B.A. English Part-II British Literature – I [DSC III] GO3-DSC1-0301

 

B.A. English Part-II, Semester III (2025–26, 26-27 and 27-28)

British Literature – I [DSC III] GO3-DSC1-0301

Syllabus

 

Unit I Survey Topics:                                                                                               

1. Characteristics of Elizabethan Poetry

2. Features of Elizabethan Drama

 

Unit II Elizabethan Poems:                                                                                     

1. I Find No Peace: Sir Thomas Wyatt

2. Leave me, O Love, which reachest but to dust: Sir Philip Sidney

3. One Day I Wrote Her Name: Edmund Spenser

4. Sonnet 18: Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?: William Shakespeare

5. To Celia [Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes]: Ben Jonson

 

Unit III Drama:                                                                                                        

1. As You Like It: William Shakespeare

 

Unit IV Essays: Charles Lamb                                                                               

1. Dream Children

2. The Superannuated Man

3. A Dissertation on a Roast Pig

UNIT I – Survey Topics

1.  Characteristics of Elizabethan Poetry

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1.1 Introduction to the Elizabethan Age

1.      The Elizabethan Age (1558–1603) is known as the golden age of English literature.

2.      It is named after Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled England during this time.

3.      It was a period of peace, stability, and cultural growth.

4.      Poetry, drama, and prose flourished, with writers like Shakespeare, Spenser, Marlowe, and Sidney becoming famous.

5.      The spirit of the Renaissance (rebirth of learning) was strong, and people showed great interest in art, beauty, and human life.

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1.2 Major Poets of the Age

• William Shakespeare – Known for his sonnets and plays.
• Edmund Spenser – Wrote The Faerie Queene, a great allegorical poem.
• Sir Philip Sidney – Famous for Astrophil and Stella sonnet sequence.
• Christopher Marlowe – Known for his lyrical poem The Passionate Shepherd to His Love.
• Ben Jonson – Wrote poetry and satirical plays.

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1.3 Characteristics of Elizabethan Poetry

1.3.1 Influence of the Renaissance

The Renaissance brought new ideas from ancient Greece and Rome. Poets celebrated human life, beauty, and learning. They mixed classical style with English creativity.
Example: Sir Philip Sidney’s Astrophil and Stella follows the style of Petrarch but shows deep personal feelings:
"With what sharp checks I in myself am shent,
When into Reason’s Audit I do go."

1.3.2 The Sonnet Craze

The sonnet became the most loved poetic form. Two types were used: Petrarchan (Italian) and Shakespearean (English). They usually spoke of love, beauty, and time.
Example: Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18:
"Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate."

1.3.3 Musical Quality of Verse

Poets used iambic pentameter for a smooth rhythm. Rhymes made poems sound like songs.
Example: Marlowe’s The Passionate Shepherd to His Love:
"Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove."

1.3.4 Rich Imagery

Poets created pictures with words.They described nature, seasons, beauty, and emotions in detail.
Example: Spenser in The Faerie Queene:
"Her angel’s face,
As the great eye of heaven shined bright,
And made a sunshine in the shady place."

1.3.5 Pastoral Idealism

Countryside life was shown as peaceful and perfect. Shepherds, green meadows, and rivers were common images.
Example: Marlowe:
"And we will sit upon the rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks."

1.3.6 Allegory and Moral Lessons

Many poems had deeper meanings or moral lessons.
Example: In The Faerie Queene, the Redcrosse Knight stands for holiness and fights evil forces.

1.3.7 Courtly Love Tradition

Love was often shown as noble, respectful, and distant.
Example: Sidney’s Astrophil and Stella shows unreturned but respectful love.

1.3.8 Use of Classical and Mythological References

Poets referred to Greek and Roman gods and heroes.
Example: Shakespeare often mentioned Venus and Cupid in his sonnets.

1.3.9 Blend of Realism and Idealism

Elizabethan poetry mixed real human experiences with ideal beauty.
Example: Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 praises realistic beauty:
"My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun;
Coral is far more red than her lips’ red."

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1.4 Summary

Elizabethan poetry is marked by love of beauty, musical language, and vivid imagery.
It combines classical influence with English creativity.
It celebrates human emotions while also teaching moral lessons.

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1.5 Self-Check Questions

Fill in the blanks:

1. The Elizabethan Age is also known as the _________ Age of English literature.
2. _________ wrote The Faerie Queene.
3. The most popular poetic form of this period was the _________.
4. Christopher Marlowe wrote the poem The Passionate Shepherd to ________.
5. _________ was the monarch during this period.

Answers:

1. Golden
2. Edmund Spenser
3. Sonnet
4. His Love
5. Queen Elizabeth I

 

1.6 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. The Elizabethan Age is named after which monarch?
a) Queen Victoria                    b) Queen Elizabeth I
c) King James I                       d) Queen Mary
Answer: b) Queen Elizabeth I

2. Which poet wrote The Faerie Queene?
a) Shakespeare                        b) Marlowe
c) Spenser                                d) Sidney
Answer: c) Spenser

3. The most popular poetic form of the Elizabethan Age was:
a) Epic                         b) Sonnet
c) Ballad                      d) Ode
Answer: b) Sonnet

4. "Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?" is written by:
a) Marlowe                  b) Sidney
c) Shakespeare            d) Jonson
Answer: c) Shakespeare

5. Which verse form is most common in Elizabethan poetry?
a) Free verse                            b) Iambic pentameter
c) Trochaic tetrameter             d) Blank verse only
Answer: b) Iambic pentameter

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Topic 2: Features of Elizabethan Drama

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Introduction

·         The Elizabethan Age (1558–1603) was not only the golden age of poetry but also the greatest period in English drama.

·         During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the theatre became a major source of entertainment for all classes of people.

·         This period produced the greatest playwrights in English history — William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and Thomas Kyd.

·         The drama of this age combined poetry, action, and vivid characters, and appealed to both the educated and the common audience.

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Learning Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:

1. Explain the major features of Elizabethan drama.
2. Understand how the Renaissance influenced the theatre.
3. Identify the themes, styles, and techniques used by Elizabethan playwrights.
4. Recognize the importance of characters, structure, and stagecraft.

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Major Playwrights of the Age

• William Shakespeare – Master of tragedy, comedy, and history plays (Hamlet, As You Like It, Henry IV).
• Christopher Marlowe – Known for his powerful blank verse (Doctor Faustus, Tamburlaine).
• Ben Jonson – Wrote satirical comedies (Volpone, The Alchemist).
• Thomas Kyd – Famous for the revenge tragedy (The Spanish Tragedy).

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Features of Elizabethan Drama

1. Influence of the Renaissance

Elizabethan drama was influenced by the Renaissance spirit of learning and humanism.
Playwrights studied classical Greek and Roman drama but added English creativity.
Example: In Doctor Faustus, Marlowe uses the classical tragic form but adds Renaissance ambition for knowledge.

2. Variety of Themes

Plays covered love, revenge, ambition, patriotism, religion, and magic.
Example: Shakespeare’s Hamlet explores revenge and morality, while A Midsummer Night’s Dream celebrates love and fantasy.

3. Use of Blank Verse and Prose

Most serious plays were written in blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter).
Prose was used for comic scenes or lower-class characters.
Example: In Hamlet, noble speeches are in verse, but the gravedigger scene is in prose.

4. Strong and Memorable Characters

Characters were realistic, with both strengths and weaknesses.
Example: Shakespeare’s Macbeth is ambitious but full of guilt; Falstaff is comic yet wise.

5. Mixing of Tragedy and Comedy

Elizabethan plays often mixed serious and humorous scenes.
Example: In Macbeth, the Porter’s comic scene follows the murder of King Duncan, giving relief to the audience.

6. Use of Soliloquy

A soliloquy allowed characters to speak their thoughts aloud to the audience.
Example: Hamlet’s “To be, or not to be” speech reveals his inner conflict.

7. Supernatural Elements

Ghosts, witches, and magic often appeared in plays.
Example: The ghost of Hamlet’s father urges him to take revenge; witches in Macbeth predict the future.

8. Historical and Patriotic Plays

Some plays celebrated England’s history and heroes.
Example: Shakespeare’s Henry V shows the glory of English victory at Agincourt.

9. Open-air Theatres and Audience Involvement

Plays were performed in theatres like The Globe without artificial lighting.
The audience stood close to the stage and reacted loudly.

10. Lack of Scenery but Rich Language

Since there were few stage sets, playwrights used powerful language to create images in the audience’s mind.
Example: Marlowe’s lines in Doctor Faustus describe heavenly beauty without any actual scenery.

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Summary

Elizabethan drama blended classical influence with English creativity.
It used blank verse, strong characters, and varied themes.
It appealed to both the educated elite and common people.
The mix of tragedy and comedy, supernatural elements, and patriotic spirit made it lively and lasting.

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Self-Check Questions

Fill in the blanks:

1. Most serious Elizabethan plays were written in ________ verse.
2. ________ is known as the greatest playwright of the Elizabethan Age.
3. The famous open-air theatre in London was called the ________.
4. ________ wrote Doctor Faustus.
5. The mixing of tragic and comic scenes is called _________.

Answers:

1. Blank                                   2. William Shakespeare           3. The Globe

4. Christopher Marlowe          5.Comic Relief

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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Which playwright is famous for revenge tragedies?
   a) Marlowe                              b) Kyd
   c) Jonson                                 d) Shakespeare
   Answer: b) Kyd
2. Which of these is NOT a feature of Elizabethan drama?
   a) Use of blank verse              b) Heavy use of scenery
   c) Strong characters                d) Soliloquies
   Answer: b) Heavy use of scenery
3. "To be, or not to be" is from which play?
   a) Macbeth                  b) Hamlet
   c) King Lear                d) Othello
   Answer: b) Hamlet
4. The witches appear in which Shakespearean tragedy?
   a) Hamlet                    b) King Lear
   c) Macbeth                  d) Julius Caesar
   Answer: c) Macbeth
5. The Globe Theatre was located in:
   a) Oxford        b) Stratford-upon-Avon
   c) London       d) Cambridge
   Answer: c) London

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Unit 2 – Elizabethan Poems

1. I Find No Peace by Sir Thomas Wyatt

About the Poet

Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–1542) was an English poet, diplomat, and courtier in the reign of King Henry VIII.
He is credited with introducing the sonnet form to England from Italy, especially the Petrarchan sonnet.
Wyatt’s poetry often reflects the struggles of love, loyalty, and court politics.
His language is direct and emotional, yet influenced by classical and Renaissance ideals.
He translated many poems from Italian poet Petrarch and adapted them for an English audience.
“I Find No Peace” is one of his famous sonnets, showing the contradictions of being in love.

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Text of the Poem

I find no peace, and all my war is done;
I fear and hope, I burn and freeze like ice;
I fly above the wind, yet can I not arise;
And nought I have, and all the world I seize on.

That looseth nor locketh holdeth me in prison,
And holdeth me not, yet can I ’scape no wise;
Nor letteth me live nor die at my device,
And yet of death it giveth me occasion.

Without eyen I see, and without tongue I plain;
I desire to perish, and yet I ask health;
I love another, and thus I hate myself;
I feed me in sorrow, and laugh in all my pain;
Likewise displeaseth me both life and death,
And my delight is causer of this strife.

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Summary

The poet says he has no peace, but also no war left to fight.
He feels both fear and hope at the same time.
He burns with passion but also feels cold like ice.
He feels like he flies above the wind but cannot really rise higher.
He owns nothing, yet he feels like he takes over the whole world.

Love both frees him and traps him in a prison.
It does not hold him tightly, yet he cannot escape.
It does not let him live as he wishes, nor die when he wants.
Still, it makes him think about death.

He can see without eyes, and complain without a tongue.
He wishes to die, yet he prays for health.
He loves someone so much that it makes him hate himself.
He feeds on sorrow but still laughs in pain.
Both life and death make him unhappy.
The person he loves is the reason for all his inner conflict.

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Themes

1. Contradictions in Love
   The poem shows how love creates feelings that oppose each other. Love makes the poet feel joy and suffering at the same time.
2. Helplessness in Love
   The poet feels trapped in a situation he cannot control. Love dominates his emotions and actions.
3. Paradox and Petrarchan Influence
   The poem uses many paradoxes, which come from the Italian poet Petrarch’s style.
4. Love as Both Sweet and Painful
   The poet’s beloved brings him happiness but also deep pain.
5. Emotional Turmoil
   Love creates confusion, making him feel hot and cold, hopeful and hopeless, alive and dead.

