AltBritLit by ER

“My Cat Jeoffry” was a poem written by Christopher Smart that illustrated the religious zeal that Smart possessed that ultimately showed how excessive he was with his religious beliefs. Because of how absorbed Smart was with his religion, he would pray anywhere and everywhere which became a public nuisance and caused him to be sent to various madhouses. This poem is one that Smart wrote while in confinement and it does much more than just tell a story of what Smart believed to be the actions of a very religious cat he owned. Instead, this poem uses the cat as a tool to simplify religion and show that it is not so difficult to be a Christian. To begin with, Smart opens the poem with saying how the cat appreciates God’s creation every day by looking at the sun in the mornings, “For at the first glance of the glory of God in the East he worships in his way.” (1404). Here, Smart is referencing the sunrise and how his cat, Jeoffry, is always near a window or maybe even a door to appreciate...

Mary Wortley Montagu was a woman who went against gender standards in her time in the eighteenth century. Montagu was one who was passionate about education, medicine, and representing women in a non-stereotypical manner. In addition, she was a woman who travelled all over the world and learned about different countries and their cultures compared to that of England. In one such excerpts from letters she had written about the Turkish Embassy, Montagu illustrates the social differences between women in two vastly opposing cultures. One particular place that Montagu visited while in Turkey was a beautiful town called Sophia. She speaks of the many hot springs and baths that she visits in this town and how remarkable they are, but what was most remarkable was how these native women treated Montagu when she came to enjoy the springs one day. She talked about how they welcomed her without hesitation, “Yet there was not one of them that showed the least surprise or impertinent curiosity, bu...

The story of Oroonoko by Aphra Behn is in itself a type of ironic, but overall, tragic story by the usage of the oxymoron “royal slave” in the title of this work. At the beginning of the story, it is made quite clear that Oroonoko is of royal standing in his country in that he is a Prince because his father and uncles all perished over the years and his grandfather is the King, “In his younger years 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…” (1013). However, his status does come with some restraints that are difficult for him to maneuver which begins to imply this whole idea of a “royal slave”. Oroonoko falls deeply in love with one of the many mistresses of the King, Imoinda, which is something that is seen as a crime to the royal hierarchy they have in their culture. This entire issue begins to illustrate the type of constraints that Oroonoko has that seems to para...

The story of Oroonoko by Aphra Behn appears to be about an African Prince and his love to a beautiful woman but this slowly transitions to a tale of despair and struggle of these two due to the cruel reality of the slave trade during this time. The story begins with the Prince, Oroonoko, who falls for one of the King’s mistresses, Imoinda, but their love is stopped by the King because it is a great crime to be with a mistress of the king. Through the help of other workers of the King, Oroonoko sneaks in to see Imoinda in which he tells someone at the door that this is their time together, “Therefore stand back, and know, this place is sacred to love and me this night; tomorrow tis’ the King’s” (1023). The two end up being caught by one of the King’s loyal followers due Oroonoko’s statement. Because of this incident, Oroonoko tells Imoinda to inform the King she was assaulted by Oroonoko so that she would not be as harshly punished for their actions. The King ultimately decides to sen...

A World of Four Atoms by Margaret Cavendish expresses the importance of understanding atoms because of the many great things that come from the tiny building blocks of life. She speaks of how four major components of nature and science help to combine and make the world around us in a way that many people do not often sit and think about, “Atomes Fire subtle, quicke, and dry, The Long, like Shafts still into Aire fly. The Round to Water moist, (a hollow Forme,) The Figure square to heavy dull Earth turne.”. From this passage, Cavendish speaks of four main elements that atoms contribute to making. She puts emphasis more so on nature than actual chemically made items from atoms which is an interesting scientific perspective that looks at beauty in nature in a new way. Then, Cavendish speaks of the various shapes that atoms can help create for the various structures in nature, “Thus the Fancy of my Atomes is, that the foure Principall Figures, as Sharpe, Long, Round, Square, make the fou...

