英国文学选读unit3课件.pptVIP

Unit3 Francis Bacon  (I561-1626) Of Marriage and Single Life Of Studies Francis Bacon (1561—1626) Francis Bacon, the youngest son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Keeper of the Privy Seal to Queen Elizabeth.He went to Cambridge University at twelve. He took up law after graduation, and soon became successful. He became a member of the House of Commons(下议院) at the age of twenty-three. His alliance with the bourgeoisie(中产阶级) offended Queen Elizabeth who, up until that time had liked him. When James I came to the throne, Bacon became Lord Chancellor and was made a knight in 1618. In the course of his climbing to the top, however, he made enemies who brought about his final downfall. He died in disgrace in 1626. Bacon was English philosopher, essayist, courtier, jurist, and statesman. Bacon’s works may be divided into three groups: the philosophical works; the literal works; and the professional works. Bacon was the founder of English materialist philosophy, as well as of modern science in England. He published The advancement of Learning (1605)and The New Instrument (1620) . The former deals with the accomplishments of science up to his time. In this work he analyzed the various divisions of knowledge and considered the possible means of advancing them. In the latter Bacon described the method by which knowledge could be universalized. Bacon’s literary works are essays. They are noted for their style and striking observations about life. They are the first true English prose classic. Bacon is especially famous for his Essays, first published in 1597 and then in 1625. Bacon’s practical wisdom is shown through his reflections and comments on rather abstract subjects in his 58 essays. These essays cover a wide variety of subjects, such as love, truth, friendship, parents and children, beauty, studies, riches, youth and age, death and many others. Among these essays the famous pieces are Of Studies, Of Travel and Of Wisdom. Writing Style of Bacon’s Essay