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MCQs

Q1. Who introduced the Petrarchan sonnet to England?
a) William Shakespeare           b) Sir Thomas Wyatt
c) Edmund Spenser                 d) Ben Jonson
Answer: b) Sir Thomas Wyatt

Q2. In “I Find No Peace,” the poet compares his feelings to:
a) Fire and water                     b) Burning and freezing
c) Flying and falling                d) Silence and music
Answer: b) Burning and freezing

Q3. The main literary device in the poem is:
a) Hyperbole               b) Paradox
c) Alliteration              d) Simile
Answer: b) Paradox

Q4. “I fly above the wind, yet can I not arise” is an example of:
a) Simile                                  b) Paradox
c) Irony                                   d) Personification
Answer: b) Paradox

Q5. The poet’s main feeling toward love in this sonnet is:
a) Pure joy                               b) Hatred
c) Mixed emotions                  d) Complete peace
Answer: c) Mixed emotions

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Short Answer Questions (7–8 lines each)

Q1. Explain the central idea of “I Find No Peace.”
Answer:
The central idea of “I Find No Peace” is the contradictory nature of love. The poet feels both joy and pain because of love. He is caught in a state where he fears and hopes at the same time. Love gives him both life and the thought of death. He feels free and trapped, happy and sad. These contradictions show how deeply love controls his emotions. The poem reflects the influence of Petrarchan sonnets, using paradox to express inner turmoil.

Q2. How does the poet use paradox in the poem?
Answer:
Paradox is used throughout the poem to show the conflict of emotions. The poet says he burns and freezes, flies above the wind but cannot rise, and sees without eyes. These opposites describe how love brings mixed and confusing feelings. The paradoxes make the reader feel the tension inside the poet. This style comes from the Italian poet Petrarch, whom Wyatt admired and translated. Through paradox, the poem captures the strange and powerful nature of love.

Q3. What is the tone of the poem?
Answer:
The tone of the poem is emotional and conflicted. The poet speaks as someone who is both happy and unhappy in love. He is passionate but also sad. His tone shows frustration because he cannot control his feelings or escape love’s power. There is also a sense of helplessness, as if he has surrendered to love’s contradictions. The mixture of joy and pain gives the poem a bittersweet tone.

Q4. How does the poem reflect Renaissance ideals?
Answer:
The poem reflects Renaissance ideals through its focus on human emotions and personal experience. Wyatt uses the sonnet form brought from Italy, showing the influence of Renaissance humanism. The detailed description of love’s power and contradictions fits the Renaissance interest in individual feelings. The blending of classical style with personal expression also shows the period’s literary trends.

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2. Leave me, O Love, which reachest but to dust by Sir Philip Sidney

About the Poet

·         Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586) was one of the most important poets, soldiers, and courtiers of the Elizabethan Age.

·         He is known for his refined style, noble spirit, and literary works like Astrophel and Stella and The Defence of Poesy.

·         Sidney’s poetry combines beauty of language with deep moral values.

·         He died young in battle, becoming a symbol of chivalry and honor in England.

·         This poem shows his religious and moral side, as he turns away from earthly desires to seek eternal values.

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Text of the Poem

Leave me, O Love, which reachest but to dust,
And thou, my mind, aspire to higher things;
Grow rich in that which never taketh rust:
Whatever fades, but fading pleasure brings.

Draw in thy beams, and humble all thy might
To that sweet yoke where lasting freedoms be;
Which breaks the clouds and opens forth the light
That doth both shine and give us sight to see.

O take fast hold, let that light be thy guide
In this small course which birth draws out to death,
And think how evil becometh him to slide,
Who seeketh heaven, and comes of heavenly breath.
Then farewell, world; thy uttermost I see:
Eternal Love, maintain thy life in me.

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Summary

The poet tells worldly love to leave him, because it leads only to dust and death.
He asks his mind to rise to higher, spiritual things.
He wants to gather riches that never decay.
Earthly pleasures fade, and in fading they bring sadness.

He asks his passions to calm down and submit to God’s guidance.
This spiritual guidance brings real freedom.
It clears away the darkness and shows true light.
This light both shines and lets people see truth.

He asks himself to hold on to this guiding light firmly.
Life is short, moving from birth to death quickly.
It is wrong for a person aiming for heaven to slip away from the right path.
He realizes the limits of the world and says goodbye to it.
He prays to Eternal Love (God) to keep his soul alive forever.

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Themes

1. Renunciation of Earthly Love
   The poet rejects physical and worldly love because it is temporary and leads to decay.
2. Spiritual Aspiration
   The focus shifts to seeking eternal, spiritual riches that never fade.
3. Religious Faith
   The guiding light in the poem refers to God’s truth, which leads to salvation.
4. Life’s Shortness
   The poet reminds the reader that life quickly moves from birth to death.
5. Moral Responsibility
   Those who hope for heaven must live with discipline and avoid sinful paths.

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MCQs

Q1. Who is the poet of “Leave me, O Love, which reachest but to dust”?
a) William Shakespeare           b) Sir Philip Sidney
c) Edmund Spenser                 d) Ben Jonson
Answer: b) Sir Philip Sidney

Q2. The “love” rejected in the poem refers to:
a) God’s love                          b) Romantic and earthly love
c) Love of friends                   d) Love for country
Answer: b) Romantic and earthly love

Q3. What does “eternal love” refer to in the poem?
a) Romantic passion                b) God’s divine love
c) Love for nature                   d) Parental love
Answer: b) God’s divine love

Q4. “Grow rich in that which never taketh rust” means:
a) Earn more money                            b) Gather spiritual wealth
c) Collect rare treasures                       d) Study ancient books
Answer: b) Gather spiritual wealth

Q5. What is the tone of the poem?
a) Joyful and playful                           b) Serious and devotional
c) Angry and bitter                             d) Humorous
Answer: b) Serious and devotional

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Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is the main idea of “Leave me, O Love, which reachest but to dust”?

Answer:
The main idea is the rejection of temporary worldly pleasures in favor of eternal spiritual values. The poet speaks to worldly love, asking it to leave him because it leads only to decay and death. He urges his mind to seek higher and lasting treasures—spiritual truths that never fade. The poem shows the poet’s religious devotion and moral seriousness. It also reflects Renaissance ideals of self-control and virtue, combined with Christian faith.

 

Q2. How does Sidney use imagery to contrast worldly and spiritual love?

Answer:
Sidney uses the image of “dust” and “rust” to describe worldly love, showing it as temporary and decaying. In contrast, spiritual love is shown as light that shines and guides. The “light” also breaks clouds, symbolizing the removal of ignorance. This imagery helps readers feel the difference between fading earthly pleasures and eternal heavenly joy. The poet’s choice of vivid, simple images strengthens the devotional tone of the poem.

 

Q3. What moral advice does the poem give?

Answer:
The poem advises people to avoid becoming trapped in temporary pleasures. It reminds them that life is short and moves quickly toward death. Those who aim for heaven must hold firmly to God’s guidance and not slide into sinful ways. By turning away from worldly desires, people can focus on eternal love, which brings real freedom and salvation.

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3. One Day I Wrote Her Name upon the Strand – Edmund Spenser

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About the Poet

·         Edmund Spenser (1552–1599) was one of the greatest poets of the Elizabethan Age.

·         He is famous for his epic poem The Faerie Queene, which is rich in allegory and moral lessons.

·         Spenser’s poetry is known for its musical language, imaginative beauty, and strong moral tone.

·         He also developed the Spenserian sonnet form, which has a unique rhyme scheme.

·         In this sonnet, he explores the themes of love, mortality, and the power of poetry.

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Text of the Poem

One day I wrote her name upon the strand,
But came the waves and washèd it away:
Again I wrote it with a second hand,
But came the tide, and made my pains his prey.

"Vain man," said she, "that dost in vain assay
A mortal thing so to immortalize;
For I myself shall like to this decay,
And eke my name be wiped out likewise."

"Not so," (quod I) "let baser things devise
To die in dust, but you shall live by fame:
My verse your virtues rare shall eternize,
And in the heavens write your glorious name.
Where whenas Death shall all the world subdue,
Our love shall live, and later life renew."

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Summary

One day, the poet wrote his beloved’s name in the sand.
But the waves came and washed it away.
He wrote it again, but the tide destroyed his work.

The woman laughed at him and called him foolish.
She said he was trying in vain to make something mortal live forever.
She reminded him that she too would die and her name would be forgotten.

The poet replied that she was wrong.
He said that ordinary things may turn to dust, but she would live through fame.
His poetry would make her rare virtues last forever.
It would write her name in the heavens.
Even when Death conquers all, their love would live and inspire future generations.

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Themes

1. Mortality and Immortality
   The poem contrasts human life, which fades like writing in the sand, with poetry, which can preserve memory forever.
2. Power of Art
   Spenser believes poetry can give immortality by recording a person’s name and virtues.
3. Romantic Love
   The poem celebrates the poet’s deep affection and admiration for his beloved.
4. Nature vs. Human Effort
   The waves and tide represent nature’s power to erase human work, but art can resist time in another way.

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MCQs

Q1. Who is the poet of “One Day I Wrote Her Name Upon the Strand”?
a) William Shakespeare                       b) Ben Jonson
c) Edmund Spenser                             d) Sir Philip Sidney
Answer: c) Edmund Spenser

Q2. What does the “strand” mean in the poem?
a) A mountain path                 b) A sandy beach
c) A rope                                 d) A garden
Answer: b) A sandy beach

Q3. What washes away the name in the sand?
a) The wind                             b) The tide/waves
c) A passer-by                         d) Rain
Answer: b) The tide/waves

Q4. What does the beloved think about the poet’s effort?
a) She praises it                       b) She laughs and calls it vain
c) She ignores it                      d) She joins him
Answer: b) She laughs and calls it vain

Q5. How does the poet claim he will immortalize her?
a) By building a statue                        b) By writing poetry
c) By painting her portrait                   d) By planting a tree
Answer: b) By writing poetry

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Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is the main conflict in “One Day I Wrote Her Name upon the Strand”?

Answer:
The conflict is between the temporary nature of human life and the poet’s desire to make his beloved immortal. The waves wash away her name each time he writes it in the sand, symbolizing how time erases all things. The beloved tells him it is foolish to try to make mortal things eternal. The poet argues that while physical things may fade, his poetry will preserve her name and virtues forever. This reflects the Renaissance belief in the power of art to defy death.

 

Q2. How does Spenser use nature as a symbol in the poem?

Answer:
Nature, in the form of waves and the tide, symbolizes time and mortality. The act of writing in the sand represents human effort, which nature easily erases. The waves washing away the name show how quickly life and memory can vanish. In contrast, poetry is presented as something that can resist nature’s erasing power. This symbolic contrast strengthens the poem’s theme of immortality through art.

 Q3. What is the poet’s final message to his beloved?

Answer:
The poet’s final message is that their love will live forever through his verse. He says that while ordinary things may return to dust, her name will be remembered because his poetry will preserve it. Even when death conquers all, their love will inspire future generations. This message reflects both personal devotion and faith in the lasting power of literature.

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4. Sonnet 18: Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?

– William Shakespeare

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About the Poet

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is widely regarded as the greatest playwright and poet in the English language.
He wrote 154 sonnets, along with many plays and narrative poems.
Shakespeare’s works explore timeless themes such as love, beauty, mortality, jealousy, and the passage of time.
This sonnet is one of his most famous, celebrating the immortal beauty of the beloved through poetry.

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Text of the Poem

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:

Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance, or nature’s changing course, untrimmed;

But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wanderest in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou growest:

So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.

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Summary

The poet wonders if he should compare the beloved to a summer’s day. He decides the beloved is more beautiful and calm than summer. Summer can be rough, with strong winds shaking the buds of May. Also, summer is short and ends quickly. Sometimes the sun is too hot. Sometimes clouds dim its brightness. Everything beautiful eventually loses its beauty, either by chance or by the natural passing of time. But the beloved’s beauty will not fade.
It will never be taken away. Even death will not claim the beloved, because in the poet’s verse, the beloved will live forever. As long as people are alive to read the poem, the beloved’s beauty will continue to live in these lines.

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Themes

1. Immortality Through Art
   Shakespeare shows that poetry can preserve beauty and memory forever, defeating time and death.
2. The Power of Love
   Love is shown as worthy of eternal remembrance, not just temporary pleasure.
3. Time and Change
   Summer represents the natural beauty that fades with time, but the beloved’s beauty is made eternal through verse.
4. Nature vs. Art
   Nature’s beauty fades, but artistic beauty remains. The sonnet itself becomes a monument to the beloved.

