Untitled

[shirinshaghaghi-blog]

Aphra Behn, HBIC

Fun video about Aphra Behn.

[stevenconcordia1992]

I read The Rover by Aphra Behn in a previous class. Interestingly enough, it was another Restoration class. Comedy to be precise

[stevenconcordia1992]

The Country Wife’s One-Dimensional Characters

Restoration comedy is recognized for some of the strangest conventions when it comes to identifying people. There’s a lot of sexual feelings, innuendos and strange behaviour going on. But another thing to consider is that Restoration comedy consists of one-dimensional characters, caricatured by name, and driven by a single emotional drive such as seduction, lust, and greed. William Wycherley’s The Country Wife is no exception and is a great example. 

Being how the comedic play is very lighthearted fun, it thrives on and embraces its absurdity and otherwise horrifying characters; those that would be horrible to exist in real life, but are simply exaggerations and played-off versions of archetypes.

We have Mr. Horner, which sounds quite closer to Horny.

We have Mr. Harcourt which sounds like Hardcore and Hard C**k We have Mr and Mrs Pinchwife, I don’t even need to say anything beyond their names.

The comedy has tricks and all things trivial. Either you’re boring or you’re a horrible person. Embrace the horrifying stupidity and entertain hilariousity that is The Country Wife!

[stevenconcordia1992]

The Significance of Considering the Genres in Literature (Also, study methods)

William Wycherey - “The Country Wife” = Play, Restoration Comedy - Lighthearted. Purpose to open mind to new ideas and perspectives.

- RESTORE ideals Eliza Haywood - Fantomina = Short Novel, Amatory Fiction

- Outlet for expression due to politics of the time.

- Men are horrible, women are blind. Let’s fix both!

Earl of Rochester - “A Satyr against Reason and Mankind” = Satirical Poem

- Pride is dangerous. Narrator dehumanized in order to judge humanity

Earl of Rochester - “The Imperfect Enjoyment” = Poem

- More danger on pride, because men think with their penises.

Jonathan Swift - “The Lady’s Dressing Room” = Poem, Juvanalian Satire

- Making humour of women first, but then men for their exposure of truth.

Jonathan Swift - The Tatler no. 230 = Journal Entry

- Barbaric misuse of words in the English language. New material is poorly written

Jonathan Swift - Gulliver’s Travels = Prose parody

- Parody of autobiographical text and realism

Alexander Pope - “Essay on Criticism” = Major Poem

- Heroic couplets, aabbaabbaabb

- Rule of nature

- Classics rock, moderns suck

[stevenconcordia1992]

UPDATE:

Gulliver’s Travels, to be specific, is a satire on human nature AND a parody of the "travellers' tales" literary subgenre. Notice the author on the cover saying “Gulliver”. Good joke!

[stevenconcordia1992]

The Significance of Considering the Genres in Literature (Also, study methods)

William Wycherey - “The Country Wife” = Play, Restoration Comedy - Lighthearted. Purpose to open mind to new ideas and perspectives.

- RESTORE ideals Eliza Haywood - Fantomina = Short Novel, Amatory Fiction

- Outlet for expression due to politics of the time.

- Men are horrible, women are blind. Let’s fix both!

Earl of Rochester - “A Satyr against Reason and Mankind” = Satirical Poem

- Pride is dangerous. Narrator dehumanized in order to judge humanity

Earl of Rochester - “The Imperfect Enjoyment” = Poem

- More danger on pride, because men think with their penises.

Jonathan Swift - “The Lady’s Dressing Room” = Poem, Juvanalian Satire

- Making humour of women first, but then men for their exposure of truth.

Jonathan Swift - The Tatler no. 230 = Journal Entry

- Barbaric misuse of words in the English language. New material is poorly written

Jonathan Swift - Gulliver’s Travels = Prose parody

- Parody of autobiographical text and realism

Alexander Pope - “Essay on Criticism” = Major Poem

- Heroic couplets, aabbaabbaabb

- Rule of nature

- Classics rock, moderns suck

[stevenconcordia1992]

The Country Wife vs. Fantomina vs. The Lady’s Dressing Room = The Battles of Genders

What do The Country Wife, Fantomina and The Lady’s Dressing Room all have in common? They are heavily sexual, place a heavy emphasis on the faults of both sexes, pit man and woman against each other, while simultaneously insulting both, indirectly AND directly.

