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Gulliver's Travels was a really fun and easy read. The author's ideas of the Lilliputians and Brobdingnagians were so imaginative and interesting symbols to represent society. The Lilliputians really do represent how mighty humans think we are, and the Brobdingnagians give an interesting perspective over our physical features and how we are perceived by other creatures. Really enjoyed reading this story and excited to see Gulliver's next adventure.
A strange effect of narrow principles and short views!
Gulliver is surprised with the viewpoint of the giants.
produce.
Gulliver does not seem happy with the current political state of Europe.
as if I had been pelted with tennis-balls,
The simile comparing hail to tennis balls gives the reader an idea to what size the hail was.
defend myself against these detestable animals
Flies were huge to Gulliver, which was excruciating to deal with.
which to me was for some time a very nauseous sight.
Since the Queen was so large, watching her eat up close was disgusting.
I made her a low bow, took out my knife and fork, and fell to eat, which gave them exceeding delight.
First Gulliver is the giant on an island, and now he is on an island of giants. How ironic.
; but my heart leaped
Personification of Gulliver's heart conveys his joy and excitement of seeing his native country.
alacrity
"brisk and cheerful readiness."
Ingratitude is, among them, a capital crime
Gulliver has been nothing but kind and gracious to them, so why don't let him go?
perform.
So he's "free", but not really. He still has to follow all their rules and cannot leave to go home.
like that of a water-mill; and we conjecture it is either some unknown animal,
They don't know what the watch is so they automatically assume it is something negative.
rabble
"a disorderly crowd; a mob."
When this shower of arrows was over,
The personification of the arrows helps the reader picture the arrows raining down onto Gulliver's hand.
ligatures
"a thing used for tying or binding something tightly."
get clear of the ship and the rock
If you stay where the ship is sinking, it will pull you down with it.
I accepted an advantageous offer
Gulliver wasn't successful in other businesses, and had to continue life at sea.
Imoinda.
This story was a lot more brutal than our past reads. The story was very easy to read, and the imagery was very descriptive. The reader can clearly find themes of racism and slavery within the story, and it gave me a little more insight on the time period the story was placed in. I was a bit shocked by the ending. It was pretty gruesome and gory, and we haven't had many stories with such a sad ending. An exciting read for sure, but very sad for Oroonoko and Imoinda.
he, with a hand resolved, and a heart breaking within
The author personifies two different parts of his body to show his contrasting feelings of killing Imoinda. His hand is resolved, but his heart is sad.
Caesar has spoke like a great captain, like a great king.”
Foreshadowing that Oroonoko will have a similar downfall the Caesar the king.
For seeing a kinsman of mine set some paper on fire with a burning-glass, a trick they had never before seen, they were like to have adored him for a god,
The people were impressionable.
but while we had Caesar in our company on these designs, we feared no harm, nor suffered any.
Oroonoko brought comfort to his people.
asseveration,
"the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something."
but that by no means he should tell him she was sold, but secretly put to death: for he knew he should never obtain his pardon for the other.
The King commands the messenger to tell Oroonoko that Imoinda was put to death, when she was really forced to be a slave.
bosom
"chest"
Aboan understood him, and assured him he would make love so effectually
Aboan must act like he is truly in love with Onahal.
“A negro can change color”: for I have seen ’em as frequently blush, and look pale, and that as visibly as ever I saw in the most beautiful white.
Descriptions of color seem to be used frequently, in both imagery and metaphors
and ’twas death, at any other time, for any other to go in
Oroonoko cannot visit Imoinda or else he will be charged with death.
the beautiful black Venus to our young Mars
Author uses a metaphor to describe the characteristics of the main characters. The daughter was beautiful and graceful like the goddess of love, and Oroonoko was fierce and courageous like the god of war.
. His face was not of that brown rusty black which most of that nation are, but of perfect ebony, or polished jet. His eyes were the most awful that could be seen, and very piercing; the white of ’em being like snow, as were his teeth.
The author uses similes and imagery to create a picture of Oroonoko for the audience. He seems to stand out from the rest of the people from his nation.
guarded her eyes from beholding him; and never approached him but she looked down with all the blushing modesty I have seen in the most severe and cautious of our world.