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MCQs

Q1. Who is the poet of “Sonnet 18”?
a) Edmund Spenser                 b) William Shakespeare
c) Sir Philip Sidney                 d) Ben Jonson
Answer: b) William Shakespeare

Q2. What season is the beloved compared to in the opening line?
a) Winter                     b) Spring
c) Summer                   d) Autumn
Answer: c) Summer

Q3. What shakes the buds of May?
a) Rain                         b) Rough winds
c) Birds                       d) Bees
Answer: b) Rough winds

Q4. What does “eye of heaven” refer to?
a) The moon                b) God
c) The sun                    d) A rainbow
Answer: c) The sun

Q5. What ensures the beloved’s beauty will not fade?
a) Youth                                  b) Magic
c) Eternal lines of poetry         d) A painting
Answer: c) Eternal lines of poetry

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 Short Answer Questions

Q1. Why does the poet say the beloved is “more lovely and more temperate” than a summer’s day?

Answer:
The poet says this because summer can be extreme — it can have rough winds and very hot days. It also passes too quickly. By contrast, the beloved’s beauty is calm, balanced, and perfect. The beloved does not have the flaws of summer. This comparison shows that the poet values inner beauty and constancy over temporary seasonal charm.

 

Q2. How does Shakespeare present the idea of immortality in “Sonnet 18”?

Answer:
Shakespeare presents immortality through poetry. He says that the beloved’s beauty will never fade because it will live forever in the “eternal lines” of his verse. Death cannot take the beloved away because art has the power to preserve memory. As long as people read the poem, the beloved will remain alive in the minds of readers.

 

Q3. What role does nature play in the sonnet?

Answer:
Nature, represented by summer, shows the temporary nature of physical beauty. Summer can be too hot, too windy, and it always ends. This symbolizes how beauty in life fades with time. However, the poet contrasts this with the permanence of art, showing that poetry can capture and preserve beauty beyond the limits of nature.

  

5. To Celia [Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes – Ben Jonson

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About the Poet

·         Ben Jonson (1572–1637) was one of the most important poets and dramatists of the Elizabethan and Jacobean age.

·         He was known for his satirical plays, lyrical poetry, and his influence on English literature.

·         Jonson’s poetry often blends wit, grace, and emotional depth.

·         “To Celia” is a famous love lyric that expresses deep romantic admiration without using material gifts.

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Text of the Poem

Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I’ll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee,
As giving it a hope that there
It could not withered be.
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
And sent’st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee.

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Summary

The poet tells Celia to drink to him only with her eyes, and he will return the pledge with his eyes. If she leaves only a kiss in a cup, he will be satisfied without needing wine. The thirst he feels comes from his soul, and it can only be quenched by something divine.
Even if he could drink the nectar of the god Jove, he would not exchange it for Celia’s love.

He once sent her a wreath of roses. It was not only to honour her but also in the hope that it would stay fresh in her presence. She breathed on it and returned it to him. Since then, the wreath has seemed to grow and smell sweet — not from its own nature, but from her essence.

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Themes

1. Spiritual Love

The poem focuses on love that goes beyond physical desire. The poet values emotional and spiritual connection over material pleasures.

2. Immortality through Love

The rose wreath symbolizes how love can make beauty last beyond its natural life.  elia’s touch seems to give it eternal freshness.

3. Rejection of Materialism
   The poet rejects wine and other earthly pleasures, showing that true love is more satisfying than physical luxuries.
4. Idealization of the Beloved
   Celia is presented almost as a goddess whose breath can give life and fragrance to flowers.

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MCQs

Q1. Who is the poet of “To Celia”?
a) William Shakespeare                       b) Edmund Spenser
c) Ben Jonson                                      d) Sir Thomas Wyatt
Answer: c) Ben Jonson

Q2. What does the poet ask Celia to “drink” with?
a) Her hands                            b) Her lips
c) Her eyes                              d) Her heart
Answer: c) Her eyes

Q3. What divine drink does the poet mention?
a) Ambrosia                             b) Nectar of Jove
c) Holy water                          d) Spring water
Answer: b) Nectar of Jove

Q4. What gift does the poet send to Celia?
a) A golden cup                      b) A rosy wreath
c) A bottle of wine                  d) A letter
Answer: b) A rosy wreath

Q5. Why does the wreath smell sweet after Celia returns it?
a) It is freshly made                            b) Celia breathed on it
c) It has magical flowers                     d) The poet sprayed perfume
Answer: b) Celia breathed on it

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Short Answer Questions

Q1. What does the poet mean by “Drink to me only with thine eyes”?

Answer:
The poet is asking Celia to express her love through a simple and pure gesture — a look with her eyes. He does not need wine or material things to feel happy. A loving gaze is more satisfying to him than any physical pleasure. This shows his preference for emotional and spiritual love over physical indulgence.

 

Q2. How does the poet use the rosy wreath as a symbol?

Answer:
The poet sends Celia a wreath of roses, hoping it will remain fresh in her presence.
When Celia breathes on it and returns it, the poet imagines it has taken her fragrance and life.
The wreath becomes a symbol of how her love can make things immortal and beautiful.
It shows the idealization of the beloved and the power of affection to transform ordinary objects.

 

Q3. What is the poet’s attitude toward earthly pleasures?

Answer:
The poet rejects wine and even the mythical nectar of Jove in favour of Celia’s love.
He believes that no physical pleasure can equal the joy of spiritual connection.
This shows that his feelings for Celia are pure, idealistic, and above material desires.
It also reflects the Elizabethan tradition of courtly love, where love is noble and uplifting.

 

Unit 3 Drama/ Play

AS YOU LIKE IT

by

William Shakespeare

 

 

Life of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and baptized on April 26, 1564. Little is known about his early life, but he likely attended grammar school, where he studied Latin literature and classics.

In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway, and they had three children—Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. By the early 1590s, Shakespeare had moved to London and established himself as an actor and playwright. He became part-owner of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later the King’s Men) and wrote around 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems.

His works, including tragedies like Hamlet, comedies like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and histories like Henry V, have had a profound influence on literature and theatre worldwide. He returned to Stratford in his later years and died there on April 23, 1616.

 

Works of William Shakespeare:

Plays:

History Plays:

1. Titus Andronicus (1587, pub. in 1594) – Political History

2. Henry VI (1588-91) – Historical play in three parts

3. King John (1595) – Political History

4. Richard III (1596) – Political History

5. Richard II (1597) – Full Title: The Tragedy of King Richard II

6. Henry IV (two parts: 1596 & 1597) – Political History

7. Henry V (1599) – Political History

8. Henry VIII (1612-13) - Political History (Heterogeneous History)

Tragedies:

1. Julius Caesar (1599) – Roman Tragedy

2. Hamlet (1599-1601) – Dark or Great Tragedy

3. Romeo and Juliet (1594-95) – Dark or Great Tragedy

4. Othello (1604) – Dark or Great Tragedy

5. Timon of Athens (1604) – Roman Tragedy

6. King Lear (1605) – Dark or Great Tragedy

7. Macbeth (1606) – Dark or Great Tragedy

8. Anthony and Cleopatra (1606-07) – Roman Tragedy

9. Coriolanus (1605-08) – Roman Tragedy

Comedies:

1. Two Gentlemen of Verona (1587) – Early Comedy

2. The Taming of the Shrew (1588) – Romantic Comedy

3. The Comedy of Errors (1589-94) – Early Comedy

4. Love’s Labour’s Lost (1593-94) – Early Comedy

5. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595-96) – Romantic Comedy

6. The Merchant of Venice (1596-97) – Romantic Comedy

7. The Merry Wives of Windsor (1597) – Romantic Comedy

8. Much Ado About Nothing (1598-99) – Problem Comedy

9. As You Like It (1599-1600) – Romantic Comedy

10. Twelfth Night (1601) – Romantic Comedy

11. Troilus and Cressida (1602) – Dark Comedy

12. All’s Well That Ends Well (1603) – Problem Comedy or Dark Comedy

13. Measure for Measure (1604) – Problem Comedy or Dark Comedy

Tragi-Comedies:

1. Pericles (1607-08) – Heterogeneous Comedy or Dramatic Romance

2. The Winter’s Tale (1609-10) – Heterogeneous Comedy or Dramatic Romance

3. Cymbeline (1610-11) – Heterogeneous Comedy or Dramatic Romance

4. The Tempest (1610-11) – Heterogeneous Comedy or Dramatic Romance

Introduction to the Play

As You Like It is a romantic comedy that belongs to the second phase of Shakespearean dramatic career. It is unanimously accepted as the best romantic comedy by the dramatist. The play As You Like It was written and performed about 1598–1600 and first published in the First Folio of 1623. The setting of the play is romantic. Shakespeare Comedy is based on the play Rosalynde (1590), a prose romance by Thomas Lodge.

The play has two main settings: the court that Duke Frederick has usurped from his brother, the rightful duke (known as Duke Senior), and the Forest of Arden, where the Duke and his followers (including the disgruntled Jaques) are living in exile. Rosalind, the Duke’s daughter, is allowed to stay at court for the sake of Celia the daughter of Duke Fredrick. She falls in love with Orlando. Orlando is deprived of education and good upbringing by his elder brother Oliver. Oliver plans to murder Orlando. So he flees to the Forest of Arden with his faithful old servant Adam. Soon Rosalind is banished too, merely for being the daughter of the Duke Senior. She also flees to Arden accompanied by her cousin Celia and the fool Touchstone. Rosalind disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede and Celia as a shepherdess Aliena. Rosalind encounters Orlando who is desperately in love with Rosalind. Ganymede promises to cure him of his lovesickness by pretending to be that very Rosalind. The Duke Fredrick confiscates all the belongings of Oliver. Oliver, too comes to Forest of Arden Orlando, where Orlando saves him from a hungry lioness and a snake. Oliver feels ashamed for his evil behaviour. He decides to repent. He then falls in love with Celia. In the last act Rosalind reveals her true identity and marriage ceremony of the four pairs take place. At that time a messenger Jaques middle brother of Orlando and Oliver arrives with the news of Frederick’s repentance. William, Audrey, Silvius, and Phebe the inhabitants of the forest and an abundance of songs complement the play. The play is considered to be one of Shakespeare’s great comedies.

 

List of Characters:

1. Orlando

Orlando, hero of the comedy is the youngest son of Sir Rowland De Boys, courageous, gentle in nature, modest and tender, bears the knightly qualities, falls in love with Rosalind.

2. Rosalind

Rosalind, the daughter of Duke Senior Fredrick, cousin of Celia is the heroine of the play. One of Shakespeare’s most delightful heroines, independent minded, strong-willed, good- hearted, and terribly clever, charmingly beautiful lady, innate resourceful under adverse condition, falls in love with Orlando

3. Oliver

Eldest son of Sir Rowland De Boys, brother of Orlando, villain of the play, repents at last and marries Celia.

 

4. Duke Frederick

Duke Fredrick is the usurper, Celia's father, Rosalind’s uncle, and Duke Senior's younger brother. He is a selfish, whimsical and hot- tempered person, repents in the end and restores all estates and possessions to the rightful duke and other owners and goes with a sage to lead the life of a hermit.

5. Amiens

A lord attending the banished Duke. A man of sweet voice and loves singing. Songs given to him are good and simple but meaningful.

6. Jaques

A lord attending the banished Duke, a very melancholy fellow, follows the banished Duke into the Forest of Arden. He is the critic of the Duke, calls the Duke a greater usurper, who has usurped the land that belongs to the wild beasts, the only person who does not return to the civilized life.

7. Adam

A servant to Oliver, he leaves his cruel master to follow Orlando into exile, offers all his savings to Orlando, an example of faithfulness in the world of intrigues and selfishness.

8. Touchstone

A fool or court jester in Duke Frederick's court, accompanies Celia and Rosalind to the Forest of Arden, more than the average fool, exposes the follies of life through his satirical wit, courts Audrey and in the end is happily married to her.

9. Corin

An old, gentle shepherd and a native of the forest of Arden, helps Rosalind and others to buy the pastoral land for shelter.

10. Silvius

A shepherd, his job is not to tend the flocks, but to be livestock, adores Phebe and in the end takes her as his wife.

