诗歌选修第六周（18世纪诗歌） 英美诗歌选读.pptVIP

Selected Readings of British American Poetry Lecture 6: 18th century Poetry Alexander Pope (1688-1744) Enlightenment Period Neo-Classicism: emphasize reason, rules forms/ follow the roman ancient style/ write about social political life, cities, the clubs, and drawing rooms Alexander Pope The most important English poet in the first half the 18th c./ born in London/ at 12 got a severe illness ruined his health/ a crooked back/ receive very little education/ taught himself. “Essays on Man”, a philosophical poem in four parts, a didactic poem written in heroic couplets. Epistle two (书札二节选) KNOW THEN THYSELF 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 dis-abused; 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 hurled: The Glory, Jest, and Riddle of the world! Questions Popes poem asserts that we can never really know or understand God, since he is too far above our human mental abilities. So Pope says that we should Know then thyself. Why does he think that the proper study of mankind is Man? This excerpt both praises and criticizes people. Can you find examples of both? What human qualities does he praise? What human characteristics does he criticize? Why does the poet assert that people are The glory, jest, and riddle of the world? Application Wild Association?? Do you agree or disagree with Popes view of humanity