The Canonization by John Donne involves someone who is talking about their love and that it should not be ridiculed because it is a special type of love which is later explained to be a sexual love. He begins the poem by trying to make everyone like him by talking about his wealth and social status, “Observe His Honor or His Grace, Or the king’s real, or his stamped face Contemplate; what you will, approve, So you will let me love.” (673). Donne is talking about how he has some wealth by referencing the type of currency used in his time which had the current King’s face on it. Then, he moves on to make fun of love and how it is too over the top in the ways lovers mourn or grieve when they are apart, “What merchant’s ships have my sighs drowned? Who says my tears have overflowed his ground?” (674). The lovers relationship is explained in that it is very powerful and they are drawn to each other in many ways which can even be sexual, “Call her one, me another fly, We’re tapers too, and ...

The poem, A Married State, by Katherine Phillips exemplifies the struggles that women face with getting married and encountering the difficulties of life as a married woman. She speaks of how women are miserable with married life and that they must listen to their husbands in submissive entirety, “A married state affords but little ease The best of husbands are so hard to please.” (746). Women will be subject to constant attempts at pleasing their husbands to little success. Virginity is mentioned in this work as a woman’s saving grace from marriage because the pains of childbirth are avoided and women are free from any responsibilities, “A virgin state is crowned with much content; It’s always happy as it’s innocent. No blustering husbands to create your fears; No pangs of childbirth to extort your tears…” (746). During Philips’ time, in the 1600s, most of women’s poetry celebrated a single life for a woman which is why this is the central theme of the poem to illustrate that women s...

In Book IX of Paradise Lost by Milton, the reader finally gets to understand how mankind fell by Milton’s interpretation of the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve are happy in the garden and go about their daily chores where Eve decides that she wants to work separately from Adam to show independence. However, this concerns Adam even though he ultimately agrees to work separately from her. Satan sneaks his way into the garden and looks at all the different animals and decides to disguise himself as a snake. While Eve is working alone, Satan, disguised as a snake, goes up to Eve and speaks to her. He tells her that he ate fruit from a certain tree and that it gave him the ability to talk and become knowledgeable. Satan continually showers Eve with compliments and the temptation for knowledge in order to persuades her to eat the fruit. Then, he takes her to the Tree of Knowledge and tells her to eat from it, “his words replete with guile Into her heart too easy entranc...

In the first book of Milton’s paradise lost, he sets up the story by beginning with the overarching situation of man’s fall due to the serpent and how Satan and his follows all went to hell ready to revolt again. The beginning discusses how Satan caused the fall, “The’ infernal serpent; he it was, whose guile Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived The mother of mankind…” (802). Here, Milton is discussing the events of the fall but does so in such a way that he is not blaming Eve but is rather stating that it is all Satan’s doing. This is a fascinating take on the Fall because it was commonly believed that Eve was to blame for the happenings in Eden. Milton then goes into focus on a conversation between Satan and one of his many lieutenants about how they plan to fight back against God and heaven. Satan speaks of his plans for continuing to be evil, “Fall’n Cherub, to be weak is miserable Doing or suffering: but of this be sure, To do aught good never be our task…” (805). Milton us...

Oliver Cromwell became the most powerful commoner in all of British history which all started with him making a revolution. Many people believed Cromwell was mentally ill and he likely had depression; he was the poorest in his family and he was the only man in his family because his father died when he was 18. Cromwell had to take care of his six sisters, his wife, and his mother. He believed he was damned to hell and that God was trying to humble him. However, he then began to believe that God had saved him because a local minister made Cromwell feel special because he said Cromwell was saved by the Lord. Cromwell becomes drawn in to puritanism in which he found the security that he so desperately needed in his life. Charles I was the king during this time and ruled the church of England against puritans. Cromwell wanted the king to have less power so when Irish Catholics rebelled and attacked puritans he decided to step in and fight back. The British Parliament, persuaded by Cromwe...

