Enam's Note

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 b...

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 indee...