BA 3rd semester optional English notes

longer summary of "School for Scandal" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan:

"School for Scandal" is a classic comedy of manners that was first performed in 1777. Set in high society London, the play is known for its witty dialogue, sharp social commentary, and complex plot involving scandalous secrets, mistaken identities, and romantic entanglements.

The play opens with Lady Sneerwell, a wealthy widow, who delights in spreading malicious gossip and scheming against others. She is supported by Mrs. Candour, a hypocrite who pretends to be virtuous but is actually just as duplicitous as Lady Sneerwell. Lady Sneerwell is Infatuated with Charles Surface, a young man known for his extravagant lifestyle and debts, and she seeks to ruin the reputation of his rival, Joseph Surface, who is perceived as virtuous and honorable.

However, Sir Oliver Surface, a wealthy uncle of Charles and Joseph, returns from abroad and decides to test the character of his nephews. He disguises himself as a moneylender and visits Lady Sneerwell's home, where he witnesses the scheming and deceitful behavior of Lady Sneerwell and her associates.

Meanwhile, Sir Peter Teazle, a friend of Sir Oliver, is a middle-aged bachelor who is struggling to manage his young and flirtatious wife, Lady Teazle. Lady Teazle is drawn to the glamour of high society and is influenced by Lady Sneerwell and her gossip, causing strain in her marriage with Sir Peter.

As the plot unfolds, we learn that Joseph Surface, the seemingly virtuous nephew, is actually scheming and deceitful. He is courting Maria, Sir Peter's ward, while also trying to woo Lady Teazle behind his brother Charles' back. Charles, on the other hand, is revealed to be a kind-hearted and generous young man, contrary to his reputation for recklessness and debts.

The play is filled with mistaken identities, disguises, and witty banter, as various characters try to further their schemes and unravel the scandals. Lady Sneerwell's plans backfire, and Sir Oliver Surface, in his disguise as a moneylender, offers a bribe to Joseph, which he accepts, revealing his true character.

Charles, in an attempt to help his brother, tries to steal the bribe from Joseph's room but is caught and accused of theft. However, Charles is eventually cleared of the accusation, and Joseph's deceit is exposed, leading to his disgrace.

Amidst the chaos, Lady Teazle, having witnessed Joseph's true nature, realizes her mistake in being drawn into high society and resolves to change her ways. Sir Peter and Lady Teazle reconcile, and Charles is forgiven by Sir Oliver. Maria and Charles are united, while Joseph's reputation is ruined.

The play ends with moral lessons about the consequences of gossip, deceit, and hypocrisy, as well as the importance of true character and virtue. It showcases the foibles and follies of high society in the 18th century, with witty dialogue, clever plot twists, and memorable characters that make "School for Scandal" a timeless and entertaining comedic masterpiece.

In conclusion, "School for Scandal" is a comedic play that satirizes the gossip, hypocrisy, and deceit of high society in 18th-century England. The complex plot, filled with mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and witty dialogue, exposes the flaws and follies of its characters while delivering moral lessons about the consequences of deceit and the importance of true virtue.

 "Sonnet 18," also known as "Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day," is one of the most famous sonnets written by William Shakespeare. It is a sonnet that falls under the category of a Shakespearean, or English, sonnet, which is composed of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet (two lines), with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG.

The poem begins with the speaker posing a rhetorical question: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, where the speaker contemplates the beauty and eternal nature of the person being addressed, who is commonly believed to be the object of the speaker's affection.

The speaker then goes on to explain why comparing the person to a summer's day would not be appropriate. The speaker notes that summer has its flaws, such as being too short and fleeting, with its beauty fading too quickly. The speaker emphasizes this by saying, "Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,/ And summer's lease hath all too short a date" (lines 3-4). In contrast, the person being addressed is described as more beautiful and more constant than a summer's day.

The speaker continues to extol the virtues of the person being addressed, stating that their beauty will not fade with time, nor will it be diminished by death. The speaker uses vivid imagery and poetic language to convey the timeless beauty of the person, saying, "But thy eternal summer shall not fade, / Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st,/ Nor shall death brag thou wand'rest in his shade" (lines 9-11). The person's beauty is portrayed as transcending the passage of time and even conquering death itself.

The poem concludes with the speaker declaring that as long as humans continue to breathe and read poetry, the person being addressed will live on in the lines of the poem, and their beauty will be preserved for eternity. The speaker says, "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, / So long lives this, and this gives life to thee" (lines 13-14), implying that through the enduring power of poetry, the person's beauty will be immortalized and never forgotten.

"Sonnet 18" is often interpreted as a celebration of the beauty and immortality of love, and it has been widely praised for its eloquence, imagery, and sentiment. It is one of Shakespeare's most well-known and beloved sonnets, and its enduring popularity continues to captivate readers and inspire lovers and poets alike.

a brief overview of each of the authors:

1. Geoffrey Chaucer - Known as the "father of English literature," Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343-1400) was an English poet and author. He is best known for his collection of stories "The Canterbury Tales," which is considered a masterpiece of Middle English literature. Chaucer's works are known for their vivid characters, witty dialogue, and social commentary.

2. Francis Bacon - Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was an English philosopher, statesman, and author. He is known for his contributions to philosophy, science, and politics. Bacon's works, including "Essays" and "Novum Organum," explore topics such as human nature, knowledge, and the scientific method.

3. Ben Jonson - Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was an English playwright, poet, and literary critic. He is known for his satirical comedies and masques, such as "Volpone" and "The Alchemist," which are considered classics of English Renaissance drama. Jonson was also known for his literary criticism and his influential role in the literary circles of his time.

