Summary of literary texts and key concepts of literature

A courtier is a person designated to attend the royal court as a companion and adviser to the king or queen or prince. The Book of the Courtier is an Italian masterpiece written by Baldesar Castiglione, which comprises the opinions of various courtiers on multiple issues like the qualities of a perfect courtier, the qualities of a true prince, and ruler, true love, and beauty. It can be considered a courtesy book of the era. Written in 1507, the book incorporates conversations and diverse opinions of the courtiers of the court of Urbino, which continued for four consecutive nights. Apart from discussing about the ideal demeanour of a prince, or ruler and principles of a true courtier, they also focus on the concept of true love and the idea of beauty.   In the book four, the author recapitulated the discussion held on the previous evening. The author mourns the loss of three elegant courtiers whose untimely demise shook him to the core. Later, the discussion diverted to a new directi

After the series of horrible occurrences in the castle and the tragic and unfortunate incident death of Conrad, Matilda remains restless in her bed chamber throughout the night. Bianca, her maid, informs Matilda about Isabella’s mysterious disappearance. She becomes terribly worried about her. Bianca also tells her about the peasant’s failed attempt to escape from prison and that he has been captured by the attendants while trying to escape through the secret vault of the castle. Matilda comes to know about the supernatural appearance of the gigantic leg and foot, which has haunted the male attendant Diego, and chased him through the gallery chamber. A Chaplain is summoned in the castle and Bianca thinks that it is for Matilda’s marriage. After Conrad’s death, the only way to continue the family line is to marry Matilda, the sole surviving heir to the castle. Matilda loves her father even when Manfred has never displayed any sign of affection to her. She tries to rationalize Manfred’s

Manfred, the lord of the castle of Otranto is blessed with a son, Conrad and a daughter Matilda. Conrad is a fifteen year old young boy who is puny and of a sickly disposition. Matilda is a virtuous young woman of eighteen. Manfred prefers his son more than Matilda and never displays any sign of affection to her. Hippolita is a devout Christian and a pious lady who always supports her husband as a devoted wife is supposed to do.   Due to Hippolita’s sterility, she is unable to bear a child anymore. Conrad is marrying Isabella, the daughter of Marquis of Vicenza, Frederic, because it is the only way to produce an heir. There has been a prophecy that the true successor of the actual owner of the castle, Alfonso, the good will return to claim his right. Isabella’s father is assumed having died in the holy land, long ago. Isabella has already been delivered by her guardians into the hands of Manfred . She never had any special affinity towards his future husband, Conrad. To attend the m

INTRODUCTION : English poet William Cowper (1731-1800) reconstructed the famous story of Alexander Selkirk, who spent a segregated life for four years on a deserted island and later rescued by a British ship. The poem highlights the sorrow and solitude suffered by Selkirk during his stay on an isolated island. According to Cowper Selkirk (the persona conceived by the poet) regretted his decision later considering his wrong decision the sole cause of his misery. In this poem Cowper projects Selkirk’s reflection on the entire subject of solitude.   HISTORICAL ACCOUNT :   Alexander Selkirk (1676 -1721) was a Scottish sailor. He ran away to the sea and joined the privatizing expedition by William Dampier in 1703.Having quarreled with the captain, he was put ashore on one of the uninhabited  Pacific islands of Juan Fernandez in 1704 and he remained there until 1709 when he was rescued by Woodes Rogers. On his return, he met Richard Steele, who published the accounts of experiences in

The Gothic Novel emerged as a specific literary genre in the latter half of the 18 th century. These novels are marked with an atmosphere of supernatural occurrences, horror, mystery and suspense. The word Gothic originated from the early Germanic tribe, the Goths. Subsequently, the word came to signify anything medieval. During this period, a medieval type of architecture, characterized by the use of pointed arches, vaults, intricate recesses developed and became popular throughout the Western Europe. The term Gothic novel has an alternative term, the Gothic romance.   This literary genre was a product of an interest in the possibilities for emotional excitement by the ages of superstition and romance generated out of a growing interest in the “Gothic” It is a type of prose fiction pioneered by Horace Walpole with his novel The Castle of Otranto: A Gothic Story , published in 1764. Other successful practitioners of this literary genre were Mrs. Anne Radcliffe (1764-1823) The My

Utilitarianism is a theory proliferated from the ethical theories of the late 18 th century that advocated performing actions to maximize happiness and well being for the affected individuals. The major figures who propounded this philosophy were Jeremy Bentham(1748-1832) and John Stuart Mill (1806-1873). John Stuart mill possessed a ‘humane, analytic and lucid mind’ and his writings were written in such a pragmatic and disinterested manner that helped to reform thoughts. Accompanied with the teachings of his father, James Mill and Jeremy Bentham, the ‘utilitarian reformers’, John determined to work on the development of the utilitarian philosophy. He was an astute propagandist and explicator of those views on human welfare and politics. His views helped construct the new theory of happiness and political system based on the greatest happiness principle. In his essay ‘Utilitarianism’, Mill expresses an awareness of the complicated, varied human experiences.   James Mill and Jer

About the Poet: Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was one of the founding figures of the Romantic Movement in England. He was also a member of the Lake Poets. His well known Romantic poems are, Kubla Khan, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Christabel.  He was immensely influenced by the ideals of the French Revolution. Ode of France was the last of his poems which was written by him under the influence of the French Revolution.He is also known for his critical writing Biographia Literaria. About the idea: In the chapter XIV of Coleridge’s Biographia Literaria , he used the phrase, ‘willing suspension of disbelief, to describe ‘ the state of receptivity and credulity desirable in a reader or member of an audience’. The reader should be persuaded to believe the evidently imaginary story narrated by the poet. Coleridge possibly adapted the idea from French sceptic Francois de la Monte La Vayer(1588-1672), who referred to the wisdom of the sceptic in his phrase ‘cetle belle