Samuel Johnson’s Rasselas: The Pursuit of Happiness and Eternity
Samuel Johnson’s *Rasselas*: Context and Creation
Johnson’s only novel, Rasselas, was written in the remarkable span of a single week in 1759, prior to the death of his mother. He claimed that he had to write it quickly in order to get money for her funeral. The novel deals with the theme of the human search for happiness, nonetheless ending with the affirmation that the “choice of eternity” is far more important.
Unlike the novels that appeared in the centuries that followed, Rasselas is
Read MoreThe Enduring Friendship of Stanhope and Osborne in Journey’s End
The Centrality of Moral Values in Journey’s End
In R. C. Sherriff’s play, Journey’s End, in addition to depicting the horrors of the First World War, the author’s main purpose is to let the audience reflect on how important moral values are in life. In particular, Sherriff highlights the value of friendship, which is portrayed vividly through the relationship between Captain Stanhope and Lieutenant Osborne. The bond between the two men is presented through a series of key scenes that play an
Read MoreCatalan Theater Revival: Post-War Censorship and Key Authors
Catalan Theater Under the Franco Regime (1939–1975)
The Civil War was a defeat for Catalan culture. The Franco regime forbade the use of the Catalan language, and institutions were suppressed. Literature in Catalan developed mainly in exile or underground. Theater was suppressed until 1946, when some performances resumed, though shows suffered heavy censorship, and it was forbidden to translate works into Catalan.
Early performances represented works from the nineteenth century (such as those by
Read MoreLate Medieval English Literature: Chaucer and Gawain
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A 14th-Century Romance
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the most famous romance of the late 14th century and one of the best-known Arthurian stories. This work is characterized by its use of the alliterative verse of the epic, combined with a lyrical element.
The Green Knight’s Challenge and Themes
The poem describes how Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table, accepts a challenge from a mysterious “Green Knight.” The challenge requires any knight to strike
Read MoreSpanish Golden Age Literature: Cervantes and the Picaresque Novel
Lazarillo de Tormes and the Picaresque Novel
Themes and Motifs
Lazarillo de Tormes presents a profound social and religious satire. It criticizes the false honor that prioritizes maintaining outward appearances. Strong anticlerical criticism is also evident, as all church members who appear in the work behave as:
- Cheaters
- Exploiters
- Licentious
- Greedy
Literary Style
The simple style of the work is a product of the Renaissance trend toward simplicity and naturalness. It is expressed in plain language, befitting
Read MoreMedieval England: Chaucer, Magna Carta, and Thomas Becket
Key Events and Figures in Medieval England
The Return of Christianity
Who Brought Christianity Back to Britain?
In 597, Pope Gregory I the Great sent a monk, Augustine, to bring Christianity back to England. Augustine’s mission of Christianization was successful.
The Magna Carta and Parliament
What Was the Magna Carta?
The Magna Carta was a charter that demanded specific liberties, asked to be signed by the barons, knights, clergy, and townspeople. Edward I, the son of Henry III, respected the terms of
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