All these works show why both parties are at fault at different circumstances, but also demonstrate the hypocrisy of each. Men blame women for their disgusting habitat in The Lady’s Dressing Room, but it is men’s fault for fabricating these expectations. Fantomina, admittedly a piece of amatory fiction by a female writer, though it does demonize men, it demonstrates the blindness of women’s ambitions and insults them, by revelling as a cautionary tale for women AND a lesson men need to be taught, in order to shut them up. So, both these works seemingly make fun of one sex, only for the reader to learn that shots are being fired at the opposing sex.

The Country Wife is probably the only satire, (comedy, more specifically), that sets out to open people’s minds to the possibilities and new perspectives. It sort of acts as the peace treaty, for its light hearted content that humors both genders, but also sets out to implore people to listen out for each other and make peace. Both men and women have betrayed one another and shown true colors when its too late for the opposing sex to come to accept, forgive and understand the other. Ultimately, it’s a battle of genders to END all future battles of genders.

[kbadalone-engl321]

The Earl Of Rochester

Another interesting Poem is Rochester’s “A Satyr Against Reason and Mankind,” whose speaker takes on the form of someone who is non-human in order to critique humanity and their tenets the speaker believes they hold so high.

The passage in particular I’d like to bring attention to is part of the second stanza:

 The senses are too gross, and he’ll contrive A sixth, to contradict the other five, And before certain instinct, will prefer Reason, which fifty times for one does err; Reason, an ignis fatuus of the mind, Which, leaving light of nature, sense, behind.

Firstly, the speaker outlines that, in recognizing that the humans have five senses, they will deem them “too gross,” or otherwise interpreted as imprecise or too vague for humans. In seeing that (pun unintended) humans create “A sixth, to contradict the other five,” which will, following the logic of the last line, be more precise, less vague than the first five. This is in direct mockery of humans deciding that what is right in front of them is not true, and looking to find meaning beyond the five senses. The speaker identifies the sixth sense to be “reason” which the speaker says is, in fact much less precise than the five original senses. They “err … fifty times” because of reason, and the speaker goes on to add that reason is “an ignis fatuss of the mind.” A translation of ignis fatuss is “A “false fire,” known to lead travelers astray.” It’s actually a very interesting and intelligent metaphor to critique reason with. A fire is almost universally regarded as a symbol for knowledge or progress (as shown on the shirt I posted maybe two or three posts previous to this), even in these modern days. To call reason a “false fire” is an incredibly layered insult; what may be interpreted as knowledge is only causing humans misfortune and error. They are relying on this false fire all too often, instead of taking the time to converse with their true five senses.

The Earl of Rochester created a well-crafted insult that served the poem very well.

[stevenconcordia1992]

I never once considered that the speaker is taking the form of something non-human in order to critique humanity. I would have never thought about it either. What an interesting way to look at it! Now that you mention it, I can see it. At first, I thought you cannot critique a species unless you live as the species, but you need to detach to magnify the faults from an unbiased manner.  I think this is essential, because humanity is flawed and will always be flawed because it has the capacity to BE flawed. Thereby yes, the intent is smart and “Satyr” is a well-crafted insulted, just like you said.

[stevenconcordia1992]

Essay on Criticism - Where Does Nature tie into all of this?

“Those rules of old discovered, not devised,

Are Nature still, but Nature Methodized”

The quick version: Pope states that the classics rock and the moderns suck. (Some beliefs never change and are omnipresent).

But what’s all this have to do with Nature? Pope explains that everything new is garbage because it violates “the rule of Nature”. What does this mean?

Well, Alexander Pope believed that Nature was the one universal truth and should be the basis for all critics as they review literature. Nature is a constant. It’s all around us, always has been and continues to do so. We recognize nature for sustenance, beauty and nurture. It’s a aspect of life that is subjective, but there is no good or bad. Nature just IS. In many ways, Art is the same way too. The epitome of subjectivity, art is. It just....is.

