Question for November 30: The Beggar's Opera, Acts 1 & 2 (to scene 8)

The Beggar’s Opera has for its heroes and heroines highwaymen, thieves, prostitutes, fences and police informants.  John Gay wrote it as a satire on upper class morals.  He said of his play, “It is difficult to determine whether the fine Gentlemen imitate the Gentlemen of the Road or the Gentlemen of the Road the fine Gentlemen.”  Comment upon the ways that these unsavory characters from London low life reflect the lives of the upper classes, particularly lawyers, ministers, refined lords and ladies, and statesmen.  Do Gay’s comparisons seem realistic to you?

Question for November 28: Pope and Irwin (pages 2598-2607)

Alexander Pope believed that each person has a "ruling passion . . . , a single irresistible desire" (Norton 2597).  In his "Epistle 2. To a Lady," he argues that although men may have many different ruling passions, only two are found in women:  "The love of pleasure, and the love of sway [or power]" (line 210).  Anne Ingram, Viscountess Irwin wrote "An Epistle to Mr. Pope" in response to Pope's poem.  In it, she argues that both men and women desire power, but women have been limited by society's customs, particularly as regards education.  Which view of women seems more realistic to you, Pope's or Irwin's?  Find lines in either poem which support or illustrate your view.

(Note:  You will find the second paragraph on page 2597 helpful in understanding Pope's poem.  Lines 1-198 are "a portrait gallery of ladies that illustrates their inconsistency and volatility."  This is the most difficult part of the poem, and you do not have to understand all of it.  Lines 199-248 are on the subject of ruling passions.  Finally, lines 249-92 describe Pope's ideal of womankind.)

Question for November 21: Swift and Montagu

After reading Jonathan Swift's poem, "The Lady's Dressing Room" (pages 2590-93), and Lady Mary Wortley Montagu's response in "The Reasons That Induced Dr. Swift to Write a Poem Called the Lady's Dressing Room" (pages 2593-95), consider the following questions:  What seem to be Swift's purpose and main idea in his poem?  How about Lady Montagu's purpose and main idea in her poem?  How does Montagu imitate the form and content of Swift's poem?  Which poem do you prefer, and why?

Question for November 18: A Modest Proposal (pp. 2462-68)

In "A Modest Proposal," Jonathan Swift assumes a persona (false personal voice as a writer) and suggests an outrageous course of action.  In most of the essay, he does not mean what he says.  The proposal is morally abhorrant to the real Swift.  Why do you think he writes his "Modest Proposal" rather than saying directly what he believes?  What are the advantages (and/or disadvantages) of saying the opposite of what he thinks?  Find evidence in the essay that Swift does not want us to take him seriously.

Question for November 16: The Way of the World, Act 5

As we finish the play tomorrow, let's think about and comment upon the following:  Is anyone hurt by the plots of the various characters, and if so, do they deserve to be?

Question for November 14: Acts 3-4, The Way of the World

No one in our class commented on the question for Friday, but if you go to the blog at http://en205007f11.blogspot.com/, you will see a lively discussion on Friday, and a persuasive argument that Mirabell is not a hero, certainly not in the usual sense.  What do you think?  Let's enlarge the question.  How does Mirabell compare to Fainall, for instance?  Are the two moral equals?  If so, why?  If not, why not?

Question for November 11: The Way of the World, Acts 1 and 2

The hero of "The Way of the World" is Mirabell.  He is a character whose "heroism" made perfect sense to 18th century audiences, but modern audiences tend to have trouble, at first, viewing him as the hero of the story.  Examine the character of Mirabell as he is presented in Acts 1 and 2 (pp. 2228-48).  The last three paragraphs of the introduction, pages 2227-28, will be helpful in explaining the characters and their relationships.  What relationships with women has Mirabell had in the past?  Whom does he want to marry?  What admirable (or disturbing) actions has he done in the past?  Discuss Mirabell actions and passions and decide whether or not you find him heroic thus far.

Question for November 7: Paradise Lost, Book 9

Consider either Satan, Adam and Eve.  How does this character rationalize his or her behavior in Book 9?

Question for November 4: Paradise Lost, Book 4

Look at the opening pages of Book 4 of Paradise Lost, pages 1887-90.  Here Satan lands on earth and the beautiful sight makes him doubt his previous actions and consider repenting them. Trace Satan's line of thought in these pages.  What are some of the reasons that he wants to repent?  Why do you think he decides, by page 1890, that he will never repent?

Question for November 2: Paradise Lost, Book 1

In John Milton's Paradise Lost, readers are introduced to Satan in the form of a fully developed character, with human (and superhuman) qualities.  Book 1 of the poem is set in Hell, immediately after God has thrown Satan and his followers out of Heaven.  Look at the major speeches made by Satan in this book.  You'll find them in lines 84-124, 157-91, 242-70, and 622-62.  (The poem begins on page 1831.)  Set aside, for the moment, any preconceptions you might have about someone named "Satan," and try to describe this character based on what he says in the above speeches.  Especially, notice whether or not Milton's Satan has any qualities a modern audience might consider admirable.