University of Wits

University Wits

 2. Match List I with List II

 List I                                   List II 

 (a) George Peele                (i) Cornelia 

 (b) Robert Greene             (ii) Eupheus 

 (c) John Lyly                     (iii) The Arraignment of Paris 

 (d) Thomas Kyd                (iv) The Pinner of Wakefield

 Codes:   (a)      (b)         (c)           (d) 

        (1)   (iii)    (i)          (iv)         (ii) 

        (2)   (iii)    (ii)          (iv)         (i) 

        (3)   (iii)    (iv)         (ii)          (i) 

        (4)    (ii)    (iv)          (i)         (iii) 

Background Context: University Wits are the University Graduates from the Cambridge and Oxford. They Contributed a lot to the setting of dramatic performances and dramatic literature before the arrival of the important Dramatists such as Ben Jonson and Willian Shakespeare. The group of the University Wits consists of great Writers like Thomas Kyd, George Peele, Robert Greene, Thomas Lodge, Thomas Nashe and Christopher Marlowe. All of them Revolves around the central sun Marlowe. These Universities men were usually actors as well as Dramatists. 

Explanation: Explanation: John Lyly, the courtier made notable contribution to the formation of English Comedy. His Comedies are romantic as well as witty. The University Wits made Definite improvement in the art of Characterisation. Lyly is best known for his romantic prose work “Euphues” that gave English Language Euphuistic Style. The comedies of GEORGE PEELE are both satirical as well as humorous. Peele made drama rich and decorative by his poetic wealth. “The Arrangement of Paris” (1584) is a pastoral play in verse which celebrates Queen Elizabeth’s Beauty and Virtue. Kyd probably begin his career as a popular playwright about 1583 and produced his most significant work “The Spanish Comedy”. He translated Torquato Tasso’s Padre de famiglia (1583) published as The Householder’s Philosophy (1588) is the only non-dramatic work attributed to Kyd and Robert Garnier’s Cornelia published as the same name in 1594. Robert Greene is considered as the foremost of the University of Wits in terms of literary output and in terms of the colourful life that he enjoyed during that time and it is said about him that “he was the publish, remained the longest and the first to leave”. He was a prolific writer, he produced over 20 works which are credited to his own name. The play George a Greene The pinner of Wakefield which provide George with his name was written in 1593 by an anonymous writer. 

Direct Answer (3) (iii) (iv) (ii) (i)

Mankind I Medieval Morality Play

 1. The medieval morality play Mankind opens with a sermon by ____________. 

           

(1) Devil 

(2) Mercy 

(3) Kindred 

(4) Fellowship

Background Context: The Morality Plays were basically Didactic in purpose and mostly has personification of abstractions such as Mankind, Mercy, Peace, Good and Bad Angels etc. Morality Plays describe the lives of people facing the Temptation of the world. The plays are careful to present the Warning to the unwary that their souls are always in the peril that the devil is on the constant watch that the people must behave properly if they are to be saved. Later on the Allegories were introduced in the Morality Plays. Mankind is a short morality Play whereas Everyman is a masterpiece and one of the best example of Morality play.

Explanation: Mankind is one of the most famous Morality Play of Medieval Period. From the Title you can understand that it is an Allegory, Mankind is not an individual but it represents all of us. The Play begins with Mercy, he helps the Protagonist called Mankind with his good advice. When Mercy speaks, he presents words of GOD. Mercy doesn’t have an individual name like Thomas or Smith but he is called Mercy. Because Mercy is a Quality, which means compassion so his character is compassion. In the beginning he says my name is Mercy and I am the one who is sad for your SINS. He then praises god and warns every one against Temptation that if you commit Sin then on the last day of last Judgement GOD will send you to HELL. 

