Alexander Pope Date- 14 February 2023
Table of Contents 01 Preface 02 Introduction 03 Poet’s biography 04 05 06 Facts about poet 07 08 Sound And Sense Riddle of the World Bode on Solitude Reference Group Members 09
Preface Before you read the analysis paper of poet Alexander Pope “Ode on Solitude, the riddle of the world, and universal prayer”. It has been written to fulfill the project requirements of the course of Literary Appreciation by Ajarn Preeyapha Wangmanee under the faculty of humanity at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University. Our group was engaged in research, analysis, and writing of this analysis paper from January 24 to February 13. The objective of the analysis poem paper is for students will be able to analyze various historical poems as well as locate literary devices found in these poems. On the other hand, the objective of studying poem is to increase creativity, correct speech rhythm, enhance vocabulary, and familiar with the author’s style of writing. We noticed during our previous of studying, we avoided stepping outside our comfort zone. This time we wanted to approach the analysis paper differently, by choosing a poem that required skills we did not yet have. We worked with an unfamiliar poem, different skills with the groups, and different idea to finish our group works smoothly. We have also gained more experience and understanding of the process we were already familiar. In addition, we have learned that struggling and obstacles such as time, ideas, and management are parts of the process. Therefore, this analysis paper has taught us lessons both professionally and personally. Finally, we want to thank our lecturer Ajarn Preeyapha Wangmanee that giving us a great opportunity to explore our knowledge and skills in literature. I also would like to thank you, my reader: I hope you enjoy your reading.
Introduction Alexander Pope is one of the most renowned poets of the 18th century. He is best known for his masterful use of the heroic couplet, a poetic form that uses two successive rhyming lines of iambic pentameter. His works often centered on the idea of human nature, with a focus on morality, love, and the pursuit of justice. Pope was born in London in 1688. He was a sickly child, and his physical ailments, combined with his learning difficulties, rendered him unable to attend school. He was instead tutored at home, where he quickly developed an interest in literature and poetry. He studied the works of Homer, Horace, and Virgil, among others, and soon began to write his own poetry. Pope’s first major work, “An Essay on Criticism”, was published in 1711. It was an instant success, and established the Pope's reputation as a master of poetry. He wrote several more works of poetry, including “The Rape of the Lock” and “The Dunciad”, which cemented his fame. He also wrote a number of epistles, or letters, to various people, including his friends, family, and patrons. In addition to his poetic works, Pope was also a translator, a mentor, and a critic. He translated Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”, and was a noted critic of the literary works of his contemporaries. He was also a mentor to a number of other writers, including Jonathan Swift and Samuel Johnson. Pope’s work influenced many poets of the Romantic period, including William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. His poetic style was often imitated, and his works continue to be studied and celebrated today. His most famous works, such as “The Rape of the Lock” and “The Dunciad”, are widely read and discussed. Alexander Pope is one of the most influential poets of the 18th century, and his contribution to literature and language is immense.
Poet’s biography Alexander Pope (1688–1744) was a English poet, translator and essayist, as known as his poem The Rape of the Lock and Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. He is considered one of the greatest English poets of all time and is considered a master of the neoclassical form of poetry. Pope was born in London and was educated at home until the age of twelve when he entered a Roman Catholic school. His education was interrupted by illness, but he continued to write poetry throughout his life. His early works were imitations of classical authors such as Virgil and Horace, but he soon began to write original works such as An Essay on Criticism and The Rape of the Lock. Pope's most famous work is The Rape of the Lock which is a mock-epic poem written in the style of a classical epic. It is a satire of the petty quarrels between two families and how they were handled. The poem gained immense popularity and is considered one of the most important works of the Augustan Age. Alexander Pope's family was quite prominent in the Catholic community in London. His father was a linen merchant who had immigrated from Rome in 1685, and his mother was the daughter of an English Catholic merchant. Pope was the second of six children, and he was educated by his father, who was a devout Catholic. Pope's father had his son schooled in Latin and Greek, and Pope's family was also quite involved in the arts, and his mother was a patron of the painter Francis Hayman. Pope was also a close friend of the artist William Hogarth, and the two collaborated on several projects. Pope's family was wellconnected and respected in their community, and their influence enabled the Pope to become a prominent public figure. Pope was also a prolific translator of classical works. He translated both The Iliad and The Odyssey which were published in 1715 and 1725 respectively. His translations of these works were considered to be some of the finest translations of their time. Pope was a very influential figure in the 18th century and his works have had an enduring influence on the English language and culture. His works have been studied and admired by people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Pope's poetry, translations, and essays have been widely appreciated and have had an immense impact on the English language.