They had very reserved and subtle ways of courtship.
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I enjoyed this reading by Francis Bacon. The points were a little drawn out, but I think the metaphors and analogies really helped convey his feelings about each topic. I feel like we've had a lot of readings with advice about different aspects of life, and it's interesting how different their perspectives are. I particularly liked his section about studies, because it emphasized the more enjoyable part of learning, rather than the stressful parts.
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested;
Some books need a skim, some need a full read, and some need to be carefully analyzed.
penury.
"extreme poverty; destitution"
surcharge
"an additional charge or payment."
extirpation
"to remove or destroy totally; do away with; exterminate. to pull up by or as if by the roots; root up: to extirpate an unwanted hair."
similitude
:"a comparison between two things."
epicycles
"an epicycle used to describe planetary orbits in the Ptolemaic system."
Wives are young men’s mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men’s nurses;
It sounds like the job of the wife completely depends on the state of the husband.That doesn't seem very fair.
“vetulam suam prætulit immortalitati.
What does this mean?
facile
"appearing neat and comprehensive only by ignoring the true complexities of an issue; superficial."
that mixture of falsehood is like alloy in coin of gold and silver, which may make the metal work the better, but it embaseth it.
The author uses a simile to compare lying to mixing gold and silver in an alloy. Lying makes your life easier, but it taints it and causes your life to be unpure.
“It is a pleasure to stand upon the shore, and to see ships tossed upon the sea: a pleasure to stand in the window of a castle, and to see a battle, and the adventures thereof below: but no pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage ground of truth, (a hill not to be commanded, and where the air is always clear and serene,) and to see the errors, and wanderings, and mists, and tempests in the vale below:”
Anaphora of "it is a pleasure" signifies the difference between seeing violent scenes and lying.
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These poems were a little easier to comprehend, and I enjoyed reading them. Wroth used many metaphors to characterize love throughout her poems. This caused the image of love to shift constantly, from bad to good, and I believe it helped the poems accurately portray love in real life. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it hurts. Thinking about making my WP4 about these selections, since there were so many comparisons and imagery.
He will triumph in your wailing; And yet cause be of your failing:
When you cry over someone, it signifies that your love for them is strong, so technically love does "triumph in your failing".
Love like a juggler, comes to play his prize,
I found this comparison really interesting. Is the personification of love saying it makes us juggle many things at once, or that love juggles many people at once?
first.
Love appears beautiful at first but there are many dark experiences that lie underneath.
Love what art thou?
The refrain exposes the many ways love can appear.
then thus remain and foster storms, still to torment thy wretched soul withall, since all are little, and too too little for such a loss.
The authors compares sadness in the soul to storms to show how devastating and violent sorrow can be.
As she was thus in passion mixt with pain, throwing her eyes as wildly as timorous lovers do for fear of discovery,
Wroth uses a simile comparing her feelings to nervous lovers. It conveys the character's excitement and nervousness.
Echo
then was I contented, now perplexed.
At first she was content with her life, but now she is inspired to know and do more.
F I N I S.
Loved the power and feminism of this piece, especially since it was written in a male-dominated period. I know many people will find Lanyar's writing a bit extreme and offensive, but for a time period where women often weren't heard, I think the main points are appropriate. For the second piece, it was a bit lengthy, but a beautiful tribute to Cookham. The imagery and personification describing Cookham was beautiful and really brought the place to life. From her writing, I believe Lanyer proves herself to be a great role model for women.
The Floures that o[n] the banks and walkes did grow, Crept in the ground, the Grasse did weepe for woe. The Windes and Waters seem’d to chide together,
Personification of the flowers, grass, wind, and water, show how sad it was when the women left Cookham.
Ages hoarie haires,
"like old people with gray hair"
Whose pleasing boughes did yeeld a coole fresh ayre, Ioying his happinesse when you were there. Where beeing seated, you might plainely see, Hills, vales, and woods, as if on bended knee They had appeard, your honour to salute, Or to preferre some strange vnlook’d for sute: All interlac’d with brookes and christall springs,
Lots of nature imagery present in this poem. Really sets the scene of Cookham for the reader.