Literature, as art and expression, is very much the same. 

One way modern literature often fails and violates the rule of Nature is that it lacks the capacity to sustain relevancy and purpose.

But Pope doesn’t necessarily mean “outside” when he means Nature. He treats is ambiguously, and that’s partially why his of the term also sustains and lasts...almost as though it is frozen in time and not affected by time.

Pope believed that Nature was a series of universal truths that extended beyond the individual, regardless of his background and beliefs. According to Pope, it is these universal truths should be the basis for judging literature. He warns against using individual experience and personal knowledge as a criteria for critiquing saying that these will not be fair and accurate.

Nature is not devised by man, simply rediscovered. Being delicate and not violating the rule of Nature is having respect for that. Tainting and tempering alters, and the synthetic outcome of new age work is exposed to shots to be taken. Of course Pope states it’s all garbage, new is mechanically changed Nature, which is not nature at all. Nature needs to be channelled and/or methodized to come out on top in literature. Unless it does so, it will never have the capacity to last or sustain.

[stevenconcordia1992]

Alexander Pope - Heroic Couplets

“An Essay on Criticism” is often recognized as a textual representation of Alexander Pope’s correspondence; his stance on old versus new writing. In “Essay”, he writes in a rhyming verse called Heroic Couplets, which was commonly used for epics and narrative poetry of the time. 

However, the use of heroic couplets in Pope’s “Essay” seem suitable BECAUSE it is his correspondence. When you read it, there’s a sense of enthusiasm and confident. He wants to drive a point across, but also shout it out, had it be heard. It is almost as though he pertains his words to BE heroic. You almost imagine him stating the passages out loud in a motivational speech, with an anthem being played and a flag being shown in his backdrop.

Whether this use of heroic couplets has close-reading, intertextual purpose is up to the reader, but I do believe that “Essay” is portrayed the way it is, in order to make you listen.

It’s interesting to see a work of subjectivity be demonstrated in a matter that expresses a belief that is believed as objective by its author. Pope presents himself as so certain and as though his message in “Essay” is of the greatest and utmost importance. The best part is that it also doesn’t seem driven by pent up emotions or personal feelings, but through the desire to be constructive. How peculiar, considering that the Essay is both actual constructive criticism, and ON criticism.

[stevenconcordia1992]

Consider This Moral of The Country Wife: Men and Women Should Talk more often

This passage is by William Wycherley, the author of The Country Wife. Strangely enough, the passage also reminds me of Swift’s The Lady’s Dressing Room. Men are thrown off guard by women’s truthfully disgusting but also relatable natural habitat, but it is their fault for having this fabricated and misguided expectation of them. If men and women talked more often, this wouldn’t be an issue.

But what of The Country Wife? Well, the narrative consists of much witty, blunt sexual dialogue, much of which is content that would make most people of the time uncomfortable for how taboo it was at the time. Much of this was due to how men and women didn’t talk bluntly about what makes them them, so when the time comes to dish out sexual innuendos and upfront behaviour, it becomes off-putting and discomforting for many readers. The concept of sex is so open and the title of the story insinuates the epitome of boredom.

Ultimately, Wycherley comes off as someone who says that we’ve been silent about things like this for far too long. 

[shaneoblog-blog]

Isn’t it funny that this problem of men and women not talking to eachother seems to transcend time and space as the root of conflict between these two genders, whether in literature or reality? 

Go as far back as the story of Adam and Eve and a simple conversation about “hey…there’s this snake over there and he told me to tell you to eat this apple okay bye” could have so easily solved EVERYTHING. Now, that would of course make for dull plot (not conflict, then whats the point) but even so, its a puzzling aspect found in these stories and in our cultural dynamic. What’s so scary about exchanging a few words?

[stevenconcordia1992]

I know, right? It’s almost as though we’re trying to use it as conflict in stories and narrative to ADDRESS that this is a problem in the real world too. If only people would wake up and smell the coffee, am I right?  I do feel that people need to expect to loosen up though if we are to live in a reality where men and women communicate on a worthwhile level, because they’re all in for a rude awakening of the truths of the genders....AND the truths about people in general. Let’s peel away that bark, people! Teach your kids to talk to boys and girls, too!