•Alexander Pope was born in London in 1688. •Pope was a Roman Catholic in an era of Protestant England. •He was largely self-educated and became a successful poet, essayist, and translator. •Pope's most famous work is the epic poem "The Rape of the Lock," which pokes fun at the aristocratic society of his day. •He was a close friend of the poet John Dryden and collaborated with him on several works. •Pope was known for his satirical writings and his use of the heroic couplet. •He was also an advocate for nature and wrote poems on the subject. •Pope's poetry was widely popular in the 18th century, and he was one of the first British poets to be widely read in Europe. •His poem “An Essay on Criticism” is considered to be one of the most important works of literary criticism in English literature. •Pope wrote poetry in a range of genres, including pastoral, heroic, and satiric. Facts about poet
Alexander Pope's writing style is known for its wit, complexity, and intellectual sophistication. His poems often contain complex and subtle reasoning, and often rely heavily on classical allusions, as well as Biblical and mythological references. His poetry often features contrasting ideas and thought-provoking themes, and his use of imagery, metaphor, and satire are some of his distinctive features. He also often employs a type of poetic structure called the heroic couplet, which is two successive rhyming lines of iambic pentameter. Pope's writing is marked by its use of irony, paradox, and a distinctively modern sensibility, as well as its often poetic and philosophical use of language. Pope's works often explore themes of religion, morality, and the human condition. He was a deeply religious man, and his works reflect his belief in the power of faith and the importance of moral behavior. His poems often focus on the idea of a Christian God, and he often uses his poetry to draw connections between the spiritual world and the physical world. In his poem "The Rape of the Lock," for example, Pope uses the metaphor of the theft of a lock of hair to explore the nature of sin and its consequences. Pope's writing style is full of wit and sophisticated language, and his works often contain extended metaphors, clever rhymes, and inventive turns of phrase. His use of satire and irony often serves to make his points more effectively, and his writing can often be seen as a balancing act between the serious and the humorous. Pope was known to be a master of the English language, and his poems are often praised for their mastery of meter and rhyme. His works continue to be studied to this day, and his writing style stands as one of the most influential and iconic of the 18th Century. Poet’s style
True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learned to dance. ‘Tis not enough no harshness gives offense, The sound must seem an echo the sense: Soft is the strain when Zephyr gently blows, And the smooth stream in smoother numbers flows; But when loud surges lash the sounding shore, The hoarse, rough verse should like the torrent roar; When Ajax strives, some rock’s vast weight to throw, The line too labors, and the words move slow; Not so, when swift Camilla scours the plain, Flies o’er the unbending corn, and skims along the main. Hear how Timotheus’ varied lays surprise, And bid alternate passions fall and rise! Sound And Sense
Sound And Sense Line 1-2 True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learned to dance. The writer expresses the feeling that creating a great masterpiece is not as easy as it seems. Pope compared writing as in art which cannot be a masterpiece by going through practicing strokes and paints. A good writing didn't come out by luck but by giving in our efforts. And he also use dance to describe that even dancers practiced to get the best moves. Line 3-4 ‘Tis not enough no harshness gives offense, The sound must seem an echo the sense: In this line 3-4, it is expressed by saying that even if you are writing your poem but there are no comments on the poem you're writing doesn’t mean that your poem is great or even a good poem. And writing a poem also needs sounds and rhymes to suit the meaning; to make sense. Line 5-6 Soft is the strain when Zephyr gently blows, And the smooth stream in smoother numbers flows; In this line 5-6, he was trying to prove the Line 3-4 that he wasn’t just joking around. In line 5 he arranged the unstressed sound like “o” as soft and “a” in strain that takes longer to say. For line 6, it is obviously harder to say when the consonant like “m, th, b” with those S’s attached and takes more time to get around smoothly with all the sounds.
