Take the Week Off

We haven't read far enough, I don't think, to have a beneficial discussion of Congreve just yet. I'll remind us all to start again next week.

Types and Imagery

We discussed in class that in Volpone the characters (and institutions, I might suggest) are types rather than individuals. What traits of human nature, or stereotypes of institutions (I'm thinking of the Scrutineo [Act 4.4]) are exposed and exploited in the play through the various characters? How does the animal imagery emphasize the stereotype?

End Justifies the Means?

It is pretty clear that the characters in Volpone think that the end will justify the means. Do you think that is the attitude of the play? Is that what the audience should think? In your answer, be specific in the characters that do believe that the end justifies the means--no matter what means--and then show how the play may or may not contradict the attitudes of the characters.

The Language of Poetry

Herbert and Herrick stand in contrast to the more intellectual Donne, I think. Does the simplicity of the language--especially of Herbert--trivialize the subject? Or do you find Herbert's religious poetry and Herrick's love poetry more powerful because their language is simpler? And this is not to say that they are easier to understand--what it important is the power of the message.

Not Done with Donne

We didn't get to discuss the poetry of John Donne much in class, so let's go for it now. Which of the poems did you find the easiest to understand and which not so much? What struck you as the most dominant image/symbol/metaphor in all these poems? Why?