11. Celia

Daughter of Duke Frederick and niece of Duke Senior, sister and inseparable friend of Rosalind, loyal kind, sympathetic and womanliness like Rosalind, practical enough to make provisions for their journey to the forest, quite as susceptible to love, e quickly falls in love with the reformed Oliver and marries him in the end.

12. Phebe

Phebe a vain, coquettish shepherdess, fails to understand true love of Silvius, audacious enough to fall in love with Ganymede.

13. Audrey

A country wench who keeps goats. She is unlikely object of Touchstone's passion. Along with the other loving pairs, they are happily married in the end.

 

 

Act wise detailed Summary

ACT-I

SCENE I

The opening scene introduces some characters, including the hero Orlando. It has been told that Sir Rowland de Boys have three sons Oliver, Jacques and Orlando. Orlando complains to his faithful old servant, Adam that Jacques has been sent by Oliver to study at a university and he is treated even worse than a beast of burden. Oliver appears on the stage. As Oliver is haughty and rough-tonged a hot quarrel take place between the two, Adam tries to reconcile the two brothers. Orlando leaves the stage only when Oliver unwillingly promises to give him his legal share of patrimony. As soon as they depart a court wrestler, Charles arrives into the scene. Charles tells Oliver that Orlando has challenged him to fight before the Duke and that he does not wish to injure Orlando but he will be forced to do if Orlando persists in his challenge. In fact Oliver wishes to harm his brother for his rebellious attitude. So to get rid of Oliver he cleverly prejudices Charles’s mind against Orlando and advises him to use foul means to destroy Orlando. Charles promises the same to Oliver and goes away.

 

SCENE II

Rosalind and Celia talk on the topics such as love and fortune. The court jester Touchstone joins them. He lightens the serious tone of their conversation. Le Beau informs them about the wrestling match in the court. He also describes the pathetic scene of how an old man has lost three sons who had come to challenge the Duke’s wrestler. Rosalind and Celia accompany Le Beau to watch the wrestling match. Both the ladies and the Duke try to dissuade Orlando from his decision to fight with Charles. But Orlando doesn’t pay heed to their advice. He fights with Charles and wins the match. As Sir Rowland is the enemy of the Duke, he is not happy with Orlando’s Victory. Rosalind falls in love with Orlando and gifts him her necklace as a token of love. The duke is not only displeased by Orlando but by Rosalind also.

 

SCENE III

Rosalind talks with Celia about her love for Orlando. At that time the Duke comes and declares that Rosalind is no more wanted in the court and she is banished. This is a great shock to both the sisters. They plan to leave the court without informing anyone. They plan to go disguised as a young hunter and his sister. They also take Touchstone along with them for his entertaining companionship. They feel that touchstone would be of immense help to them in their journey to the Forest of Arden.

 

ACT-II

SCENE-I

This scene introduces us to the Forest of Arden. The exiled Duke has taken shelter in this forest. He is attended by his followers. The scene describes the ideal, poetic and arcadian life which this Duke is leading in the refreshing Nature. The Duke praises the overwhelming Nature which is free from the cruelty of courtly life. He gives an inspiring and interesting talk to his followers. One of the followers named Jaques is a melancholy fellow. He is disgusted by the rustic life. The scene closes with the Duke proceeding to find out Jaques.

 

SCENE-II

The Duke comes to know that Celia has also run away with Rosalind and Touchstone. He is angry and suspects that Oliver must be knowing where they have gone for, he is told that Orlando was praised by the two girls. The Duke is informed that Orlando has accompanied them. So, he sends a call to Oliver to enquire about the whereabouts of his brother Orlando.

 

SCENE-III

In this scene, Adam the old servant of Orlando advises him to leave the house in order to save his life because he has come to know that Oliver is planning to burn the lodge where Orlando sleeps. Adam offers all his money to help his young master and also accompanies him. The two of them set off from the court in order to escape the evil intentions of treacherous Oliver.

 

SCENE- IV

In this scene Rosalind, Celia and Touchstone reach the Forest of Arden. They are disguised but completely exhausted and depressed due to the journey through the rough and thorny paths of the forest. However Touchstone tries to relieve their physical fatigue by his wit and delightful fancy. On the way they meet two shepherds, Corin and Silvius. They come to know that Silvius is in madly in love with a shepherdess called Phebe. In the meantime Celia gets weak and wants some food and rest. Sivius’s plight reminds Rosalind of her own passion for Orlando. Touchstone as usual makes fun of the passionate feeling of Silvius. Rosalind asks Touchstone to enquire if they could get food for money. Corin informs that his master is a miserly fellow and has decided to sell away his estate. Rosalind and Celia decide to buy the place. They ask Corin to help them to do this work.

 

SCENE-V

This scene opens in the other part of the Forest of Arden where Jacques is seen
in melancholy mood. Amiens is singing the praises of pastoral life. He sings of the
value of quiet carefree life of the forest. Such idyllic life is available for anyone who
has given his ambition and loves the company of Nature. Jacques does not agree with
Amiens. He feels sad over these songs. Jacques adds a stanza of his own. In that he
calls a man, who leaves wealth and ease and embraces hardship is an ass. In an
indirect attack on the Duke he calls him a fool. Amiens informs him that the Duke
wishes to see him but he refuses to meet him. Amiens leaves him to this melancholy
and goes to announce that the feast is ready.

 

SCENE-VI

Orlando and Adam are in the Forest of Arden. Old Adam is too tired to walk a step further. He requests Orlando to go ahead, leaving him where he is to die. Orlando loves his servant. He carries Adam to a shade under a tree, places him there and leaves in search of food. He feels that to provide food and rest to Adam is his responsibility.

 

SCENE-VII

The Duke is looking for Jaques for they have not met for some time. A lord informs him that Jaques was at the very place a few minutes ago. He tells how he was pleased by a song. The Duke is surprised to know that Jaques was pleased and smiling. In the meantime Jacques meets the Duke. Jacques is in hilarious mood in spite of his usual gloom and melancholy, for he has met a fool. He loves the freedom of the fool. He asks to provide him a motley coat as he proposes to use his satire against anybody as a clown. He hopes to reform the world by his satiric comments. The Duke is doubtful of his ability to reform the world. But before he could say so clearly, a rude man enters with a drawn sword in his hand. This rude person is Orlando. He shouts that no one should touch food until the hungry, needy are fed. The Duke agrees to Orlando’s wish. He is surprised by this civility; He begs the Duke’s pardon for his rudeness and admits that mistake was due to the experiences in the past days, which made him feel that the world is without any goodness, and gentleness. Here Jaques moralizes on life by singing a song. Orlando is invited to join them. He tells them of Adam his old servant who would die if gets no food. The Duke asks Orlando to bring Adam immediately. Orlando returns carrying Adam. The Duke welcomes them and invites them to join the food. To make the atmosphere easy the Duke requests Amiens for a song. Amiens sings a song comparing Man and Nature.

  

ACT-III
SCENE-I

Oliver is in front of Duke Fredrick. Fredrick asks him to find out his brother
Orlando and bring him to the Court alive or dead. He gives him a period of one year.
Till then all the land and property of Oliver is to be seized and if he fails, he must
never return to the Dukedom. In fact Duke Fredrick would have executed Oliver for
letting his brother escape but as he is a man of kind and gentle heart, he has spared
his life.

SCENE-II

At the beginning of the scene Orlando is found pasting verses on trees and
carving the name of Rosalind on the tree-trunks. All the poems, of course, are love
poems and they are addressed to his beloved Rosalind. They praise her beauty, her
bearing, her qualities her speaking, her voice etc. As Orlando leaves, Touchstone
enters with Corin. Corin wants to know how touchstone liked the life of Shepherds.
Touchstone confuses him by telling him at one and same time how it is good and
how it is bad. Corin admits that his simple wit cannot face the wit of a court -man.
Touchstone asks him if he was ever in the court. When Corin says no, Touchstone
remarks that no court life means no education in manners. So Corin’s manners ought
to be wicked.

Rosalind appears there with a paper in hand. She reads aloud one of the poems
written by Orlando. Touchstone finds it so says that he can go on like that endlessly.
He even gives a specimen of his instant poetry. Celia comes there from other side.
She has another poem addressed to Rosalind. Rosalind calls it an ordinary sermon.

She wants to talk in privacy and sends Touchstone and Corin away. Celia has seen
the man pinning those verses on trees. She tells Rosalind that the man had a chain
around his neck which Rosalind used to wear. Rosalind blushes but pretends that she
does not understand Celia’s words. She wants her to name him, and on hearing
Orlando’s name finds herself in a tight spot. There is her lover and surely he loves
her. But how can she meet him as Rosalind with her male attire? Jacques and
Orlando appear there. Both of them dislike each other but exchange greetings out of
civility. Actually Jacques is looking for a fool. Orlando asks him to look for a fool in
a pool.

Rosalind and Celia come forward from behind a big tree when Jacques departs.
Rosalind is highly pleased on seeing Orlando. But being in disguise that is as
Ganymede she cannot talk to him as a lover. She asks what time of the day it is and
he replies there is no clock in the forest. Rosalind replies that it means there is no
lover in the forest. Orlando claims that he is a lover and the poems are his writing.
Rosalind refuses to believe him for she finds no signs of a lover in Orlando. When
asked what those signs are, she explains that lean cheek, pale eyes, sulky appearance,
untidiness in dress and make up are the signs of a man in love. She says that love is
madness that needs psychological cure. She adds that if he is ill with love, she can
cure him by administering a remedy. She asks him to imagine that Ganymede
(disguised Rosalind) is his Rosalind and come to woo her every day. Orlando is
not interested in her cures. But agrees to the proposal because by wooing Ganymede
as his Rosalind he would keep her memory fresh and alive till they actually meet.

SCENE-III

Touchstone’s love for Audrey, an ignorant rustic girl has ripened fast and he is
determined to marry her. He invites Sir Oliver Martext, the priest of the next village,
to meet him here. Till the priest arrives Touchstone spends some time speaking with
Audrey. But his witty talk is beyond the capacity of Audrey’s understanding.
Touchstone says that God has made her poetical. She doesn’t understand “what is
Poetical”? Audrey hates dishonesty, she is not fair, and she wishes God should at
least make her chaste, honest and faithful. Jacques, who hears the conversation from
behind a tree, enjoys it. Sir Martext arrives there. Touchstone wants him to marry
them under a tree. Martext has no objection. He does not insist on going to church.
But he insists that he would not marry them, if there is none to give the girl Audrey
away. Touchstone refuses to take her as a gift and Martext would not proceed. Now Jacques comes forward and says that he would give away Audrey. But he insists that
they must be married in a church. Otherwise, it would not be a true marriage.
Touchstone postpones his marriage and sends Martext away.

 

SCENE IV

Rosalind disguised as Ganymede and Orlando decide to meet to practise wooing
but Orlando fails to come. She is upset that Orlando did not come to meet
with Ganymede. She becomes nervous and wants desperately to weep. Rosalind
compares Orlando’s hair to Judas who betrayed Christ. Celia says that Orlando’s hair
is browner than Judas’s hair. Rosalind tries to convince herself that her lover is not a
traitor. Corin enters and interrupts the women’s conversation. He explains that the
young shepherd, Silvius, whose complaints about the tribulations of love Rosalind
and Celia witnessed earlier, has decided to woo and win Phoebe. Corin invites the
women to see how a hopeless lover is trying to win over the love of scornful
shepherdess Phebe. But he is insulted for that. Rosalind determines to do something
more than to only watch. She plans to intervene in the affair.

SCENE-V

Silvius -Phebe dialogue is nothing but torture to Silvius. Each of her sentence,
addressed to him, has a sting. Silvius begs not to hate him and says that the hangman
also begs the pardon of a prisoner to be executed and then hangs him. Phebe is very
rude towards him. All this becomes unbearable not to Silvius but to Rosalind.
Rosalind disguised as Ganymede comes forward and takes Phebe to task for treating
Silvius so heartlessly. She advises Phebe to marry Sivius whose love is very true and
she will never get a man better than Silvius. Rosalind becomes aware that Phebe has
fallen in love with Ganymede her male disguise. So, she leaves warning Phebe to
stop treating Silvius with disdain. After Rosalind has gone away Phebe sympathizes
with Silvius, speaks in gentle words and requests him to take her taunting letter to the
proud youth that is Ganymede. Silvius is eager to carry the letter for Phebe. But Phebe warns him not to expect any reward for his service.