Sound And Sense Line 7-8 But when loud surges lash the sounding shore, The hoarse, rough verse should like the torrent roar; The writer tried to tell about the sounds that go smooth together and match it in lines 5-6. But, it flows back in opposite directions in the line 7-8. The writer says that if you are writing about loud waves in the poem it should be as rough as the image. We can clearly see that there is no comma in the middle of the line in line 1-6, which it is seen in line 8 that could give a harsh and rough sound as an effect in writing poetry; “The HOARSE”. The following sounds like “l”,”s”, “sh” are also repeated which give of the rough sounds : “loud lashes surges, sounding shore”. Line 9-10 When Ajax strives, some rock’s vast weight to throw, The line too labors, and the words move slow In lines 9-10, the writer tells about Ajax who is a mythological hero in Greek legend in order to try to compare the hardness of lifting and throwing the heavy weight of the rock to the stress at the beginning of the line: “the LINE TOO Labors, and the WORDS MOVE SLOW.”
Sound And Sense Line 7-8 But when loud surges lash the sounding shore, The hoarse, rough verse should like the torrent roar; The writer tried to tell about the sounds that go smooth together and match it in lines 5-6. But, it flows back in opposite directions in the line 7-8. The writer says that if you are writing about loud waves in the poem it should be as rough as the image. We can clearly see that there is no comma in the middle of the line in line 1-6, which it is seen in line 8 that could give a harsh and rough sound as an effect in writing poetry; “The HOARSE”. The following sounds like “l”,”s”, “sh” are also repeated which give of the rough sounds : “loud lashes surges, sounding shore”. Line 9-10 When Ajax strives, some rock’s vast weight to throw, The line too labors, and the words move slow In lines 9-10, the writer tells about Ajax who is a mythological hero in Greek legend in order to try to compare the hardness of lifting and throwing the heavy weight of the rock to the stress at the beginning of the line: “the LINE TOO Labors, and the WORDS MOVE SLOW.”
Sound And Sense Line 11-12 Not so, when swift Camilla scours the plain, Flies o’er the unbending corn, and skims along the main. In lines 12-13, the writer references ‘Camilla’, the virgin queen of the Volscians, who was described by Virgil as being so fast that she could run over a field of corn without bending the stalks. The writer creates swift lines by using the iambic meter over two syllables by changing the word “over” to “o’er”. Line 13-14 Hear how Timotheus’ varied lays surprise, And bid alternate passions fall and rise! In order to express lines 13-14, the writer uses Timotheus who was one of the most important ancient Greek poets that can move the reader in an unexpected way through his poems. The writer tells that the poem can make each of the words and punctuation remind an emotional and leave with a sense of delight to the reader. The phrase “rise and fall” are surprising to hear something unexpected.
Themes and Tone The sound and sense is probably a work of arts by Alexander Pope , which he tells the idea of how a good poetry is. Alexander used alliteration mainly in this poem. Moreover, he uses many others devices in the poem to shows the structure of a good poem and explain it in the poems itself too. Figurative language Lines 5,6,7, and 8 are a form of Metaphor. A metaphor is a figure of speech that compare two things that have some common characteristics. Lines 9, 11, and 13 are using allusion. Allusion is a brief and indirect reference or mentions to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. For example, “When Ajax strives, some rock’s vast weight to throw,”- Ajax is a mythological hero in Greek legend. The “Sound and Sense” uses the rhyme scheme of Couplet as “A,A,B,B,C,C,…..” For example, the end of lines 1-2 has the same assonance as chance and dance. The poem also uses alliteration as “The Sound must seem an Eccho to the Sense”.
Know then thyself, presume not God to scan, The proper study of mankind is man. Placed on this isthmus of a middle state, A being darkly wise, and rudely great: With too much knowledge for the sceptic side, With too much weakness for the stoic’s pride. He hangs between; in doubt to act, or rest; In doubt to deem himself a god, or beast; In doubt his mind or body to prefer; Born but to die, and reasoning but to err; Alike in ignorance, his reason such, Whether he thinks too little, or too much: Chaos of thought and passion, all confused; Still by himself abused, or disabused; Created half to rise, and half to fall; Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurl’d; The glory, jest, and riddle of the world! Alexander Pope Riddle of the World
Riddle of the World The meaning of the poem is as follow: 1 st line - to get to know oneself first, not the ways of god. 2 nd line – to understand the human species, you must understand yourself once again 3 rd line - to be in the middle of land. Neutral land for mankind and its animals 4 th line - despite or uniqueness, mankind thinks as themselves so wise it clouds the fact that they lack meaning. Line5/6- we’re too knowledgeable and conscious/cognitive compared to animals but we are weak compared to a god. Line 7/8 - He hangs between (caught in between) the question “Am I like a god? or am I like an animal?” Line 9 - we have the power to choose whether we see ourselves as moral human beings or a beast creature with no restriction. Line 10-Like everything in this world it has to end sometime. All living things comes to an end when meeting face to face with death. Unlike plants and animals’ in his perspective we have a more cognitive understanding Line 11 - humans are smart but ignorant in “his” reason. I guess his is supposed to be god. Line 12- whether “he” once again I think he is talking about god thinking little or a lot on mankind. Line 13- an inner battle with primitive instincts and reason.