Direct Answer: (3) Mercy

 

John Bunyan's | Pilgrim's Progress

 

The Pilgrims Progress is an allegory by John Bunyan published in 1678. It was written in prison. John Bunyan was a staunch Puritan, who adopted preaching as his profession. In his autobiography he has depicted the story of his conversion. After the restoration, Bunyan was imprisoned for his licensed preaching. It was in prison that he wrote “The Pilgrims Progress” in which he gives the story of the salvation of a Christian. Bunyan was a deeply and sincerely religious minded man who loved the Bible in the most devoted manner. Emile Legoius says that Bunyan seemed to have lived with the Scriptures alone, indifferent to every production of the human mind, occupied only with the quest for means of salvation. The story of the salvation of a Christian in “The Pilgrims Progress” is set forth in the form of an allegory.

In the beginning, the dream of the author is described in which he sees Christian with a burden on his back reading in his book that the city in which he and his family are living (the city of destruction) will be shortly consumed by fire. Christian prepares to run away from the city to the celestial city-Heaven along with his wife and children. But they cannot be convinced by him and he takes to his journey alone. But his journey is not easy. His path is beset with numerous obstacles and temptations.

In part one, there is description of Christian’s journey through such places as the ‘slough of despond’, ‘the valley of shadow of death, the interpreter’s house, Vanity Fair. And soon in the course of his journey Christiane meets allegorical personages like Mr. Worldly Wiseman, faithful, giant despair, and so forth. The encounter with them signifies the difficulties lying in the way of salvation.

In part two there is a fine description of the journey of Christian’s wife Christiana and her children to the same destination. She has a vision and starts her journey in the company of her neighbour mercy, overruling the objections of people like Miss Timorous, Great Heart accompanies them as their guard and guide. He killed Giant Despair and other monsters and escorts the party safely to the Celestial City-heaven.

The simple story of “The Pilgrims Progress” is all imaginary but John Bunyan succeeds in enlivening the whole thing by his simplicity coupled with the strength of conviction. The style closely resembles in its strengths, simplicity and vividness to that of the Bible John Bunyan's “Pilgrim's Progress” has a lucidity and life likeness which even and Edmund Spenser could not attain. John Bunyan is not merely didactic but he shows a keen sense of landscape surroundings. In “The Pilgrims Progress” there are some instances of humour and social satire also.

 

Le Morte d'Arthur

King Arthur is known as one of the most popular legends of all time. There are a number of stories and pieces of literature written about King Arthur's reign. The most popular and historical story about King Arthur's death is a prose piece written by Thomas Malory an English writer entitled La Morte D'Arthur. This work was first published in 1485. Although King Arthur tried to maintain structure and order as a king betrayal by the people closest to him eventually led to his demise. Arthur was born to King Uther and a woman named Lgraine. His mother was married to another man. Arthur grew up with his foster father Sir Ector in secret. A magician named Merlin suggested it would be better if no one knew Arthur was the son of the King. Arthur served as Squire for his foster brother and eventually became King because he pulled a sword from a stone. While he was King Arthur was successful in defeating many enemies. King Arthur then decided to help others who needed assistance along with his knights of the round table. Merlin a wise magician helped Arthur in battles throughout Arthur's life. One of Arthur's best Knights Lancelot fell in love with King Arthur's wife Guinevere. Lancelot tried to resist his feelings for the Queen by going on several quests to find the Holy Grail. Lancelot was unable to resist his desire for Guinevere and continued his affair with her. This eventually led to the downfall of Arthur's Kingdom. King Arthur wanted to punish his wife and his knight for their affair and planned to burn his wife at the stake. Lancelot saved Guinevere from her death. One of Arthur's knights his son Mordred wanted to become King and encouraged King Arthur to battle Lancelot. Mordred convinced everyone that King Arthur died in battle and Mordred over took the throne. When King Arthur discovered his son's betrayal he went home to reclaim his throne. While in battle with his son Mordred King Arthur died and Mordred was also fatally wounded. After his death King Arthur's body was sent on a boat down the Isle of Avalon never to be seen again.