 

ACT-IV
SCENE-I

Jacques is drawn by Rosalind’s wit and looks. He wants to make friendship with
her. But Rosalind is not interested because Jacques is a melancholy fellow. Jacquesexplains that his melancholy is effect of his experiences in life and his travelling.
Rosalind is surprised to know that travel has made Jacques melancholy.
Orlando comes there and on seeing him Jacques takes leave of Rosalind.
Rosalind pretends to be angry with Orlando for being late. She refuses to talk to him.
He asks her to forgive him and promises to be punctual. At first he says he is a little
late. Rosalind retorts that it means he does not love his Rosalind. According to her a
lover he or she awaits eagerly to meet the other and here Orlando is late by two hours
and he is without remorse for that. Rosalind that is disguised Ganymede asks him to
woo her. He wants to begin wooing by a kiss. But Rosalind does not allow him to do
so. She tells him to talk about love and when his wooing is exhausted, she may allow
him to kiss her.

Here Orlando expresses his genuine love for Rosalind and says that he would
die if Rosalind rejects his love. After this talk Orlando leaves Rosalind as he has to
attend the Duke. He promises to meet in two hours.

SCENE-II

The Duke and his followers have hunted down a deer. They are in a mood to
enjoy the feast. Jacques enquires who killed the deer. One of the Lord proudly
comes forward but Jacques suggests in a sarcastic manner that the lord should be
presented before the Duke. But the Duke like Victorious Roman General, the horns
of the deer placed on his head in his honour. No one gives importance to his words.
He sings a song related to the incident of the killing of the deer.

SCENE-III

In spite of Rosalind’s warning Oralndo is late. Rosalind is worried and Celia
gets a chance to tease her. At that Silvius arrives with a letter from Phebe for
Ganymede. It is a love letter. Silvius is unaware of the content. Rosalind feels pity
for Silvius. She reads Phebe’s letter in such a way that it would injure Silvius the
least. Silvius gets the meaning and gets ready to accept his fate. In reply Rosalind
send s back a clear message to Phebe to accept the love of Silvius.
As Silvius leaves Oliver arrives on the scene. He is total stranger for Rosalind
and Celia. But he enquires where Ganymede and Aliena live. He has come as a
messenger of Orlando with a message for Ganymede whom he calls Rosalind. In fact
he himself is the cause of Orlando’s delay. Oliver had Orlando’s handkerchief
soaked in blood. Rosalind demands an explanation of it. Oliver narrates the event.
Orlando left Ganymede with a promise to return in two hours. On his way to the
Duke he saw a man in rags sleeping under a tree, His hair and beard were wildly
grown. Orlando noticed that a serpent had coiled around the neck of the sleeping
man. His hood was raised to sting the man. But on seeing Orlando the snake uncoiled
itself and disappeared into the thick bushes. Behind the bushes was a hungry lion
ready to pounce on the man. Orlando saw the danger and thought of saving the man.
But when he looked at him closely he found that the man was his brother Oliver. He
remembered his evil plans. So he decided not to save Oliver. But he could not resist
his good instinct to save a man in danger. Orlando drew his sword and attacked the
lioness. The fight woke Oliver. Oliver was shocked to see that Orlando had saved
him though he had been cruel towards him. Orlando repented his behavior and
begged pardon of Orlando. Both of them went to see the Duke. The Duke was
pleased at Orlando’s noble act. After that they went to the cave. Orlando fainted due
to the blood Loss. Oliver brought him back to senses. Orlando asked him to carry the
blood-soaked handkerchief to Rosalind and explain the cause of his failure to keep
the promise.

Rosalind faints at the sight of blood handkerchief. Oliver says that some people
cannot tolerate the sight of blood. When Rosalind recovers, she looks pale. But she
does not admit that she had fainted. She wants Oliver to tell Orlando how she acted
wonderfully. But Celia knows the truth.

Celia has heard about Oliver. She knows him as an evil person, she asks him if
he is that same hateful man. Oliver admits that he is same man who had evil
intentions towards his own brother. But his brothers good act has changed him and
he has realized the value of brotherly love. Oliver and Celia help Rosalind to go in
the house. The effect of this meet is that Celia falls in love with Oliver at first sight.
Oliver too likes Celia.

 

ACT- V

SCENE-I

Audrey is eager to get married with Touchstone and become a lady of the court.
She feels that Touchstone has lost the chance by sending Martext away. According to
her he was a good priest. But Touchstone disagrees and calls him a vile man. In the meantime, Touchstone comes to know about a shepherd named William who claims
to marry Audrey. But Audrey is not interested in him. Coincidently William appears
there and Touchstone baffles him by number of questions and argument. Finally
Touchstone threatens to kill him if he does not give up the thought of Audrey.
William leaves hastily. Touchstone and Audrey decide to get married the next
morning.

SCENE-II

Oliver tells Orlando that he and Alena have fallen in love with each other at the
first sight. He wishes to get married the next morning. Oliver also tells Orlando about
his decision to hand over all the belongings to Orlando and live a life of a shepherd
in the forest with Aliena. Orlando congratulates his brother for his success in love
and promises to make necessary preparations for the marriage and to bring the Duke
for the ceremony. But he also feels bad of his own fate.
Orlando comes to meet Ganymede to continue his task of wooing Rosalind. He
tells Rosalind that he is fed up with this fake love drama and yearns to meet real
Rosalind. assumes the role of a skilled magician. She tells Orlando that she knows
little magic which she had learned while working as an assistant of a real magician. If
he really loves Roslind and has faith in her skill, she will fulfill his wish. She can
bring real Rosalind to the forest and they can get married the next day.
Phebe and Silvius appear on the scene. Phebe is angry as Ganymede had
disclosed her letter to Silvius. She retorts Phebe for not accepting the true love of
Silvius. Phebe questions Silvius if he knows what is true love. Now Silvius declares
his passion for Phebe, Phebe for Ganymede, Orlando for Rosalind and Rosalind for
no woman. Finally Rosalind promises to all that each will be satisfied tomorrow.
Orlando will get Rosalind Silvius would get his wish, Phebe marries Ganymede, if
Ganymede marries any woman and if Phebe would not marry Ganymede , she would
have Silvius as her man.

SCENE-III

As Touchstone and Audrey think of their marriage next day and as Audrey sees
herself as the Court lady, two page-boys of the Duke arrive there. Touchstone
welcomes them. They sit on his sides and straight away sing a song. Instead of
admiring it, Touchstone finds faults with it and calls it out of tune and devoid as
matter. He sends them away without rewarding for their trouble.

SCENE IV

Rosalind reminds the Duke, that is her father of his promise, that if she
(Ganymede) succeeds in bringing his daughter to the Forest of Arden, he would give
her to Orlando. She also reminds Orlando to accept his Rosalind, if she really comes
there. Turning to Phebe she says that she has promised to marry Ganymede and in
case she refuses to do so, she would marry Silvius. All agree to abide by their
promises and Rosalind leaves with Celia.

At that very moment Touchstone arrives there with Audrey. The sight of
Touchstone makes Jaques happy and he introduces the fool to the Duke who has
been a courtier. Touchstone offers to prove that he has seen court. He tells the Duke
that he has danced as a courtier, complemented a lady, has been crafty with his
friend, pleasant with his enemy, ruined three tailors, had four quarrels and has
returned from the brink of the fifth. Touchstone says that the seventh cause stopped
him from the fifth quarrel. Touchstone explains the six causes, they are: polite reply,
mild joke, rude reply, sharp rebuke, provoking challenge, lie conditional, Lie direct.
The seventh cause is to challenge for duel. Touchstone avoided it. Jaques again
appeal to the Duke to take the fool.

Now the marriage time has come. Hymen, the god of marriage, the leads in
Rosalind (now in her normal woman's costume) and Celia (now as Celia without her
disguise). The Duke recognizes his daughter and welcomes her. He also welcomes
his niece Celia. Phebe also to learns that the person she fell in love with was not boy
but a disguised girl. She bids farewell to her love as she cannot marry a girl and
accepts Silvius with a promise to love him. Four pairs of lovers are married in the
forest that day by Hymen, who blesses them. The Duke blesses them too and orders
for entertainment, where all the newly married couples would dance and sing.
Hymen joins the joy by singing a song of blessings to all.
In addition to this joy, a stranger comes there with a message from Duke
Frederick. He introduces himself as Jaques, the second son of Sir Rowland de Boys.
That means he is the brother of Orlando Oliver and unknowingly but coincidently he
has brought a wonderful present for his married brothers.

His message is thus: Duke Frederick became uneasy and angry by the fact that
all his important and valuable men were leaving the court and taking shelter in the
Forest of Arden, where his deposed brother lived a contented life. So he proposed to
invade the forest, capture the senior Duke and put him to death. He collected a big
army and started for Arden. When he reached the outskirts of the forest, he met a
religious man. The discussions with the sage and the advice he gave changed his
mind. From a cruel, selfish tyrant he was converted into a selfless, loving gentleman.
He decided to give up powers and return the Dukedom to his brother from whom he
had usurped it. He also has returned all the properties to the Lords, who accepted
wiling banishment with the Duke. He has decided to stay with the sage and lead the
remaining life in seclusion.

That was really a good news to all. All of them except melancholy Jaques accept
it whole-heartedly. Jaques would not return to the court-life. He would rather seek
Frederick and live with him in the cave vacated by the Senior Duke.

 

Characters in the Play:

1. Orlando

Orlando is the hero of the comedy. He is the youngest son of Sir Rowland De Boys. He is modest and tender. Like his father he too bears the knightly qualities. He is gentle and humble in nature. Orlando is not boastful of his virtues and magnanimity. Orlando's humble nature and nobility is seen throughout the play. When Adam offers him his savings, he is overwhelmed and politely accepts the same. In the same way when his brother ill-treats him and forces him to flee for his life, he does not undertake any means of vengeance and retribution against his brother. This is not because he is timid or coward, but because he is magnanimous and virtuous in his ways. His misfortunes also do not lead him to seek unfair ways for his livelihood. His spirit is too noble and good to do so. When Adam asks him not to stay any longer under the roof of his house, he goes fearlessly to the dense and dangerous forest to seek an adventurous life. The scene where he finds his brother in mortal danger, instead of avenging his brother for the injustice, he proceeds to save the life of his brother by fighting with the angry lioness and killing it. Orlando is too noble to remain irresponsive in such a situation. His nature to risk his own life reflects his innate nobility.

He is bold and courageous. Orlando is a brave and bold youth. In all situations, he shows an exemplary courage and fortitude. He shows that he is capable of overthrowing mighty court-wrestler Charles. He fearlessly challenges the banished Duke at the banquet in the forest of Arden for the sake of dying Adam. Instead of stooping to meanness, he prefers a life of adventures. He loves Rosalind. As a lover, too, Orlando is lovable. His love for Rosalind is spontaneous, firm and faithful. It is as a lover that Orlando impresses us with his steadfastness and loyalty to his mistress. His passion for Rosalind is pure and powerful. It is this which drives him seeking after her like a madman in the Forest of Arden. He is so thoroughly saturated with the sentiment of true love that he goes on doing things which appear insane and whimsical. Orlando is true lover. His love for Rosalind is spontaneous, firm and faithful. His passion for Rosalind is pure and powerful. His passion drives him like a madman to seek Rosalind in the Forest of Arden. His steadfastness and loyalty in love makes him do many absurd things. His writing verses and cutting words on the barks of trees reveal the state of his mind and his genuine passion.

Thus Orlando the hero of As You Like It, the most popular of Shakespeare's heroes has many more qualities than those of a popular lover. He is such a piece of young manhood that is brave, gentle, modest and magnanimous.

 

2. Rosalind

Rosalind, the daughter of Duke Senior Fedrick and cousin of Celia is the heroine of the play. She is considered as one of Shakespeare’s most delightful heroines. She is independent minded, strong-willed, good-hearted, and terribly clever She is charmingly beautiful lady. The beauty and grace of her personality attracts everyone. So Orlando falls in love with her at the first sight. Rosalind’s love for Orlando is also firm and faithful. When Orlando defeats the court wrestler Charles she gifts him her necklace as a token of love.

Innate resourcefulness under adverse condition is a praise worthy trait found in Rosalind. As soon as she is banished by her uncle, she decides to go the Forest of Arden. She disguises herself as Ganymede—a handsome young man—her sister Celia as Aliena and plans to take the court fool Touchstone along with them for entertainment. In the forest with the help of Corin she manages to buy the pastoral land. Rosalind is witty and humorous. Her sense of humour is exhibited when she talks with Orlando. She takes the advantage of the Orlando’s ignorance for the purpose of her own enjoyment of the situation. Rosalind uses her wit and humour with perfect mastery and subtlety. She offers herself as a tutor in the ways of love to her beloved Orlando, Rosalind’s talents and charms are on full display. Of all the characters in the play only Rosalind is fully aware of the foolishness and the delights of romantic love. She teaches those around her to think, feel, and love better than they have previously. She is the leader of the plot and finally the resolution of the lovers is brought about through her.