Riddle of the World Line 14- when still alone humans feel either abused or un-abused. Line 15 - half of many humans will rise and some set up to fail and go the opposite direction. Line 16 - means “great lord of all things” to the humans seeing as we’re a species that craves power and concurs things. They have power over what rule. Line 17 - even when knowing and facing truth and knowing what is right and wrong there is an error tp the species that causes us to “sin” or do what is “wrong”. Line 18- Meaning overall the experience and concept of mankind is great and unique compared to many other things. The true purpose of mankind remains a mystery as a true riddle of the world that many great thinkers dwell on. Alexander Pope, who was well-thought-out to the greatest poet of English during the early eighteenth century. He was born on 21st May 16688 and died on 30th May 1744. He mostly wrote didactic poetry. Because of his own efforts for learned French, Latin, Italian, and Greek poet, he was significantly influenced by Homer. The poem “the riddle of the world” is an extract taken from An Essay on Man: Epistle 2. This long poem has four Epistles. It is considered to be a sublime work of poetry. This extract ‘the riddle of the world’ argues that human beings should learn to look at themselves and try to learn about their own nature, power, limitations, and weakness. It is a plea to look inward to gather knowledge about oneself.
Riddle of the World Poet’s styles Pope largely wrote his poetry in heroic couplets, which, at the time, was a fairly new poetic form. His metrical skill earned him his fame, and allowed Pope to join a wider circle of authors in London. Pope also liked to write in a satirical manner, writing mock-heroic epics. Who the poet talks to? The poem is talking to the reader and all human beings. The poet advises all human beings that we should know ourselves. We should be limited only to study of our own nature and existence and not to waste ours energy in knowing or judging the scheme of university propounded by God. For studying mankind, we must study human. Pope says that human is a strange creature full of contrary qualities and feelings of wisdom and folly, greatness and pettiness, reason and passion, love and hate. Human is forever caught in the conflicting claims of body and soul. We cannot decide if we should prefer our body or mind. Pope mentions that we are all born to die. Finally, the poet abandons his search to understand human nature because human is a mixture of thoughts and feeling. Human can either rise or be a good, or can fall and be a beast. Type of Poem Descriptive poem: As the writer describe the natural world surrounding him. It more focus on outward rather than strong thoughts and feeling. It is more personal and introspective. Pope gives insight into the morals and view of men. Sound of Poem The poet has used rhyme. It repeats a similar sound in two or more word. It is occurred between 2 lines or within one line. There are 18 lines of end rhyme and 10 lines of internal rhyme that we can found in “the riddle of the world”. For example: scan – man, state – great, side – pride, etc. darkly – rudely, with too much – with too much, act – rest, etc.
Riddle of the World Figurative Language Paradox : A being darkly wise, and rudely great Darkly wise = foolish wise, rudely great = great and yet mean Theme The major theme of the poem is judgment. The minor theme of the poem circle of life and good and evil. Tone Reflective contemplative, philosophical, and thoughtprovoking
Bode on Solitude Happy the man, whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air, In his own ground. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Whose flocks supply him with attire, Whose trees in summer yield him shade, In winter fire. Blest, who can unconcernedly find Hours, days, and years slide soft away, In health of body, peace of mind, Quiet by day, Sound sleep by night; study and ease, Together mixed; sweet recreation; And innocence, which most does please, With meditation. Thus let me live, unseen, unknown; Thus unlamented let me die; Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie. BY ALEXANDER POPE
Bode on Solitude “Ode on solitude”, was one of early work of Alexander Pope. he was only twelve years old when he creates this poem. This poem expresses Pope's joy and longing for the peaceful and selfsufficient pastoral life, and tells the story of the happy and easy life in a tone full of praise. The poem is written in a fresh and natural way, and conveys a kind of innocence and natural beauty in the description of idyllic life figurative language This is a poem praising the pastoral theme, praising the comfort and pleasant time of pastoral life. It fully expresses the poet's love and yearning for pastoral life. This poem uses the technique of combining scenes to integrate emotions into the poems. Using the method of line drawing, it describes the scene of people living in harmony with nature, and expresses the poet's pure feelings for nature. The poem was written in 1700. At that time, Alexander Pope was only 12 years old and wrote this poem. Considered the most outstanding poet of his time. This poem is very different from most of the poems he wrote later. Embodies a contemplative and serious style. The poet praised people who live a simple and free life. Think that life is free and does not need other material to help.
