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Bacon’s Prose Style as We Find in His Essays

Francis Bacon, (1561-1626) is the most influential and resourceful English writer of his time. He very expertly uses different types of literary devices like paradox, aphorism, climax in his essays. He usually uses the condensed sentences with deep hidden explanations. We also find a touch of reality and practicality in his writings. Now we are going to discuss his views. Bacon very skilfully exploits the literary device ‘paradox’ in the essay “ Of Truth” . Truth, according to Bacon, lacks the charm of variety which, falsehood has. Truth gives more pleasure only when a lie is added to it.  He believes that, falsehood is a source of temporary enjoyment as it gives the people a strange kind of pleasure. So the essayist paradoxically says: “ …a mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure” We find another paradoxical maxim in the same essay .  To Bacon, a liar is brave towards god but cowardly towards men. A liar does not have courage to tell the truth to the people but he sho

Bacon’s Philosophy of Life as Revealed in His Essays

Francis Bacon, (1561-1626) the most influential and resourceful English writer, is a practically wise man. His essays are store-house of wordy wisdom and practicality. We find a touch of reality and practicality in his views towards truth studies, love, friendship etc. Now we are going to discuss his views. Bacon is very much frank in expressing his view towards truth in the essay “ Of Truth” . Truth, according to Bacon, lacks the charm of variety which, falsehood has. Truth gives more pleasure only when a lie is added to it.  He believes that, falsehood is a source of temporary enjoyment as it gives the people a strange kind of pleasure. So the essayist says: “ …a mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure” To Bacon, a liar is brave towards god but cowards towards men. A liar does not have courage to tell the truth to the people but he shows courage to tell a lie disobeying god. As the essayist comments:  “For a lie faces God, and shrinks from man.” This is indeed a parad

Swift's Criticism of Society in “A Modest Proposal”

  Anglo-Irish writer Jonathan Swift's “A Modest Proposal” (anonymously published in 1729) is a powerful political satire about the economic and social conditions of the poor in Ireland under British rule. The essay is rich with references to political events in England and Ireland in the 18th century. Swift takes ‘irony’ as the best weapon to attack on all kinds of vice and injustice prevailing in the society.   Now we will see how Swift criticizes the society in his essay. Before entering into our discussion, we are to know something about the miserable condition of that Ireland. Actually the misfortune of Ireland begins when, in 1541, the Irish recognizes England’s Henry viii, a Protestant, as king of Ireland. The protestant landlords acquire almost ten percent of estates. Meanwhile, a law is enacted limiting the rights of Irish to hold government office, to purchase real estate and to get education. Consequently, many of Irish flee away and those who remain; live in povert