 

3. Oliver

Oliver in As You Like It has been portrayed as a villain, He is such mean fellow who plots against the life of his own brother. He is a coward, envious, bragging and intriguing. No human sentiment, no fraternal feeling stands in the way of his villainy. Villainy is deep-rooted in his temperament. He uses his intelligence for evil purpose. He is jealous of Orlando’s popularity and goodness. So plots and intrigues to take the life of his brother, Orlando. He is cunning at the same time. Instead of dissuading Orlando from the challenge to fight with Charles, he instigates Charles to use foul means to crush Orlando in order to grab his share of the paternal estate. Oliver is a great hypocrite. But he has to pay for his immoral behaviour. His estate has been confiscated by the officers of the Duke. He is forced to go in exile. While wandering in the forest, poverty and hunger makes him realize the insecurity of life. When Orlando saves his life from the hungry lioness, he feels ashamed for his behaviour. As repentance for his wrong doings he hands over all the Parental estate to Orlando and plans to live a simple life of a shepherd in the forest of Arden. At the end of the play he reconciles with Orlando, and marries Celia. Thus, it is seen that Oliver's villainy carries him to a point where it brings a moral shock from which he survives as a reformed character. Through his character it is exemplified that repentance and forgiveness are better than vengeance and retribution.

 

Major Themes

1. Romantic Comedy

Romantic Comedy as part of dramatic literature flourished and developed during the Elizabethan period. It is combination of the romantic and comic elements. The romantic elements delight, thrill, and appeal the heart whereas the comic elements make the audience laugh. Romantic Comedy also appeals the imagination. It is emotion-based providing a sense of humour. Generally, this type of drama ends on a happy note uniting the couples.

As You Like It is Shakespeare’s happiest comedy. Characteristically, it is a romantic comedy. In the play, no one suffers intensely, it has no tragic element, it is full of comic and lively spirit. Characters like Touchstone and Jaques without any indirect intention provide the best of comic elements to the play. The elements of romance and comedy have been blended together by Shakespeare. The only feature common between them is love. Love reigns supreme in the comedies of Shakespeare.

The basic recognition underlying Shakespeare’s golden comedies is love that is transformed into the multiple marriages at the end. The love between Rosalind and Orlando is real and genuine. There are four couples in love in the play. A suitable background and congenial atmosphere is created in the play for the development of the love. As there are no obstacles in the Forest of Arden the love runs smooth. Orlando writes poems on the bark of trees in praise of his sweetheart, Rosalind, and hangs them on the trees. And Rosalind teaches him how to woo. More over music being the food of love, there are so many lovely lyrics sung by Amiens. So, there is everything romantic in a play. There is love story, the distance of time and space, a heroine and a hero, and a fool, and magic atmosphere and songs.

The world of Romantic Comedy is a lovelier world of ideal atmosphere different from the actual world. In As You Like the romantic elements transport us to a land of ideal habitation. The Forest of Arden creates an atmosphere suitable for love and romance. It is the place where the love between Rosalind and Orlando, Oliver and Celia, Touchstone and Audrey, prosper. As in a Romantic Comedy, all the couples are happily married life. The separated lovers are united at the end of the play. All the loose threads are finally connected in the romantic bosom of the Forest of Arden. In this way, As You Like It can be called a romantic comedy.

 

2. Pastoral Play

A Pastoral drama or poem is a literary genre which deals with the characters belong to rustic life, preferably life of shepherds and shepherdess who dwell in the idyllic surroundings and lead a happy and peaceful life. The Forest of Arden forms the backdrop of the play. The setting of rural or rustic life makes the play pastoral. The play has twenty-two scenes in all. Six of them are located in and around the palace of Duke Frederic. The other sixteen are in different parts of The Forest of Arden. Most of the actions in the play take place in the Forest of Arden. The spirit of pastoral bliss is principally communicated through the shifting scenes of the Forest of Arden with its brooks and trees, its sheep-cotes, shepherds, its sylvan retreats and rural setting.

The songs in the play have a major contribution in making the play pastoral. The catching charm and cheer in the songs convey the impression of pastoral serenity. The songs like “Under the Greenwood Tree” provide a natural and forceful expression to the spirit of pastoral theme of the play. The pastoral bliss makes the setting free from ills of human nature.

The banished Duke and his followers, Rosalind, Celia, Orlando and Oliver go to the Forest of Arden but the true natives of the forest: rustic folk, shepherds and shepherdess with their flocks of sheep, pastures fresh and green make the play pastoral. These characters are Corin, Silvius, Phebe, Audrey, William and Sir Oliver Martext.

In the forest, Duke Senior as well as his followers love the life in the forest. After repenting for their wrong doings and evils Duke Fredrick and Oliver also decide to live in the forest. Shakespeare uses the simplicity of the pastoral world to fit the primary emotion of love and comedy in its elementary mood. As You Like it is a dramatic presentation of a pastoral world.

 

3. Love

The comedy of As You Like It, the most popular play of Shakespeare is a comedy of love. It is observed that the main motive of love runs from the beginning of the play till the end. Love seems to be the ruling deity of the play. Shakespeare is more interested in love between a young man and a young woman. But he has not disregarded the other aspects of love, like love between two friends, parents and children, sisters, brothers, master and servant and so on. As far as the youthful love is concerned love at the first sight dominates his comedy. There are four pairs of lovers in As You like It and in each case, it is invariably love at the first sight. The pairs are namely Orlando and Rosalind, Oliver and Celia, Touchstone and Audrey, Silvius and Phebe. The love forms the principal theme of the play. Such conception of love is romantic one, and it has been freely employed in all literature in fiction and drama alike. Shakespeare has employed a convention which was favourite with the romantic writers and has employed it for no less than four pairs of lovers two from higher and two from lower class of society. But in addition to it we see devoted love of Adam for Orlando, the genuine sisterly love between Rosalind and Celia, love as devotion again in the lords for the banished Duke and also of Touchstone.

The journey of love in a Shakespearean comedy is not smooth. Love is tested. There are separations, pangs, difficulties, problems etc. These all are found in the case of Orlando and Rosalind.

Songs and music are said to be the diet of the lovers. There are songs in nearly every comedy of Shakespeare. But this factor dominates in As you Like It. In this play there is shower of songs coming from Amiens, Orlando, Jacques and even Touchstone. Most of them add to the effect of romance in their own way

 

4. Repentance and Reconcile.

The theme of repentance and reconciliation is depicted in the final scene of the play. It may be described as an illustration of the principle that repentance and reconciliation is better than vengeance and retribution. Oliver the elder brother of Orlando plans to murder Orlando to grab his share in the parental estate. Adam the faithful servant of Orlando informs him about Oliver’s conspiracy. So both of them flee to the Forest of Arden. Accidentally Orlando sees a man in rags sleeping under a tree. A snake is coiled around his neck and a hungry lioness is awaiting to pounce on him. Orlando recognizes that the man is none other than his cruel brother Oliver. For a moment he decides to leave him on his fate. But the innate goodness in Orlando forces him to risk his own life by fighting with the lioness. He saves Oliver from the clutches of death. This unexpected return of good for evil overpowers villain like Oliver who understand the value of brotherly love and from that moment becomes a good character and is married to Celia the daughter of the usurping Duke. He hands over everything to Orlando and decides to live a simple life in the forest.

In the same way the villainous Duke deprived his elder brother of his legitimate estate and banished him into exile, starts to crush his elder brother in the Forest of Arden because he feels that his life is unsafe as long as his brother is living. On his way he meets a holy man who advises him not to proceed against his brother and to repent his evils. The holy man’s advice changes the vicious Duke from a cruel, selfish tyrant into selfless, loving gentlemen. He decides to give up the powers and return the Dukedom to his elder brother from whom he has usurped it. He also returns all the properties to the lords who accepted willing banishment with the Duke and decides to stay with the sage and lead the remaining life in seclusion. The repentance and reconciliation reveal the absolute faith in the essential goodness of human nature and in the final overthrow of evil by good.

 

Unit 4: Essays

1. Dream Children by Charles Lamb

1. About the Author

Charles Lamb (1775–1834) was an English essayist, critic, and poet, best known for his essays published under the pen name Elia. His works are known for warmth, humour, nostalgia, and a conversational style. Lamb often wrote about his own life, blending fact and imagination. His essays reflect his love for the past, his gentle wit, and his deep humanity.
"Dream Children: A Reverie" is one of his most famous essays, combining memory, imagination, and deep personal loss.

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2. Summary

The essay is written as if Lamb is talking to two children, John and Alice, telling them stories about their family.

The tone is warm, affectionate, and nostalgic, but in the end, we realize it was all a dream.

Beginning – Storytelling to Children

The narrator says that children love to hear stories about their elders’ childhoods. His “children” gather around to listen. He tells them about their great-grandmother Field, who lived in a huge house in Norfolk. This house was linked with the tragic tale of The Children in the Wood, carved in wood on the chimney-piece. Later, a foolish rich man replaced it with a marble one with no story.

Great-grandmother Field’s Character

She was deeply religious, good, and respected by everyone, even though she was only the caretaker of the house. The real owner lived elsewhere. She kept the house with dignity until her death. Her funeral was attended by many poor and rich people because of her goodness. She knew the Psalms and much of the Bible by heart. She was once graceful and the best dancer in the county, but later suffered from cancer. Still, her spirit remained strong.

Her Beliefs and the Haunted House

She believed that the ghosts of two infants could be seen on the staircase at night, but she said they would do her no harm. The narrator admits he was frightened as a child, though he never saw them.

Childhood Memories

The narrator recalls visiting the big house during holidays. He loved exploring the vast rooms, gardens, and orchards but never took forbidden fruits like peaches. Instead, he enjoyed wandering among trees, collecting berries, lying on the grass, basking in the orangery, or watching fish in the pond.

Uncle John

Great-grandmother Field loved all her grandchildren but especially Uncle John because he was handsome and brave. He rode spirited horses and joined hunters even as a boy. He also loved the house and gardens. When the narrator was a lame-footed boy, Uncle John carried him on his back for miles. Later, Uncle John himself became lame, but the narrator admits he was not always patient with him. When Uncle John died, Lamb missed him deeply — even their quarrels.

 Dead Mother and Alice W__n

The children cry when they hear about Uncle John and ask to hear about their “dead mother.” Lamb tells them he loved a woman named Alice W__n for seven years, but she married someone else, a man named Bartrum.

 

Dream Ending

Suddenly, the narrator notices that Alice (the child) has the same look as the woman he loved. The children begin to fade away and say they are not real — they are only dreams of what might have been. Lamb wakes up to find himself in his chair, with his cousin Bridget beside him. He realises he never married, never had children, and that Uncle John (his real brother) is gone forever.

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3. Themes

1. Nostalgia for the Past

The essay is full of loving memories of Lamb’s childhood, the old house, and family members. It shows his longing for a time that can never return.

2. Blending of Reality and Imagination

Lamb mixes real memories with imagined children. This dream-like blending creates emotional depth.

3. Loss and Regret

The essay deals with personal loss — of his brother John, of his love Alice W__n, and of the children he never had.

4. Family Affection

There is warmth in his descriptions of Great-grandmother Field, Uncle John, and his love for the dream-children.

5. The Pain of Unfulfilled Desires

The ending reveals that the happy family scene was only a dream — showing Lamb’s quiet acceptance of life’s disappointments.

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Q1. Describe the character of Grandmother Field as portrayed in the essay.

Answer:
Grandmother Field is remembered by Lamb as a truly remarkable and admirable woman. She lived in a huge house in Norfolk, which once belonged to a wealthy family, but even when it was partly in ruins, she took great care of the habitable portion. She was tall, upright, and handsome, and even in her old age, she was very active. Her piety was unmatched — she could recite the entire Bible from memory without needing to look at it. This shows her strong faith and extraordinary memory. She was respected by her master and mistress and loved by all the servants, which reflects her kind and dignified nature. Grandmother Field also had a gift for storytelling, narrating to the children fascinating tales about the history of the house, the portraits of kings, the great marble chimney-piece, and the ghost in the long gallery. She represents moral integrity, religious devotion, and the warmth of family tradition. Through her portrayal, Lamb honours the older generation and their values.