[stevenconcordia1992]

Consider This Moral of The Country Wife: Men and Women Should Talk more often

This passage is by William Wycherley, the author of The Country Wife. Strangely enough, the passage also reminds me of Swift’s The Lady’s Dressing Room. Men are thrown off guard by women’s truthfully disgusting but also relatable natural habitat, but it is their fault for having this fabricated and misguided expectation of them. If men and women talked more often, this wouldn’t be an issue.

But what of The Country Wife? Well, the narrative consists of much witty, blunt sexual dialogue, much of which is content that would make most people of the time uncomfortable for how taboo it was at the time. Much of this was due to how men and women didn’t talk bluntly about what makes them them, so when the time comes to dish out sexual innuendos and upfront behaviour, it becomes off-putting and discomforting for many readers. The concept of sex is so open and the title of the story insinuates the epitome of boredom.

Ultimately, Wycherley comes off as someone who says that we’ve been silent about things like this for far too long. 

[thebloopmeister]

True Wit

“True wit is nature to advantage dressed, what oft was thought, but ne’er so well expressed.”
- Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Criticism Here, Pope establishes the difference between “wit” and what one might refer to as “wisdom,” asserting that what constitutes wit is not the ability to conceive revolutionary ideas, but to express a pre-existing idea in a concise, clever, and creative manner; to dress a “natural” thought “to advantage,” to turn an old phrase. This could indeed be the key to understanding the brilliance behind the satirical works of the likes of Swift, Rochester, and Pope himself, who, while likely not in possession of any revolutionary ideas unthought-of by the cynical philosophers of Ancient Greece, were extremely adept at putting their ideas forth in a craftily metaphorical, humorous, and most importantly, contemporary way.

[stevenconcordia1992]

I am glad that someone noticed Pope establishing that there IS a difference between Wit and Wisdom. Wit implies the capacity to be sharp, intelligent and inventive. Even in small doses.

Wisdom implies timeless, universal advise that comes with age and experience. But the two alone aren’t enough. One must know what is applicable in life for words of wisdom. A slice of life that you share and provide to the public. Swift, Rochester and Pope are arbiters and masters of wisdom because they are masters of life, balance and control. It is an awareness that is obtained.

[stevenconcordia1992]

Beer Street & Gin Lane

William Hogarth made two prints back in 1751.

He portrays the inhabitants of Beer Street as happy and healthy, nourished by the native English ale, and those who live in Gin Lane as destroyed by their addiction to the foreign spirit of gin; but, as with so many of Hogarth's works, closer inspection uncovers other targets of his satire, and reveals that the poverty of Gin Lane and the prosperity of Beer Street are more intimately connected than they at first appear. Gin Lane shows shocking scenes of infanticide, starvation, madness, decay and suicide, while Beer Street depicts industry, health, bonhomie and thriving commerce.

The reason I am sharing this is because the Restoration period has been recognized not only for its creative act to Restore, but also enlighten and share a perspective. Beer Street and Gin Lane can be equated to simply old similarities with marketing ploys and commercialism. Not to mention, it’s not “literature” in the often-associated regard. But I still thought that it was a worthwhile piece at how people demonstrate what the world is and the what the world can be, for better or for worse.

Furthermore, it teaches us the best of us that there’s always a crappier story somewhere out there and the worst of us that there’s a better story somewhere out there, as well.

Not to mention, though an artist and cartoonist primarily, William Hogarth was also a satirist and social critic, same as Eliza Haywood, Earl of Rochester, Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift. It’s best we share a little love for people like this during the time period.

[stevenconcordia1992]

Fantomina (If the protagonist was more direct)

This is exactly what I was thinking the entire time I read Fantomina and was writing up my essay on the use of disguise in the novel.

[stevenconcordia1992]

And Now, a Little Word From The Man Himself

[stevenconcordia1992]

Imperfect Enjoyment - The misconceived notion that failing to demonstrate masculine traits is failure at all.

