(1)Milton, Satan speaking(2) Paradise Lost, Book 1 when Satan is in hell after getting kicked out of heaven(3) Relevant in looking at character. Satan tries to be in control of every situation. In this passage, he is basically idolizing himself and saying that he can make Hell a good place. Also looks at himself as better than God. This passage itself shows us how Satan is throughout the text.
Farewell, happy fields, Where joy forever dwells! Hail horrors! Hail, Infernal world! And thou, profoundest Hell Receive thy new possessor—one who brings A mind not to be changed by place or time. The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n. What matter where, if I be still the same, And what I should be, all but less than He Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built Here for his envy, will not drive us hence: Here we may reign secure; and, in my choice, To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell: Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n.
(1) Swift, Strephon is in the dressing room(2)"The Lady's Dressing Room" when Swift is ending the poem stating that men should not snoop where they do not belong(3)Relevant in looking at how women were viewed by society at the time. Strephon viewed women as objects, and that is why he went in to the dressing room. Now, though, he looks at them personally because they have been "unmasked" since he saw everything in the dressing room. Women are no longer objectified; they are now being viewed as people.
But Vengeance, goddess never sleeping, Soon punished Strephon for his peeping. His foul imagination links Each dame he sees with all her stinks, And, if unsavory odors fly, Conceives a lady standing by. All women his description fits, And both ideas jump like wits,By vicious fancy coupled fast, And still appearing in contrast.
(1)Swift(2)"A Modest Proposal" where Swift lists ways to improve Ireland's situation(3)Relevant in looking at the real message of the satire. Swift wants people to find solutions to the problems, and he suggests these ideas ignorer to get people to start thinking about what to do.
I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth.
(1)Goldsmith(2)"The Deserted Village" when he finishes describing how great Auburn used to be and begins to describe how Auburn is today(3) Relevant to the work because there has been so much change throughout his life in Auburn. Money and greed have made the village become enclosed and abandoned. Now, the people of Auburn are moving to America. This is happening here, too.
Thy glades forlorn confess the tyrant's power. Here as I take my solitary rounds, Amidst thy tangling walks, and ruined grounds, And, many a year elapsed, return to view Where once the cottage stood, the hawthorn grew, Remembrance wakes with all her busy train, Swells at my breast, and turns the past to pain. In all my wanderings round this world of care, In all my griefs—and God has given my share— I still had hopes, my latest hours to crown, Amidst these humble bowers to lay me down; To husband out life's taper at the close, And keep the flame from wasting by repose.
(1)Pope(2)"The Rape of the Lock" beginning; there is an invocation to muses so he can tell his story(3) This is relevant to the genre of being a mock epic. He begins with the classic conventions of an epic, like the invocation of the muse. However, in the text, the problem posed with the hair is very trivial and petty. It is not heroic like an epic.
What dire offence from am'rous causes springs,What mighty contests rise from trivial things,I sing—This verse to Caryll, Muse! is due; This, ev'n Belinda may vouchsafe to view:Slight is the subject, but not so the praise,If she inspire, and he approve my lays.Say what strange motive, Goddess! could compelA well-bred lord t'assault a gentle belle?Oh say what stranger cause, yet unexplored,Could make a gentle belle reject a lord?In tasks so bold can little men engage,And in soft bosoms dwells such mighty rage?
(1)Shakespeare; Orlando speaking(2)As You Like It, Act III; Orlando is hanging love poems on trees in the forest for everyone to see how great Rosalind is (like he does).(3) Relevant to the theme of foolishness in As You Like it because Orlando is going above and beyond for Rosalind. The poem is a little too much. AND he wants to post a poem on every tree in the forest... But basically his love for her has driven him to be a foolish man.
Hang there, my verse, in witness of my love; And thou, thrice-crownèd queen of night, survey With thy chaste eye, from thy pale sphere above, Thy huntress' name that my full life doth sway. O Rosalind! these trees shall be my books, And in their barks my thoughts I'll character, That every eye which in this forest looks Shall see thy virtue witnessed everywhere. Run, run, Orlando, carve on every tree The fair, the chaste, and unexpressive she.
(1)Aphra Behn(2)Oroonoko; Behn is desiring the process of trading slaves first. Here, she is describing Coramantien. Preceding the introduction of the hero.(3) This passage is relevant in relating the work to an abolitionist standpoint. She is describing how Coramantien is involved in the slave trade. Slave trade was built off of profit and power. Many issues related to profit/power, such as wars. That could also be why King of Coramantien did not have any living sons.
The King of Coramantien was himself a man of a hundred and odd years old, and had no son.... In his younger hears he had had many gallant men to his sons, thirteen of which died in battle, conquering when they fell; and he had only left him for his successor, one grandchild, son to one of these dead victors; who, as soon as he could bear a bow in his hand, and a quiver at his back, was sent into the field, to be gread up by one of the oldest generals, to war....
(1)Cavendish(2)"The Poetess' Hasty Resolution" when she is writing of having doubts about her work. She does not feel that she will be remembered for what she is doing.(3) Relevant to the work and future female writers because Cavendish is very gender-conscious. She expresses that she wants to be famous, but Reason, a male, asks her is all of her work will be in vain. Her work was not in vain, though, because she opened up doors for herself and many other female writers.
Reading my verses, I like't them so well,Self-love did make my judgment to rebel.Thinking them so good, I thought more to write;Considering not how others would them like.I writ so fast, I thought, if I lived long,A pyramid of fame to build thereon.Reason, observing which way I was bent,Did stay my hand, and ask't me what I meant;"Will you," said she, "thus waste your time in vain,On that which in the world small praise shall gain?
(1)Wycherley; Horner speaking(2)The Country Wife Act I; Horner describing to the Quack why he wants him to spread the rumor about him being impotent.(3)Relevant because Horner describes how women think. They do not want to be faithful to their husbands; instead, they just want to avoid scandal. The language and things that Horner says in this monologue also help to build upon the genre of Restoration Comedy.
Ask but all the young fellows of the Town if they do not lose more time, like huntsmen, in starting the game than in running it down; one knows not where to find 'em, who will or will not. Women of quality are so civil, you can hardly distinguish love from good breeding, and a man is often mistaken. But now I can be sure, she that shows an aversion to me loves the sport, as those women that are gone, whom I warrant to be right. And then the next thing is, your women of honor, as you call 'em, are only chary of their reputations, not their persons, and 'tis scandal they would avoid, not men.
(1)Equiano(2)Interesting Narrative opening; Equiano is explaining that some memoir do not get the recognition they need(3)Relevant to the work because Equiano writes to tell us that this is a memoir. Memoirs are remembered for being exciting and interesting. Equiano writes a memoir about his life as a slave and all of the significant and hard events that he had to experience.
I believe it is difficult for those who publish their own memoirs to escape the imputation of vanity; nor is this the only disadvantage under which they labour: it is also their misfortune that what is uncommon is rarely, if ever believed, and what is obvious we are apt to turn from with disgust, and to charge the writer with impertinence. People generally think those memoirs only worth to be read or remembered which about in great or striking events, those, in short, which in a high degree excite either admiration or pity: all others they consign to contempt and oblivion.