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Q2. How does Charles Lamb mix reality and imagination in the essay?

Answer:
In Dream Children: A Reverie, Lamb blends reality and imagination so skillfully that the reader is drawn into the illusion until the final revelation. At first, Lamb presents the scene as if he is telling stories to his two children, John and Alice. He recalls real-life incidents, such as memories of his grandmother Field, the big Norfolk house, his brother John, and cousin Bridget. All these details are factual, drawn from his own family life. However, the children themselves are imaginary — they never existed in reality. This truth emerges gradually, as their faces begin to fade and they tell him they are not real, but dream-children. They also reveal that Lamb never married and that their mother (his beloved Alice) had died. By weaving factual memories into a fictional family conversation, Lamb creates a touching blend of autobiography and dream, where the lines between reality and fantasy are blurred until the end. This technique heightens the emotional impact, making the reader feel both warmth and sorrow.

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Q3. What role does nostalgia play in Dream Children: A Reverie?

Answer:
Nostalgia is the central emotional force in the essay. Lamb uses the dream framework as a way to revisit and relive his happiest and most intimate memories. He recalls the days spent with his grandmother Field in the great house, her stories about the ghost in the long gallery, and the adventures with his elder brother John. He even remembers his love for his cousin Bridget. These memories are not presented in a cold, factual way but are filled with warmth, personal affection, and emotional colour. Yet, nostalgia in this essay is bittersweet — while it brings joy to recall the past, it also reminds Lamb of what he has lost. The dream-children represent the life he could have had but never did — a wife, children, and a settled family life. In this way, nostalgia is both a comfort and a source of pain. It allows Lamb to hold on to the beauty of the past while also feeling the sadness of unfulfilled dreams.

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Q4. Explain the significance of the ending of the essay.

Answer:
The ending of Dream Children carries the emotional climax of the piece. Until this point, the conversation between Lamb and the children feels real and affectionate. However, as their faces start to fade, the dream-children reveal the truth — they are only products of his imagination. They remind him that he never married and that their mother, his beloved Alice, has died. This sudden shift from dream to reality creates a sharp emotional contrast, moving the tone from warmth and storytelling to loneliness and regret. The ending shows Lamb’s acceptance of his solitary life, but also his deep yearning for the family he never had. The dream dissolving into reality symbolises the fragility of human hopes — even the most beautiful visions can disappear when faced with truth. This final moment leaves the reader with a lasting impression of Lamb’s tenderness, his regrets, and the quiet courage with which he faces his personal losses.

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Q5. Discuss the autobiographical elements in the essay.

Answer:
Dream Children: A Reverie is filled with autobiographical references that make it deeply personal. Grandmother Field is based on Mary Field, Lamb’s real grandmother, who worked as a housekeeper in a grand Norfolk home. The description of the big house, its portraits, and the ghostly long gallery is drawn from Lamb’s childhood visits. The elder brother John in the essay refers to his real brother, also named John, with whom he shared many adventures. Cousin Bridget is actually Mary Lamb, his sister and lifelong companion. The love story involving Alice reflects Lamb’s real affection for Ann Simmons, whom he could never marry due to family responsibilities. Even the title “Dream Children” reflects Lamb’s reality — he never married and had no children of his own. By blending these factual elements with the dream framework, Lamb turns a personal confession into a universal reflection on love, memory, and loss. The autobiographical truth gives the essay authenticity and emotional depth, making it one of his most enduring works.

  

2. The Superannuated Man by Charles Lamb

About the Author

Charles Lamb (1775–1834) was an English essayist, critic, and poet, best known for his essays published under the pen name Elia. His works are known for warmth, humour, nostalgia, and a conversational style. Lamb often wrote about his own life, blending fact and imagination. His essays reflect his love for the past, his gentle wit, and his deep humanity.
"Dream Children: A Reverie" is one of his most famous essays, combining memory, imagination, and deep personal loss.

Summary

In The Superannuated Man, Charles Lamb narrates his personal experience of retiring from his long office job and how he adjusted to a life of leisure. The essay is partly humorous, partly nostalgic, and deeply reflective about time, freedom, and human habits.

Beginning – The Burden of Office Life

Lamb begins by addressing readers who might have spent their youth, middle age, and even old age in the confinement of an office. He says that only such people can understand the joy of being released from that lifelong prison. He recalls how he first joined the office in Mincing Lane at the age of fourteen. The change from the playful freedom of school life to the monotonous eight or nine hours of work every day was very hard. Over time, he became used to it, much like an animal gets used to a cage.

Sundays were his only regular holidays, but even those felt gloomy in London. The city was quiet, shops were closed, streets were lifeless, and there was no cheerful activity. The working-class people who got a Sunday off didn’t look truly happy either. Apart from Sundays, Lamb only had a day each at Easter and Christmas and a week in summer to visit his native Hertfordshire. This summer week was the highlight of his year, and the hope of it kept him going through the other fifty-one weeks. Yet, even that week passed in restless attempts to “enjoy” it, and before he knew it, he was back at his desk again.

Middle Age – Declining Health and Confidence

As Lamb grew older, he developed a feeling that he was not really suited for business. His health and spirits suffered. He constantly feared making mistakes and even dreamt at night of false entries and accounting errors. At fifty, he saw no possibility of retirement—he felt he had “grown to his desk,” and the wood had entered his soul.

One day, the junior partner of his firm noticed his poor looks and asked about his health. Lamb honestly confessed his weariness and hinted at resignation. For a week after this conversation, Lamb feared he had made a mistake and had put himself at risk of dismissal.

The Unexpected Offer

To Lamb’s surprise, on April 12th, he was called to a meeting with all four partners of the firm. He feared bad news, but instead, the senior partner praised his long and faithful service. They offered him a life pension of two-thirds of his salary and told him he was free to leave immediately. This generous act moved him deeply. At ten minutes past eight, he walked out of the office forever. He gratefully records the names of the partners—Boldero, Merryweather, Bosanquet, and Lacy—calling them the most generous firm in the world.

 

Early Days of Freedom – Strange Feelings

At first, Lamb felt confused, almost stunned. His happiness felt unreal, like that of a prisoner suddenly freed after forty years. He had so much time that he didn’t know what to do with it. He humorously says he needed a steward to manage his “estate in time.” He also warns others not to give up work too suddenly without considering how they will use their time.

Slowly, the initial excitement faded, and he began to enjoy a steady, calm happiness. Now he could walk, read, or write whenever he liked, without the pressure to “make the most” of his time. He no longer chased after pleasure; instead, he let it come to him naturally.

Adjusting to a New Life

One strange effect of retirement was that the office and his colleagues felt as if they belonged to a distant past, almost as if they were dead. When he visited them later, the old jokes seemed weaker, his old desk belonged to someone else, and he felt a bit guilty for leaving. He missed the companionship, but he also realised this was a natural feeling after a big change.

He bids a warm farewell to his old friends and even to the gloomy office building, which had been both his prison and his provider.

Complete Freedom – A New Rhythm

After a fortnight, Lamb felt completely at home in his new lifestyle. He could wander the streets, browse bookshops, or admire art galleries at any hour. The regularity of days was gone—he no longer felt the dread of Monday or the relief of Saturday. Even Sundays no longer felt different from other days. He had time for everything: visiting sick friends, inviting busy people to leisure trips, and simply doing “nothing.”

Lamb concludes humorously, saying he is no longer “clerk to the firm” but “Retired Leisure.” He moves at his own pace, with a new air of dignity, reading about the opera instead of business news. He declares that his life’s work is done and that now the rest of his days belong entirely to himself.

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MCQs

Themes

1. Monotony of Work – Shows how routine office work can feel like a prison over the years.
2. Value of Leisure – True happiness comes when we have control over our time.
3. Sudden Freedom – Retirement brings joy but also a period of adjustment.
4. Nostalgia – Even after gaining freedom, Lamb feels connected to his old colleagues.
5. Gentle Humour – The essay mixes warmth, humour, and personal reflection.

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MCQs

1. Where did Lamb work for thirty-six years?
   a) Threadneedle Street                        b) Mincing Lane
   c) Chancery Lane                                d) Lombard Street
   Answer: b) Mincing Lane
2. How many regular holidays did Lamb have apart from Sundays?
   a) Two days in summer
   b) One day at Easter, one day at Christmas, and a week in summer
   c) One month in summer
   d) No holidays at all
   Answer: b) One day at Easter, one day at Christmas, and a week in summer
3. Who first spoke to Lamb about his health before his retirement?
   a) The senior partner                           b) The junior partner
   c) A fellow clerk                                 d) His brother
   Answer: b) The junior partner
4. What pension did Lamb’s firm offer him?
   a) Half his salary                                 b) His full salary
   c) Two-thirds of his salary                              d) One-third of his salary
   Answer: c) Two-thirds of his salary
5. Which firm did Lamb work for?
   a) Boldero, Merryweather, Bosanquet, and Lacy
   b) Boldero, Thomas, and Lacy
   c) Bosanquet and Sons
   d) Merryweather & Co.
   Answer: a) Boldero, Merryweather, Bosanquet, and Lacy
6. How did Lamb describe his first feeling after retirement?
   a) Joyful from the first moment                      b) Stunned and confused
   c) Bored and restless                                       d) Angry at leaving work
   Answer: b) Stunned and confused
7. What humorous name did Lamb imagine for his son?
   a) Carefree                                          b) Rest-in-Peace
   c) Nothing-to-do                                 d) Time-to-spare
   Answer: c) Nothing-to-do

 

Long Answer Questions

Q1. Describe Lamb’s early life as a clerk and his feelings towards Sundays in London.
Answer: Charles Lamb began working as a clerk at the young age of fourteen. This change was difficult — he had to move from the free and joyful life of a schoolboy to the fixed, repetitive duties of an office worker. He had to sit indoors all day, copying and checking numbers, with little chance for outdoor enjoyment. His only holiday each week was Sunday, but Sundays in London felt gloomy to him. There were no cheerful crowds, no open shops, and the streets were unusually quiet. The air seemed heavy, and people walked as if burdened by some invisible weight. This atmosphere depressed him. In addition to Sundays, he got only two single days at Christmas and Easter, and one week in summer for a holiday. He often spent that week in Hertfordshire, enjoying the countryside, but the joy was short-lived. Soon, he would return to the dull, mechanical life of the office.

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Q2. How did Lamb receive his unexpected retirement, and what was his reaction?
Answer: Lamb had been working in the same firm for 36 years without much hope of retiring early. His health began to fail, and he felt tired from the constant strain. One day, the junior partner noticed his condition and asked about it. Lamb replied honestly that he might have to resign someday. A week later, the partners invited him into their private room. He feared he was going to be dismissed. Instead, they praised his long and faithful service and offered him a pension for life, equal to two-thirds of his salary. They told him he could stop working immediately. This unexpected kindness shocked Lamb. He felt overwhelmed with gratitude and relief. He compared the feeling to that of a prisoner suddenly set free after forty years of confinement. He deeply respected the generosity of the firm — Boldero, Merryweather, Bosanquet, and Lacy — and accepted the offer with joy.

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Q3. What challenges did Lamb face after retirement, and how did he adapt?

Answer: The sudden change from having no time to having complete freedom was strange for Lamb. At first, he did not know what to do with so much leisure. He felt as if he needed someone to manage his time for him. The first few days were unsettling, and he warns others that such a sudden break in routine can be difficult. However, with time, Lamb began to adapt. He stopped forcing himself to seek pleasures and let them come naturally. He realised that the only time truly ours is the time we spend for ourselves, free from obligations. He began to enjoy slow walks, reading, and meeting friends. The days no longer had labels like “Monday” or “Sunday” — every day was equally pleasant. Within two weeks, he felt completely at home in his new life and could not imagine returning to the old one.

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Q4. Why did Lamb feel some guilt when visiting his old office after retirement?

Answer: After retiring, Lamb decided to visit his old colleagues to see them and the office again. However, he noticed that things had changed. His desk and hat peg were now occupied by others. Though they welcomed him warmly and exchanged jokes, he felt that his bond with them was no longer the same. The shared daily struggles, small talk, and sense of teamwork were gone for him. This made him feel a little guilty — as if he had deserted his companions. He realised that by leaving suddenly, he had broken a connection that had lasted for decades. This feeling of guilt was mixed with nostalgia, as he remembered all the years spent in that space and the friendships built there.