Bode on Solitude “Ode on solitude”, was one of early work of Alexander Pope. he was only twelve years old when he creates this poem. This poem expresses Pope's joy and longing for the peaceful and self-sufficient pastoral life, and tells the story of the happy and easy life in a tone full of praise. The poem is written in a fresh and natural way, and conveys a kind of innocence and natural beauty in the description of idyllic life figurative language This is a poem praising the pastoral theme, praising the comfort and pleasant time of pastoral life. It fully expresses the poet's love and yearning for pastoral life. This poem uses the technique of combining scenes to integrate emotions into the poems. Using the method of line drawing, it describes the scene of people living in harmony with nature, and expresses the poet's pure feelings for nature. The poem was written in 1700. At that time, Alexander Pope was only 12 years old and wrote this poem. Considered the most outstanding poet of his time. This poem is very different from most of the poems he wrote later. Embodies a contemplative and serious style. The poet praised people who live a simple and free life. Think that life is free and does not need other material to help.
Bode on Solitude A free man whose life is limited to lusting over the land and wishing his crops a good harvest. He breathed every breath of fresh air in the land. He raised a cow, and the cow gave milk. He planted a field and it was full of crops. He kept sheep and provided him with cloth to weave his clothes. He planted a tree to provide him with shade in summer and warmth in winter. He didn't have any troubles, and he was contented every day, and the days passed day by day. He is also physically fit and free of anxiety. Those who can live such a life are happy people. Sleep soundly at night in sweet dreams. He enjoys life, works hard and relaxes. Live happily every day. This is very enjoyable. This is the way of life I pursue. I hope no one knows me and no one mourns me when I die. I die quietly, don't put my name on the tombstone. Life is as gorgeous as summer flowers, and death is as quiet and beautiful as autumn leaves.
Bode on Solitude The poem celebrates the beauty of a simple and solitary life. The poet believes that a lonely and self-sufficient person is happy. He is not attracted by any external material. Live in an ordinary life, be healthy, free from work pressure and anxiety, and live seriously. In short, what this poem is about is that people living in this world should not be limited by other people's words, and they should pursue what kind of life they want. The poet believes that the best state of a person's life is to have a healthy body and a stable mood. What people need for happiness is a quiet life and a peaceful sleep. In other words, people's happiness does not come from the charity of others, from own efforts. The poet ends by not wanting to be mourned after his death. It is because the poet wants to live an ordinary life without being disturbed by others. For the poet, he likes this way of life and enjoys it very much. It is shown from this poem that people's happy life does not depend on the amount of external material. It is because people love and enjoy life in the moment. If you really want to do something, then do it with confidence, and leave the rest to time and hard work. The result may not be satisfactory, but you won’t think about it when you get old, why didn't’t I do this at the beginning? like that. A person's life is very short, so you have to live according to the way you like, not blindly catering to others.
Reference Reference -https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/poetry/sound-and-sense-pope -https://allpoetry.com/Sound-and-Sense http://schauhaneng.blogspot.com/2021/12/know-then-thyself-by-alexanderpope.html https://prezi.com/8g_gcgyqsyzu/the-riddle-of-the-world-alexander-pope/ https://smartenglishnotes.com/2020/10/10/know-then-thyself-by-alexanderpope-summary-and-questions-and-answers/ https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781403913913_1 https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46561/ode-on-solitude
Group Members Ms. Ye Hanbing 651753304 Ms. Nang Lwant Lwant Kham 651853202 Ms. Nang Num Hsai 651853208 Mr. Sai Khay Han 651853214 Mr. Sai Au Kaw Mong 651853220 Ms. Nang Mwe Hseng Num 651853226 Mr. Kuai Wenjie 651853302
“This work is a part of the activity in EIC 3301 Literary Appreciation Course, Semester 2, Academic Year 2023, for education purposes.”