some other factors as well, which affected the growth of the merchant class in eighteenth century England. In the eighteenth century, the British government imposed a legislation named "Enclosure Act", which encouraged the emigration of rural population to the cities. (Langford 70-72) In addition to this, higher wage rates prevailing in the urban labor markets encouraged the rural farmers and labors to move to cities in search for better opportunities so that they could improve their standard of living. This shift in population in turn influenced the growth of the merchant class. With the development of industries, several attractive commercial goods were made available in the cities. The availability of such commercial goods in the urban areas encouraged the urban populace to gain possession of these goods. Moreover, advancements in technology reduced the production cost and time of many goods. Several rural industries began to suffer because of the technological edge of the urban industrialists. This crisis also forced the urban people to adopt an urban way of life. (Langford 70)"
Tags: british, united, kingdom, industrial, revolution, commerce, trade, urbanization
Abstract This paper explores the changes, which took place in the English country house during the 18th century. The author argues that these developments occurred as a microcosm to the rest of the nation. The paper contends that it was the confluence of classicist and romantic influences which made the interior architecture of the period so striking.
From the Paper "The 18th century has been regarded as the epitome of the development of elegance of interior architecture throughout the Western world. Many critics believe that this century is unmatched in the history of the West with regard to the development of interior architectural styles. It is certain that during this century, perhaps more so than any other in recent historical memory, the development of interior styles was nearly without rival. Nowhere has this trend been more evidenced than in 18th century England in which the development of interior styles came head to head with various other socio-cultural forces to produce one of the most memorable periods in the history of design."
Abstract This paper explains the typical elements found in the literary genre known as Bildungsroman and then looks at the influence this particular genre had on English Victorian novels. The paper discusses three famous English novels and explains how they are examples of this genre.
From the Paper "When you read early nineteenth century novels, you notice some similarities between them with regard to construction and development of their characters. These similarities are due to the genre in which many Victorian novels fall, widely known as Bildungsroman. Bildungsroman as a genre took birth in Germany from where it came to England and affected literature of that time so much so that despite the uniqueness of each novel of that era, there are many similarities that force us to put them all under one single category."