There are a number of Themes and Symbols in the legend of King Arthur. One theme of importance regarding the death of King Arthur is Trust. Trust is depicted in King Arthur's relationship and friendship with Lancelot his best knight and his marriage to Guinevere. Recall that Lancelot eventually betrayed King Arthur by having an affair with King Arthur's wife. Merlin is also shown as a trustworthy character because he established a trusted relationship with King Uther and King Arthur. Merlin kept Arthur's true lineage a secret and helped King Arthur throughout his life.

Betrayal is another theme represented in King Arthur's legend. Betrayal is brought forth by Lancelot's relationship with the Queen. The two people whom King Arthur trusted the most betrayed him with each other.

Deception is another theme from King Arthur's legend. King Arthur expected his wife and his best Knight to be loyal to him.

Love is also a theme in the legend of King Arthur. Love is shown in the relationship between King Arthur and Guinevere prior to her affair. And then again between Lancelot and Guinevere.

Now let's take a look at a few Symbols in this legend. King Arthur tried to maintain peace in England and among his knights as well.

The round table represents Arthur's view of fairness and equality. Arthur created the table to prevent conflict regarding ranks and feelings of importance between the Knights. The round table was a central part of King Arthur's ability to maintain stability in England and helped bring the knights together during difficult times.

The Holy Grail is an important symbol in the legend of King Arthur. Because the knights of the round table searched for the Holy Grail until they found it. The Holy Grail was used by Jesus at the Last Supper. Finding it represented achieving the highest form of purity. Sir Lancelot was not able to find the Holy Grail because his affair with Queen Guinevere was sinful and contradictory to the ideals of chivalry important during King Arthur's reign. Only three Knights Sir Bors, Sir Percival and Sir Galahad were pure enough to find the Holy Grail.

The legend of King Arthur is one of the most popular Work of medieval times.

Sir Thomas More's Utopia

 

Sir Thomas More's Utopia

 

Sir Thomas More's utopia is a major work in the history of English literature. It represents the flowering of the spirit of Renaissance in England. It was written by the great Christian humanists Sir Thomas More. Utopia was originally written in Latin and published in 1516. Erasmus supervised its printing of “utopia”. And later on it was translated into English by Ralph Robinson in 1551. The form of Thomas More's “Utopia” was influenced by the narrative of voyages as the record of the Explorer Amerigo Vespucci. It was printed in 1507. utopia is a Greek word meaning nowhere land. In this book Sir Thomas More gave the description of an imaginary kingdom of his ideals. In Utopia, Thomas More's purposes to paint a republic after his own ideals. By doing so, he wanted to expose the evils of the actual set up of his own country.

Utopia comprises two Books :-

In the first book we are told how the writer and his friend Peter Giles happened to meet a Portuguese traveller named Raphael Hythloday. Thomas More and Peter Giles accompanied him to the garden. Hythloday tells them about a country called utopia which he had happened to visit, while he was on his way back home from travel.

The description of the land covers the second part of the work. In Utopia, there is no private wealth or money. Thomas More describes the society which is very much like Marxist. In Utopia, there is no unemployment, neither poverty nor excess of wealth.

There are no wars of aggression and the utopians have no lawyers as they have no laws. The only law is conformity to love. There is great religious tolerance and only those are held guilty who deny the existence of God. the utopians glorify physical culture. According to utopians. Perfect health is the greatest of all bodily pleasure. There is no drinking, gambling, hunting and thieving. Thus, the utopians are highly moral people.

Sir Thomas More has narrated the ideal state existing in his imagination. Utopia is not merely a piece of More's idealizing imagination but a criticism of life. It represents the socialistic pattern of society and has aptly been called the first monument of modern socialism. More derives many of his ideas from Plato's Republic. Compton and Rickett commented, “Whereas Plato's Republic is an aristocratic communism Sir Thomas More's is on a democratic basis”. Utopia is a People's State with an effective government even though state controls.

The book embodies the spirit of Renaissance. Sir Thomas More criticizes fanaticism, scholasticism, the other worldliness, and the ideal of chivalry.