4. John Milton - John Milton (1608-1674) was an English poet and polemicist. He is best known for his epic poem "Paradise Lost," which explores themes of disobedience, redemption, and the nature of evil. Milton's works are known for their profound philosophical and theological insights, as well as their poetic grandeur.

5. John Dryden - John Dryden (1631-1700) was an English poet, playwright, and literary critic. He is known for his satirical poems, such as "Absalom and Achitophel," and his plays, including "All for Love" and "The Spanish Friar." Dryden was also a prominent literary critic, and his works had a significant influence on English literature of his time.

6. Alexander Pope - Alexander Pope (1688-1744) was an English poet and satirist. He is known for his witty and satirical poems, such as "The Rape of the Lock" and "An Essay on Criticism." Pope's works are known for their keen observations on human nature, society, and morality, and his poetic skill and craftsmanship.

7. Dr. Samuel Johnson - Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an English poet, essayist, and lexicographer. He is best known for his comprehensive dictionary of the English language, which took him several years to complete. Johnson's works, including his essays, poems, and literary criticisms, are known for their intelligence, wit, and moral depth.

8. William Shakespeare - William Shakespeare (1564-1616) needs no introduction. He is one of the most famous and influential playwrights and poets in world literature. Shakespeare's works, including plays such as "Romeo and Juliet," "Macbeth," and "Hamlet," are known for their timeless themes, vivid characters, and poetic language.

9. Oliver Goldsmith - Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774) was an Irish playwright, poet, and novelist. He is known for his witty comedies, such as "She Stoops to Conquer," and his novel "The Vicar of Wakefield." Goldsmith's works are known for their humor, social commentary, and realistic portrayal of human nature.

10. John Bunyan - John Bunyan (1628-1688) was an English writer and preacher. He is best known for his allegorical novel "The Pilgrim's Progress," which has been widely regarded as one of the most important works of Christian literature. Bunyan's works are

11. Aphra Behn - Aphra Behn (1640-1689) was an English playwright, poet, and novelist. She is considered one of the first professional female writers in English literature. Behn's works, such as "The Rover" and "Oroonoko," are known for their exploration of gender roles, race, and social issues.

12. Margaret Cavendish - Margaret Cavendish (1623-1673) was an English poet, philosopher, and writer. She is known for her prolific output of poetry, prose, and plays, including works such as "The Blazing World" and "Poems and Fancies." Cavendish's works often explored themes of science, nature, and gender, and she is considered one of the earliest feminist writers.

13. Elizabeth Cary - Elizabeth Cary (1585-1639) was an English playwright, poet, and translator. She is known for her tragicomedies, such as "The Tragedy of Mariam, the Fair Queen of Jewry," which is considered one of the first original plays in English written by a woman. Cary's works often dealt with themes of politics, religion, and gender roles.

14. Anne Finch - Anne Finch (1661-1720) was an English poet and countess. She is known for her lyrical and reflective poetry, which often explored personal experiences, nature, and religious themes. Finch's works were widely praised for their emotional depth, musicality, and originality.

15. Amelia Lanyer - Amelia Lanyer (1569-1645) was an English poet and author. She is known for her poetry collection "Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum," which is considered one of the earliest feminist works in English literature. Lanyer's works often addressed social and gender inequalities, and she was a pioneering voice for women's rights.

16. Fanny Burney - Fanny Burney (1752-1840) was an English novelist, playwright, and diarist. She is known for her novels, such as "Evelina" and "Camilla," which are considered early examples of the epistolary novel genre. Burney's works are known for their wit, social satire, and vivid characterization.

17. Elizabeth Carter - Elizabeth Carter (1717-1806) was an English poet, translator, and scholar. She is known for her translations of Greek and Latin classics, as well as her poetry, essays, and letters. Carter's works were admired for their erudition, intelligence, and literary skill.

Each of these authors made significant contributions to English literature, and their works continue to be studied and appreciated today for their literary merit, historical significance, and cultural impact.

revised summary of each works

1. King Lear - King Lear is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been composed between 1603 and 1606. It tells the story of an aging king who decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, leading to disastrous consequences.

2. As You Like It - As You Like It is a comedy play written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1599. It follows the story of Rosalind, who flees to the Forest of Arden disguised as a boy to escape persecution and finds love amidst the forest's inhabitants.

3. Volpone - Volpone is a satirical comedy play written by Ben Jonson, published in 1606. It revolves around the cunning and deceitful Volpone, who pretends to be dying in order to manipulate the people around him for his own gain.

4. Paradise Lost - Paradise Lost is an epic poem written by John Milton, published in 1667. It explores the fall of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden and their subsequent journey of redemption, dealing with themes of sin, rebellion, and the nature of God and humanity.

5. Absalom and Achitophel - Absalom and Achitophel is a satirical poem written by John Dryden, published in 1681. It uses biblical allegory to portray the political events of the time, particularly the conflict between King Charles II and his illegitimate son, James Scott, Duke of Monmouth.

6. Rape of the Lock - Rape of the Lock is a mock-heroic poem written by Alexander Pope, published in 1712. It satirizes the frivolous social customs of the 18th century aristocracy, particularly the incident of a lock of hair being cut from a young lady's head.

7. Pamela - Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded, is an epistolary novel written by Samuel Richardson, published in 1740. It tells the story of a young maidservant, Pamela, who resists the advances of her employer, Mr. B, and eventually marries him, promoting the values of virtue and morality.

8. Letters of Elizabeth Carter - The Letters of Elizabeth Carter are a collection of letters written by Elizabeth Carter, an English poet, scholar, and translator, published posthumously in 1809. The letters offer insight into Carter's life, literary pursuits, and correspondence with prominent figures of her time, showcasing her intellect and accomplishments.

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