Mary Wroth was a well-versed female author during the Jacobean era in which her many writings reflected the poor treatment of women and children during that time. The many themes within her works are often dark and mention situations that involve imprisonment or lack of freedom. One particular work that illustrates those concepts is Wroth’s Sonnet 16. This sonnet seems to particularly focus on a relationship between a man and his wife and the abusiveness of that relationship. In the beginning of the sonnet, Wroth speaks of women as prisoners to their husbands, “Must I be still while it my strength devours, And captive leads me prisoner, bound, unfree? Love first shall leave men’s fancies to them free.” (722). From this passage, Wroth is using the relationship of a captor and prisoner to describe a marriage during her time. Wroth herself was in a forced marriage and this is shown by the usage of metaphors in Sonnet 16. Another portion of the sonnet that emphasizes the abuse between man...

In Donne’s poem Good Friday, 1613. Riding Westward, he discusses the sufferings of Christ when he was being crucified. Donne begins the poem by emphasizing the importance of men being able to grow spiritually through understanding their religion, “Let man’s soul be a sphere, and, then, in this, The intelligence that moves, devotion is…” (693). This passage starts off the poem to tell readers that it is up to man himself to live his life religiously if he so chooses to do. The individual must make a conscious effort for change. As the poem continues, Donne discusses his deep faith and devotion to God. He says that he would hate to even had witnessed what happened when Christ was crucified, “But that Christ on this cross did rise and fall, Sin had eternally benighted all. Yet dare I almost be glad I do not see That spectacle, of too much weight for me.” (694). Donne uses a very vital moment in Christianity to illustrate his love for God and his faith. Not only is Donne making a point ab...

The King James Bible documentary discusses the importance and continued relevance of the King James Bible. King James was not only a king of England but was also king of the church of England. Many people were against the church of England because they felt it was unlawful and anti-christian. There were those who went against King James and started their own religious group, the puritans, and those who stayed in the church of England. James knew he had to do something to unite these two opposing sides of religion so he decided to meet with both sides. He heard arguments and talks and realized that he would never win everyone back over to his side. Therefore, he came to the conclusion that he would need a compromise. It was brought to James’ attention that there were plans for a new revision of the Bible because past successors had been corrupt and not gotten the translation exactly correct. Most Bibles that had revisions done by monarchs had poor translations or focused so much on the...

The last two acts of Othello build upon the lies told from Iago about an “affair” between Desdemona and Cassio. Iago continues to create a dramatic love story between Desdemona and Cassio which causes Othello to slowly go crazy, “Lie with her? Lie on her? We say lie on her when they belie her.” (608). From that passage, Othello is trying to understand if these are all lies about Desdemona or if she really is disloyal because he has come to be so conflicted about the matter. Clearly, Iago has started to diminish the trust Othello once had with Desdemona. Othello then encounters Cassio and is convinced of his mischievous doings so Othello seeks to murder Cassio, “How shall I murder him, Iago?” (611). Moments later, Othello talks about wanting to kill Cassio because he has stolen the sweetness of his love, “I would have him nine years a-killing!- A fine woman, a fair woman, a sweet woman!” (612). Othello is most evidently dismayed by the constant manipulation from Iago and has now come ...

In the first three acts of Othello by William Shakespeare, there are moments of jealousy and revenge that occur with the protagonist, Othello. The reader learns in Act I that Othello is a military man who secretly married a woman known as Desdemona. Desdemona’s father as well as Othello’s colleagues were all unaware of this marriage until it is brought to light by Othello, “... I love the gentle Desdemona, I would not my unhoused free condition put into circumscription and confine for the sea’s worth.” (561). Othello brings to light that he is indeed married to Desdemona, then, it is revealed that one of Othello’s fellow military comrade, Cassio, wants Desdemona all for himself. Cassio thinks of Othello as a fool and he wants to get even with him for marrying Desdemona, “And I dare think he’ll prove to Desdemona a most dear husband. Now I do love her too, not out of absolute lust… But partly led to diet my revenge…” (580). It is evident that Cassio wants to take Desdemona away from O...