Sou’raigntie;
Sovereignty
woman, sent a woman to declare his most glorious resurrection to the rest of his Disciples
There's a lot of speculation about Mary Magdalene's character, and people often forget that Jesus appeared to her first after his Resurrection.
Then shall I thinke my Glasse a glorious Skie,
If the Queen is in the mirror, it will look like a glorious and beautiful.
I humbly wish that yours may light on me: That so these rude unpollisht lines of mine, Graced by you may seeme the more diuine.
She wishes to be graced by the beams (beauty or presence?) of the queen.
From warlike Pallas, Wisdome, Fortitude; And from faire Venus all her Excellencies, With their best parts your Highnesse is indu’d:
It's nice seeing a poem from this time period that focuses on the greatness of women.
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I really enjoyed reading John Dunne's poetry. I knew the main themes were about love and religion, but to understand a lot of the poems, I had to research the symbols and word meanings associated with each poem. It was hard to find the true meaning of the poems if I didn't close-read and analyze them, and even then, the meanings are up to interpretation. My favorite poem was "A Valediction Forbidding Mourning," as it really showed how time spent away from someone can help you appreciate them more. The poems weren't clear-cut and dry, but overall, as a poetry fan, they were still enjoyable to read.
Those are my best days, when I shake with fear.
The best days are when he knows of God's greatness and fears him.
three-person’d God
Signifies the trinity
So whilst our infant loves did grow, Disguises did, and shadows, flow
While their new loves grow, so do their disguises they've created of themselves.
manacled
"fetter (a person or a part of the body) with manacles" (cuffs)
allay
"diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, or worry)."
dross
"something regarded as worthless; rubbish."
And that thou thinkst thee free From all solicitation from me, Then shall my ghost come to thy bed,
Even if she tries to escape him, his ghost will come to her bed.
endure not yet A breach, but an expansion, Like gold to aery thinness beat
His loss has not formed a hole in his heart yet, but instead, an expansion of love and appreciation for the person.
Inter-assurèd
"to declare earnestly to; inform or tell positively; state with confidence to"
aery
"characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air."
STAY, O sweet, and do not rise ; The light that shines comes from thine eyes ;
The speaker is comparing his lover to the sun. Both rise when the night is over. He does not want his lover to rise, because it means his time with her is over.
ballast
" to steady or equip with "
When thou weep’st, unkindly kind, My life’s blood doth decay.
Any emotion his lover feels affects him as well.
But come bad chance, And we join to it our strength, And we teach it art and length, Itself o’er us to advance.
Although we can't lengthen or recall time, we are able to make the best of bad situations. So although we seem weak, we can take all our bad circumstances and make ourselves stronger.
I can love any, so she be not true.
He can love any kind of girl. I can't tell if this last line means "I can love them as long as they are true" or "I can love any of them because none of them are true."
She’s all states, and all princes I ;
Uses a metaphor to compare him and his lover to states and princes. Princes want to own states and rule them.
Through windows, and through curtains, call on us ? Must to thy motions lovers’ seasons run ?
The sun coming up interrupts lovers' nights.
Then you have done a braver thing Than all the Worthies did ; And a braver thence will spring, Which is, to keep that hid.
It is brave to love a woman and make it known, because it makes you vulnerable.
My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears, And true plain hearts do in the faces rest ;
The speaker can only see his lover, and likewise, his lover can only see him. The are at peace with eachother.
This flea is you and I, and this
I can't tell if the flea represents the couple's relationship or their bed. Possibly both? Maybe it represents the draining relationship the couple is in.
[Exit.]
I enjoyed reading a play about the tragedy of a scholar, as opposed to the typical plays we read about dragons, knights, kings, and love. I think Faustus was doomed from the start. He already knew so much about the world, but still wanted more power. His fall seemed similar to Lucifer's, as Lucifer had everything in heaven, but still wanted more, which caused his demise. At the end of the story, it reminded me of Everyman, because he asked for help from his friends, but they couldn't do anything. Overall, this play was really unique and I enjoyed reading it.
or let this hour be but A year, a month, a week, a natural day, That Faustus may repent and save his soul!