The word utopia was coined by Sir Thomas More it was adopted by many writers like Francis Bacon in his “New Atlantis”, William Morris “News from Nowhere” and Edward Bellamy's “Looking Backward” Jonathan Swift's “Gulliver's travel” and Samuel Butler's “Erawhon” can be called as satirical utopias.

Protagonist and Antagonist:-

The protagonist is frequently known as the hero of the story while the antagonist is the villain. The protagonist and the antagonist tend to be in conflict with one another. The protagonist is essential character in a story. This character is often referred to as the hero of the story. In many cases the story is told from this character's point of view so that the reader knows how the protagonist thinks and feels.

The antagonist is the opposing force or character who leaves the conflict against the protagonist. The antagonist works to offset whatever the protagonist does, that is good. Often the antagonist attempts to disguise himself or herself which usually builds suspense in a story. The antagonist does not have to be human. Instead it can be a force of nature such as a hurricane or tornado or even a complex problem or idea such as poverty or oppression.

The protagonist and antagonist are often complete opposite of one another. However, they can both be complex characters.

There are many classic examples of heroes and villains that fill these roles in fairy tales.

For example,

In Cinderella the Evil stepmother and stepsisters are very cruel to Cinderella. Cinderella is the protagonist while the stepmother and stepsisters are antagonists.

In Hansel and Gretel: There is a witch who resides in a home, made of gingerbread and candy. She uses the sweets to lure Hansel and Gretel into her home so that she can eat the children. Hansel and Gretel are the Protagonist and the witch is the Antagonist.

In The Wizard of Oz: The Wicked Witch of the West is constantly causing conflict for the main character Dorothy. Dorothy is the Protagonist of the tale and the witch is the Antagonist.

In Jack and the Beanstalk: A young boy named Jack climbs a magic Beanstalk into the sky and meets an angry giant. Jack is the Protagonist while the Giant is the Antagonist.

Take a moment to read this section from a story and try to identify a protagonist and an antagonist keep in mind the traits of each character: Molly has been up all night practicing words for the spelling bee. She was still so nervous even though she knew she was well prepared. When she bumped into Lindsay, however, she felt her stomach sink. “Oh, look,” Lindsay said, “there goes the worst speller in the whole school.” Lindsay pushed past Molly and continued down the hall. “See you after school, loser,” Lindsay said. Molly frowned but went right back to practicing.

Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist in this paragraph?

Molly is the protagonist this section features her point of view as the reader here's. How she was up late and that she was nervous. it is also clear that she is the focus of the passage. The antagonist therefore is Lindsay. She is the opposing force to Molly and is clearly working to offset her. just seeing Lindsay makes Molly stomach sink. It is also clear that Lindsay is Molly's rival as both are competing in the spelling bee.

In review we trying to identify the Protagonist and Antagonist in a story. Think about which character is central to the plot. who is the central character in the Story this is the Protagonist. The character or force that is acting against the central character is the antagonist. The antagonist is the opposing force or character who leads the conflict against the protagonist. In most cases the good character is the protagonist and the bad character is the antagonist.

Allegory

What is an Allegory?

It's a literary term an allegory is actually the use of characters, events or ideas in a novel or literary text that are used to illustrate or show a larger concept something that's not directly said but it's implied rather now this larger concept that I just mentioned can relate to a number of different things for instance. These larger concepts can pertain to something political or it could be something religious, it could be historical or social. Either way whatever the larger concept is directly pertaining to the whole point of the allegory is that the author is using the text to provide his or her own commentary on the subject matter in other words. The author is investing and putting their own opinion into the literary text. Now in order to identify this you have to realize that the allegory is almost like a hidden message. It's the author's own hidden message that they want to get across in the novel. 

And as you read the book or whatever you're reading you'll eventually start to recognize subtle hints that will lead toward allegory or the true message that the author is trying to get across.  So once you reach the end you should have a better understanding of the allegory.