Shakespeare’s Sonnets is a poem that takes a unique perspective at the beauty in a man. It focuses on this attractive man who is way above normal beauty standards. This poem gives no indication of a time period or location, which is often a characteristic of Shakespearean work. As Shakespeare is talking about this beautiful man, he often brings up the theme that beauty is fleeting because it cannot escape time, “Sets you most rich in youth before my sight, Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay To change your day of youth to sullied night.” (541). Here it is evident that Shakespeare is warning someone to cherish their youth because time will soon take its toll on their beauty. However, Shakespeare tries to keep this beauty eternal through his writing, “Yet do thy worst, old Time; despite thy wrong, My love shall in my verse ever live young.” (542). He is trying to show that he can beat time and make beauty eternal. The poem goes on and Shakespeare continues his talk of beauty and d...

“The General Prologue” by Geoffrey Chaucer is an Anglo-Norman literary work that has aspects in the work that would deem it a type of satire. This work is about a group of people who are on a pilgrimage and, with each individual, Chaucer points out that person’s flaws or sins in some way. Early on in this work, Chaucer speaks of a knight from the Crusades who embodies chivalry and bravery. Chaucer specifically discusses the knight’s attire and appearance, “But for to tellen you of his array, His hors were goode, but he was nat gay.” (195). This passage is telling that this supposedly amazing and chivalrous knight is dressed rather poorly and not with much color or ornaments; the knight did not truly showcase what he should look like. Another individual Chaucer brings up is a Prioresse, which is similar to a nun, who he mocks for her almost inability to be able to be brave. Although Chaucer does appreciate her beauty, which is odd because she is a religious woman, he makes these remark...

The poem “Lanval” is a piece of romance literature that tells the story of a young knight, named Lanval, who was a beautiful man that many, even King Arthur, did not favor. Lanval ends up leaving the kingdom due to the many people who dislike him because they are jealous of him. Because Lanval leaves his home, he ends up encountering the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, “... the lily and the young rose when they appear in the summer are surpassed by her beauty.” (123). Lanval ends up falling madly in love with this woman but this love comes with a price - he is not allowed to speak of her to anyone because their love must be kept a secret. She wants their love to be kept as a secret because otherwise she says she would have to leave Lanval, “... you would lose me for good if this love were known; you would never see me again or possess my body.” (124). Many romance literary works involve many situations where the protagonist goes off away from his home and experiences someth...

Irish Literature came around during the Anglo-Saxon literature period and includes some aspects of that type of literature but does not seem to have as much despair and death that is found in more traditional Anglo-Saxon works. In the literary work, “Cuchulainn’s Boyhood Deeds”, this piece of Irish literature tells of several warrior-like actions that are performed by a young man named Cuchulainn. Themes of battle and masculinity are explored in this work as we see this young man embark on a coming of age journey. Cuchulainn and his charioteer travel far from their home over vass mountains where they encounter a man who appears to be a mighty warrior. The charioteer warns Cuchulainn that this man is dangerous and must be killed skillfully; Cuchulainn immediately goes to kill the warrior, “He flung the spear at him, and it pierced him and broke his back. He removed the trophies, and the head with them.” (115). This success of killing a great warrior shows the reader that Cuchulainn ha...

“The Seafarer” is a poem from the Anglo-Saxon literature period that takes a deep look into the pains of a man who is forced to deal with the cold and misery that comes along with sea travel. During this literature period, there are many themes of fatality and death that are explored throughout written works. In general, this was a dark time for people because the reality of death loomed all around them from situations like war to more day-to-day events like childbirth. There are noticeable moments in this work that indicate it is a kind of lamentation of this man who has been exiled to the sea, “... how I, wretchedly sorrowful, lived a winter on the ice-cold sea, upon the tracks of exile, deprived of friendly kinsmen, hung with rimy icicles.” (“Anglo-Saxon…). The time of Anglo-Saxon literature was a period that involved much conflict among families and tribes so exile was almost considered a common punishment put upon men and women for various reasons. This man begins to contemplate ...