In the last hour, Faustus tries to repent. Seems a bit ridiculous considering the many chances he had before.
felicity
"intense happiness."
And, with a vial full of precious grace, Offers to pour the same into thy soul: Then call for mercy, and avoid despair.
The old man tells Faustus to repent for his sins.
niggard
"a stingy or ungenerous person."
Misericordia pro nobis!
"Compassion for us!"
squibs
"a small firework that burns with a hissing sound before exploding."
Polypragmos Belseborams framanto pacostiphos tostu, Mephistophilis, &c.
What does this mean?
gull
"fool or deceive (someone)."
The POPE crosses himself again
Significance of the number 3 - the trinity
perriwig
"a highly styled wig worn formerly as a fashionable headdress by both women and men" Simile comparing pride to a fancy wig, because of how high it sits and presents itself to others.
dominion
"sovereignty or control."
intelligentia
"intellectuals or highly educated people as a group, especially when regarded as possessing culture and political influence."
I will renounce this magic and repent.
Faustus can't seem to commit to one side.
MEPHIST. O, what will not I do to obtain his soul? [Aside.]
Is Mephistophilis tricking Faustus?
signiory
"a feudal lordship; the position, authority, or domain of a feudal lord."
quasi vestigiis nostris[75] insistere.
"'As if to follow in our footsteps."
Qui mihi discipulus?
"Those who to me was a disciple?"
CLOWN.
Comic relief of the story, usually has a deeper meaning within the play.
abjure
"solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim)."
countenance
"a person's face or facial expression."
sirrah
"used as a term of address for a man or boy, especially one younger or of lower status than the speaker."
basest
"denoting or befitting a person of low social class."
Of power, of honour, of omnipotence, Is promis’d to the studious artizan!
Faustus has accomplished many great things, but he wants more. He wants to control everything, like a god.
Exhoereditare filium non potest pater, nisi, &c.[15]
"a father may not disinherit his son unless..."
paltry
"petty; trivial."
His waxen wings did mount above his reach, And, melting, heavens conspir’d his overthrow;
Dr. Faustus reached too high, like Icarus, which led to his demise. An allusion to the story of Daedalus and Icarus.
intent.
I enjoyed the overall story, but the spelling of the words and syntax made it impossible to read at times. I often found myself reading entire stanzas and having to reread because I couldn't pick up a single idea. Like others have said, from other sources I know the story is full of metaphors and allegories, but I think I would need a lot more time to closely read and fully comprehend the story. The first half was insanely confusing when everyone disguised themselves as somebody else, but I eventually recovered my bearings near the end of that section. Some of the characters representing virtues reminded me a lot of Everyman, which I did enjoy. It's interesting how the author portrays each of these virtues and has their actions parallel real-life. Not my favorite reading so far, but props to the author for telling such a complex story.
There did I find, or rather I was found Of this false woman, that Fidessa hight, Fidessa hight the falsest Dame on ground, Most false Duessa, royall richly dight,
Redcrosse argues he is not betrothed to Fidessa because she was a fake.
His blazing eyes, like two bright shining shields, Did burne with wrath, and sparkled liuing fyre; As two broad Beacons,
The author uses similes to compare the dragon's body parts to human objects, so we have a reference for what the dragon looks like.
Dame Cælia men did her call, as thought From heauen to come, or thither to arise, The mother of three daughters, well vpbrought In goodly thewes, and godly exercise: The eldest two most sober, chast, and wise, Fidelia and Speranza virgins were, Though spousd, yet wanting wedlocks solemnize; But faire Charissa to a louely fere
Caelia - Heavenly, Fidelia - Faithful, Speranza - Hope, Charissa - Grace; These virtues can help pull someone out of despair.
And all the day in doing good and godly deedes.
Una brings Redcrosse to the House of Holiness to pull him out of despair. A metaphor for how trusting in God and having faith can save you from despair.
Arise, Sir knight arise, and leaue this cursed place.
Una proves to be Redcrosse's saving grace, as she both literally and figuratively pulls him out of the cave of despair. This shows how much Redcrosse means to Una (and vice versa) and how she can pull him out of the darkest places.