The Imperfect Enjoyment portrays a man who is portraying his inability to please a woman. He starts the poem in the middle of a sexual interaction with a woman describing every move he’s making in an attempt to please her. It seems like she is dictating what is going on, while he is fumbling along to keep up. He seems to be doing a lot of kissing and not really pleasing her sexually. “When, with a thousand kisses wandering o’er my panting bossem, “Is there then no more?” She cries. “All this to love and rapture’s due; must we not pay a debt to pleasure too?” The narrator seems to agree with his partner that he doesn’t know what he is doing and describes himself as forlorn as well as lost “But I, the most forlorn, lost man alive, to showed my wished obedience vainly strive: I sigh, alas! and kiss, but cannot swive. His confusion then turns to anger. He is upset with his inability to please this woman and is also angered by his past sexual experiences. “And rage at last confirms me impotent.” The narrator later claims that his past experiences have been with “whores” and low class woman who he didn’t really care about and now is baffled and confused when he’s with a woman he actually likes.

The narrator’s past seems to be catching up with with and as he gets more upset, his self esteem seems to lower. “What oyster-cinder-beggar-common whore didst thou e’er fail in all thy life before? When vice, disease, and scandal leads the way, with what officious haste doest thou obey!”

I suppose at the end of the day, men need to realize that they have brains and they need to think with those. Not their penises. Loss of respect for control leads to losing control. Part of the issue is that men think they are their penises, thereby misconceiving that they can direct and compose with their penis. Love, Life, Satisfaction and Gratification are so much more than that.

[stevenconcordia1992]

“The Imperfect Enjoyment” - We all may come to know that feeling, bro

Every heard the saying: “You can have too much of a good thing”?

The reason for this is because an excess of anything in the world has ramifications that we do not see at first. Heck, an extremely excessive intake of Calcium or Vitamin C could lead one to develop a Kidney Stone. YIKES!

This sort of lesson applies to sex as well. There is such a think as drowning in your own sexual desires, destroying the satisfaction that should follow or initially follows. Rochester has explored this aspect as well.

As stated in a previous post, a Libertine is a person who behaves without moral principles or a sense of responsibility, ESPECIALLY in sexual matters. This libertine is Earl of Rochester. This is a man that takes a stand, both with sword and pen.....apparently, with his penis too! There’s a reason why libertines are typically men: symbols of masculine power are everywhere. Masculine is seen as power! And power and pride go hand-in-hand. And as stated in the previous two posts, pride is dangerous. Especially an excess of pride. In Rochester’s poem, “The Imperfect Enjoyment” sexual desires is the pride, and the imperfect enjoyment is the downfall part.

The key to overcoming such dread is understanding the true value of, and having respect of, sex....oh, and power too, I guess.

[stevenconcordia1992]

Rochester’s “A Satyr (Satire?) against Reason and Mankind” - Pride = Demise

In my previous post, I insinuate that libertinism is dangerous. However, I never implied that Rochester was one of those dangerous men or that he had a false reason. Rochester demonstrates in his work that he understands both the good and the bad in the world, as well as both the good and the bad of libertinism. He used this knowledge to channel to potential for bad by regulating the faults of humanity in a way that Restoration is recognized for: through Satire.

Rochester was many things, including his satirist. In his poem “A Satyr against Reason and Mankind”, Rochester makes references to animals, equating them as representations of different kinds of people, the different emotions and the different feelings. One of these feelings he exemplifies and elaborates on the dangers of is Pride. We already discussed how Pride is a hubris and can lead to one’s tragic downfall, particularly in those that are enforced extremists that are out of balance and go about ideals in transgressive/dangerous ways.

To Rochester, it seems as though man is at his worst when he is a man of pride, and that wisdom is far more important. The poem is an attempt for Rochester to demonstrate that he understands the faults and dangers of his way, and that that is why he is the most suitable man to play the role he plays, as he admits, does not deny, and revels in awareness. The acceptance of the reality makes him NOT a fool. Not that he necessarily could never be led astray, but the poem acts as a constant reminder for him and the people he had read it.