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Q5. How does Lamb portray his life after settling into retirement?

Answer: Once Lamb got used to his new lifestyle, he fully embraced it. Every day felt like a holiday. He could wake up when he wanted, read for hours, take long walks, and visit friends without worrying about returning to work. There were no dreaded Mondays or hurried Sundays. His life had no fixed timetable, and he enjoyed that freedom. He humorously imagined naming a son “Nothing-to-do” to celebrate this new phase. Lamb describes himself as “Retired Leisure” — a man who has completed his duties and now enjoys peace and independence. He believes that constant busyness is unnatural for humans and that life should be lived at a comfortable, thoughtful pace. For Lamb, retirement was not just the end of work; it was the beginning of a richer, calmer life.

 

3. A Dissertation upon Roast Pig by Charles Lamb

About the Author

Charles Lamb (1775–1834) was an English essayist, critic, and poet, best known for his essays published under the pen name Elia. His works are known for warmth, humour, nostalgia, and a conversational style. Lamb often wrote about his own life, blending fact and imagination. His essays reflect his love for the past, his gentle wit, and his deep humanity.

"Dream Children: A Reverie" is one of his most famous essays, combining memory, imagination, and deep personal loss.

 Summary

Charles Lamb’s A Dissertation upon Roast Pig is one of his most famous humorous essays. In it, Lamb imagines an ancient, almost unbelievable history of how humans first discovered the taste of roast meat — particularly roast pig. He mixes playful fiction with affectionate praise for food, creating a light-hearted yet memorable story.

The Ancient World without Roast Pig

Lamb begins by saying that in the very old times — thousands of years ago — human beings did not know how to cook meat. For about seventy thousand years, according to his “source,” people ate animals raw, straight from the kill. No one had discovered the art of roasting or broiling. This strange fact, Lamb claims, is found in an ancient Chinese manuscript written by a scholar named “Confucius” or one of his followers. Lamb pretends to quote this as a historical record, even though it is obviously made-up.

The Accident that Changed Everything

The main character in this imaginary history is a Chinese swineherd named Ho-ti. He lived in a simple straw-thatched cottage with his son Bo-bo. One day, Ho-ti went out, leaving Bo-bo in charge of the house and the young piglets. While the father was gone, Bo-bo was playing carelessly with fire. Perhaps he was roasting chestnuts, perhaps just making mischief — but in doing so, he accidentally set the straw on fire.

The flames spread quickly, and the entire cottage burned to the ground. Sadly, nine little pigs inside were trapped and killed. Bo-bo was upset about the loss, but soon something strange caught his attention: an unusual and wonderful smell coming from the burnt remains.

Bo-bo’s Discovery

The smell was unlike anything Bo-bo had experienced before — rich, savoury, and mouth-watering. Curious, he approached one of the dead pigs. Its skin was blackened and blistered from the fire. When Bo-bo touched it, the hot surface burned his fingers. Instinctively, he put his fingers into his mouth to cool them — and there he tasted, for the first time in human history, crackling — the crisp roasted skin of a pig.

This taste was a revelation to him. It was delicious beyond anything he had eaten before. The combination of crispy skin and soft, juicy meat inside made him forget the disaster of the burnt cottage. Very soon, he began tearing pieces from the pig and eating greedily.

The Father’s Reaction

When Ho-ti returned and saw the scene — the burnt cottage, the dead pigs, and his son feasting — he was furious. He thought Bo-bo had gone mad with hunger. In anger, he began to beat him. But during the beating, Ho-ti’s own fingers came in contact with the roasted pig, and like his son, he also burned them. When he put his fingers in his mouth, he too discovered the heavenly taste of roast pig.

Instantly, his anger vanished. Father and son sat down together among the ashes and enjoyed the roast pigs until they could eat no more.

The Secret and Its Discovery

Bo-bo and Ho-ti decided to keep this discovery a secret. However, they could not resist repeating the process. Whenever their sow had piglets, soon after, there would be another “accidental” fire at their cottage. People began to grow suspicious.

Finally, they were caught and taken before a judge. During the trial, the evidence clearly showed they had been setting fires on purpose. But before sentencing, the judge and jury examined the burnt pigs — and, naturally, they could not resist tasting them. Once they tasted, they were overcome with pleasure, and at once declared Ho-ti and Bo-bo “Not Guilty.”

The Spread of the Fashion

From then on, people everywhere in that part of China began burning down their houses whenever they wanted roast pig. The “fashion” became so popular that fires broke out everywhere, and it seemed the whole country would be reduced to ashes.

At last, a wise man discovered a better method: one could roast a pig without burning down an entire house. He invented the art of roasting meat over a fire or on a spit, and from there, cooking spread throughout the world.

Lamb’s Praise for Roast Pig

After telling this imaginary history, Lamb moves away from the Chinese setting and begins to praise roast pig in his own voice. He calls it the “prince of dishes” — the most delicious food ever known. Lamb says the ideal pig is a young suckling pig, less than a month old, roasted until the skin becomes perfect crackling but without overcooking. The meat should be tender, moist, and delicate, with a sweetness that no other meat can match.

He describes the pleasure of eating it: the first bite into the crisp skin, the taste of the tender meat underneath, the mild fat that is not greasy but melts pleasantly in the mouth. Unlike most meats, every part of the pig is equally good — there is no bad cut.

Selfishness Over Roast Pig

Lamb humorously admits that, while he is normally happy to share food with friends, roast pig is different. He finds it too precious to give away lightly. To explain this, he recalls a childhood memory.

The Plum-Cake Incident

As a schoolboy, Lamb’s aunt once gave him a whole plum-cake to take back to school. On the way, he met a poor beggar. Having no money to give, and wanting to feel generous, he gave the cake to the beggar. At first, he felt proud of this “charitable” act, but later, he regretted it bitterly. He thought of the care and love with which his aunt had baked it, and how she would expect him to enjoy it. He realised he had deprived himself of a special treat that was meant for him.

From this, Lamb concludes that roast pig, like his aunt’s plum-cake, is too rare and delightful to be given away without deep personal loss.

Old Cruel Customs

Lamb also refers to some old cooking customs. He mentions the strange practice of whipping pigs to death because some people believed it made the meat taste better. He treats this seriously for a moment, but also with irony, suggesting such cruelty is foolish and unnecessary.

The Ideal Way to Eat Roast Pig

Lamb gives his own advice on how to enjoy roast pig: it should be eaten with a simple sauce made of bread crumbs, the pig’s liver, and a little mild sage. He warns against strong flavours like onions or garlic, which he believes spoil the delicate taste of the meat. For him, the beauty of roast pig lies in its pure, natural flavour.

 Conclusion

The essay ends as it began — with humour, affection, and exaggeration. Lamb’s fictional “history” and his loving description of the pig create a playful tone. Beneath the jokes is also a message: that certain pleasures in life are so rare and perfect that they deserve to be treasured and enjoyed without guilt.

 

MCQs

1. In Lamb’s story, who accidentally discovers roast pig?
   a) Ho-ti                        b) Bo-bo
   c) Confucius                d) The judge
   Answer: b) Bo-bo
2. What caused the first pigs to be roasted in the story?
   a) Lightning                            b) Cooking experiment
   c) A house fire                                    d) Volcano eruption
   Answer: c) A house fire
3. How did the jury in the trial react after tasting the pig?
   a) Declared them guilty                                  b) Declared them not guilty
   c) Sent them to prison                                     d) Banned pig-eating
   Answer: b) Declared them not guilty
4. What food from his childhood does Lamb compare to roast pig in terms of personal enjoyment?
   a) Roast chicken                                  b) Plum-cake
   c) Pineapple                                         d) Mutton chop
   Answer: b) Plum-cake
5. Which flavouring does Lamb warn against when cooking pig?
   a) Sage                                                b) Onion and garlic
   c) Bread crumbs                      d) Liver sauce
   Answer: b) Onion and garlic
6. What does Lamb call roast pig in the essay?
   a) “King of meats”                              b) “Prince of dishes”
   c) “Best of the barnyard”                    d) “Emperor of flavours”
   Answer: b) “Prince of dishes”
7. Which country does Lamb humorously claim as the birthplace of roast pig?
   a) India                                    b) France
   c) China                                   d) England
   Answer: c) China

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Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Narrate the story of Ho-ti and Bo-bo as told in the essay.

Answer:
In A Dissertation upon Roast Pig, Charles Lamb humorously tells how roast pig was “discovered.” In ancient China, a poor swineherd named Ho-ti lived with his son Bo-bo. One day, Ho-ti went out, leaving Bo-bo at home with several young piglets. While playing carelessly with fire, Bo-bo accidentally set their straw-thatched cottage on fire. The flames spread quickly, killing the pigs inside. At first, Bo-bo was upset, but soon he noticed a wonderful smell from the burnt remains. When he touched one of the pigs, he burnt his fingers, and putting them in his mouth, he discovered the taste of roast pig. It was delicious beyond anything he had ever eaten. When Ho-ti returned, he was angry and began to beat Bo-bo, but after tasting the roasted meat himself, he joined his son in enjoying the meal. They kept this discovery secret but often repeated it, burning their house again and again. Eventually they were caught, but even the judge could not resist tasting the roast pig and declared them “Not Guilty.”

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Q2. How does Charles Lamb combine humour and imagination in the essay?

Answer:
Lamb’s essay is a masterclass in blending humour with playful imagination. He pretends to base his story on an ancient Chinese manuscript, giving it a false air of historical truth. The idea that people learned to cook meat only after accidentally burning down houses is absurd but told in a convincing, detailed manner. The characters of Ho-ti and Bo-bo are described so vividly that the reader almost believes they existed. Humour appears in unexpected contrasts — like the judge eating roast pig during a trial or the entire country burning houses to get more pigs. Lamb also mixes reality with exaggeration when he praises roast pig as the “prince of dishes,” describing the skin, fat, and tenderness in mouth-watering detail. His style combines a childlike storytelling tone with clever irony, making the reader smile while admiring his creativity. This mixture of nonsense history and genuine food enthusiasm creates an unforgettable comic essay.

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Q3. Why does Lamb call roast pig the “prince of dishes,” and how does he describe eating it?

Answer:
Lamb calls roast pig the “prince of dishes” because, in his opinion, it is the most delicious food in the world. He prefers a young suckling pig roasted until the skin becomes crisp “crackling” while the meat inside remains tender, juicy, and slightly sweet. He explains that roast pig is unlike other meats because every part is equally good — there is no bad portion. Eating it is described almost like a luxury ritual: the first bite into the crisp skin releases a savoury flavour, the fat melts gently in the mouth, and the meat feels soft and delicate. Lamb warns against adding strong flavours like onions or garlic, as these would overpower its natural taste. Instead, he suggests a simple bread-and-sage sauce to enhance, not hide, the flavour. Through these rich, sensory details, Lamb makes the reader almost taste the pig, which justifies his title of “prince of dishes.”

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Q4. Explain the “plum-cake incident” and its connection to Lamb’s thoughts on sharing roast pig.

Answer:
The “plum-cake incident” is a humorous childhood memory Lamb shares to explain why roast pig is too special to share freely. As a schoolboy, he was once given a whole plum-cake by his aunt. On the way back to school, he met a poor beggar and, feeling charitable, gave the cake to him. At first, he felt proud of this generosity, but later he regretted it deeply. He realised the cake was baked with love for him, and that by giving it away, he had deprived himself of something rare and delightful. Lamb uses this incident to suggest that some pleasures in life — like his aunt’s cake or roast pig — are too precious to be given away without loss. He humorously admits that while he is happy to share most things, he prefers to keep roast pig for himself, as its joy is too perfect to part with. This story adds a playful, personal touch to the essay.

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 Q5. What message does the essay give, apart from its humour?

Answer:
Though primarily humorous, Lamb’s essay also carries a few underlying messages. First, it celebrates the discovery and enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures — in this case, good food. The detailed description of roast pig reflects the joy of savouring something rare and perfect. Second, it playfully warns against wasteful or harmful customs, like burning houses or cruelly whipping pigs. Third, it comments on human nature: once people discover something delightful, they often go to extremes to enjoy it, as shown by the Chinese people burning houses for pigs. Finally, through the plum-cake anecdote, Lamb suggests that it is natural to value special gifts and that it is acceptable to treasure certain joys without guilt. Beneath the humour and exaggeration, the essay reflects Lamb’s warmth, his love for sensory pleasures, and his gentle, human understanding of selfishness and desire.