From that day forth Duessa was his deare
Duessa stopped the Giant from killing Redcrosse, so now he loves her.
Of murdred men which therein strowed lay, Without remorse, or decent funerall: Which all through that great Princesse pride did fall And came to shamefull end. And them beside
Thousands of bodies of men who fell to Pride.
There was Ixion turned on a wheele, For daring tempt the Queene of heauen to sin; And Sisyphus an huge round stone did reele Against an hill, ne might from labour lin; There thirstie Tantalus hong by the chin; And Tityus fed a vulture on his maw; Typhoeus ioynts were stretched on a gin, Theseus condemned to endlesse slouth by law, And fifty sisters water in leake vessels draw.
Famous characters in Greek mythology that are trapped in the Underworld.
When two of three her Nephews are so fowle forlorne?
So are the Sans brothers Duessa's nephews?
And Phoebus fresh, as bridegrome to his mate, Came dauncing forth, shaking his deawie haire: And hurld his glistring beames through gloomy aire.
Phoebus' (Apollo) movements represent the sun rising since he is the God of the Sun.
But this was drawne of six vnequall beasts, On which her six sage Counsellours did ryde,
Possibly representing the deadly sins?
It was a goodly heape for to behould, And spake the praises of the workmans wit; But full great pittie, that so faire a mould Did on so weake foundation euer sit: For on a sandie hill, that still did flit, And fall away, it mounted was full hie, That euery breath of heauen shaked it: And all the hinder parts, that few could spie, Were ruinous and old, but painted cunningly.
The Palace metaphor for the virtue of Pride, which seems strong and courageous at first glance, but is built on insecurity and false appearances.
And on his shield Sans loy in bloudie lines was dyde. When nigh he drew vnto this gentle payre And saw the Red-crosse, which the knight did beare,
Sans loy thinks the knight is actually Redcrosse, so he wants to avenge his brother.
And weeping said, Ah my long lacked Lord, Where haue ye bene thus long out of my sight?
Not the real Redcrosse Instead, it is Archimago in disguise.
All night she thinks too long, and often lookes for light.
She's stays awake thinking of her night, and searches for a sliver of hope that he will return.
Then turning to his Lady, dead with feare her found.
Is Fidessa dead?
With whom as once I rode accompanyde, Me chaunced of a knight encountred bee, That had a like faire Lady by his syde, Like a faire Lady, but did fowle Duessa hyde.
Suspiciously sounds like the Knight's previous encounter... I'm predicting Fidessa is Duessa in disguise.
The Lady when she saw her champion fall, Like the old ruines of a broken towre,
The author uses a simile to compare the Knight falling to an old tower. Once high and mighty, but now weak and destroyed.
He saw diuided into double parts,
Archimago divided Una and her Knight so they would be easier targets.
Like a young Squire, in loues and lusty-hed
The sorcerer turned another spright into a Squire to lie with the fake Una and trick the Knight
With that misformed spright he backe returnd againe.
The Knight did not fall for the trick and went back to sleep.
Errours
Is this supposed to be Error? Like a figurative representation?
The sayling Pine, the Cedar proud and tall, The vine-prop Elme, the Poplar neuer dry, The builder Oake, sole king of forrests all, The Aspine good for staues, the Cypresse funerall. The Laurell, meed of mightie Conquerours And Poets sage, the Firre that weepeth still, The Willow worne of forlorne Paramours, The Eugh obedient to the benders will, The Birch for shaftes, the Sallow for the mill, The Mirrhe sweete bleeding in the bitter wound, The warlike Beech, the Ash for nothing ill, The fruitfull Oliue, and the Platane round, The caruer Holme, the Maple seeldom inward sound.
The author uses the appearance of the trees to create personalities for each of them.
In loues and gentle iollities arrayd,
What does this mean?
Phoebus
"(also known as Apollo) is one of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology." When they talk about his lamp, maybe they're talking about the sun?
KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE,
The Redcrosse knight is said to represent a Christian fighting against evil or a Protestant fighting the Catholic church.