William Shakespeare (baptized April 26, 1564, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England—died April 23, 1616, Stratford-upon-Avon) is the poet, dramatist, and actor often called the English national poet. He is considered by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time.
Shakespeare occupies a position unique in world literature. Other poets, such as Homer and Dante, and novelists, such as Leo Tolstoy and Charles Dickens, have transcended national barriers, but no writer’s living reputation can compare to that of Shakespeare, whose plays, written in the late 16th and early 17th centuries for a small repertory theatre, are now performed and read more often and in more countries than ever before. The prophecy of his great contemporary, the poet and dramatist Ben Jonson, that Shakespeare “was not of an age, but for all time,” has been fulfilled.
He is a writer of great intellectual rapidity, perceptiveness, and poetic power. Other writers have had these qualities, but with Shakespeare the keenness of mind was applied not to abstruse or remote subjects but to human beings and their complete range of emotions and conflicts.
Other writers have applied their keenness of mind in this way, but Shakespeare is astonishingly clever with words and images, so that his mental energy, when applied to intelligible human situations, finds full and memorable expression, convincing and imaginatively stimulating. As if this were not enough, the art form into which his creative energies went was not remote and bookish but involved the vivid stage impersonation of human beings, commanding sympathy and inviting vicarious participation.
Thus, Shakespeare’s merits can survive translation into other languages and into cultures remote from that of Elizabethan England.
As You Like It stands out as a delightful and enduring comedy that has captivated audiences for centuries. This play, written around 1599-1600, is a testament to the Bard's unparalleled ability to craft intricate plots, develop multifaceted characters, and weave together themes of love, identity, and the human condition.
At its core, As You Like It is a story of transformation, where the characters find themselves uprooted from the constraints of courtly life and thrust into the idyllic Forest of Arden. Within this natural setting, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, grappling with questions of love, gender, and the meaning of true happiness.
The play's captivating narrative begins with the exiled Duke Senior, who has taken refuge in the Forest of Arden alongside his loyal followers, having been usurped by his brother, Duke Frederick. Meanwhile, Duke Senior's niece, Rosalind, is also banished from the court by her uncle, Duke Frederick, who is threatened by her popularity and charm.
Rosalind, accompanied by her cousin Celia and the court jester Touchstone, flees to the Forest of Arden, where she disguises herself as a young man named Ganymede. In the forest, Rosalind encounters Orlando, a young nobleman who has also been forced to take refuge there after a conflict with his older brother, Oliver.
The stage is now set for a delightful web of romantic entanglements. Rosalind, in her male disguise, offers to "cure" Orlando of his love for her, unaware that he is, in fact, pining for her true self. This clever ruse allows Rosalind to observe and guide Orlando's love, leading to a series of comical misunderstandings and heartwarming moments.
One of the most captivating aspects of As You Like It is its exploration of profound themes that resonate with audiences across time and cultures. The Forest of Arden serves as a central motif in the play, representing a space of refuge and transformation.
In contrast to the rigid and corrupt world of the court, the forest symbolizes a place of freedom, where the characters can shed their societal constraints and reconnect with their true selves. This pastoral setting allows for a deeper exploration of themes such as nature, simplicity, and the pursuit of happiness.
The play's exploration of identity and gender is a testament to Shakespeare's innovative and progressive approach to these topics. Rosalind's disguise as the male Ganymede not only adds to the comedic elements of the play but also allows for a nuanced examination of gender roles and the fluidity of identity. This theme is further explored through the character of Phebe, who falls in love with Ganymede, unaware of Rosalind's true identity.
Alongside the central love story, the play introduces a rich tapestry of supporting characters, each with their own unique journeys and perspectives. From the melancholic Jaques, who delivers the famous "All the world's a stage" soliloquy, to the rustic shepherds Silvius and Phebe, As You Like It is a masterful exploration of the human experience in all its complexity.
Charles Dickens, one of the most celebrated and influential authors in the English literary canon. He was Born in 1812 in Portsmouth, England, Dickens endured a tumultuous and often difficult childhood. His father's financial mismanagement led to the family's move to London and his father's eventual imprisonment for debt. These early hardships would go on to shape much of Dickens' worldview and inform the social commentary that permeates his writing.
Despite these challenges, Dickens possessed an innate talent and passion for storytelling from a young age. He began his career as a newspaper reporter, honing his skills as a keen observer of the human condition and a master of vivid, evocative prose. This early training would serve him well as he transitioned into fiction writing, producing a string of acclaimed novels that cemented his legacy as one of the greatest writers of the Victorian era.
Dickens' works are renowned not only for their literary merit, but also for their incisive social commentary. As a vocal critic of the rampant inequality and injustice of 19th century British society, Dickens used his platform to shed light on the plight of the poor, the downtrodden, and the marginalized. Novels like ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘Hard Times’, and ‘Great Expectations’ painted unflinching portraits of the harsh realities faced by the working class, while also offering glimmers of hope and the possibility of redemption.
A Tale of Two Cities, Novel Published in 1859, the novel is set against the tumultuous backdrop of the French Revolution, a period of history that Dickens viewed with a mixture of fascination and trepidation. The story follows the intertwined lives of several characters, each of whom is forced to confront the personal and moral consequences of the revolutionary upheaval.
At the center of the narrative are two men who bear an uncanny resemblance to one another: Charles Darnay, a French once-aristocrat who has renounced his family's legacy, and Sydney Carton, a brilliant but deeply troubled English barrister.
As Darnay is repeatedly arrested and put on trial for the sins of his ancestors, it is Carton who steps in to save him, sacrificing his own life in a final, heroic act. This powerful act of redemption lies at the heart of the novel, representing Dickens' belief in the transformative power of love, sacrifice, and the human spirit.
Yet ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ is far more than just a personal drama. Through his richly drawn characters and his vivid depiction of the French Revolution, Dickens crafts a sweeping, panoramic exploration of the broader human costs of political upheaval. The violence and bloodshed that consume Paris are not simply backdrops, but rather active, malevolent forces that threaten to consume the lives and souls of the novel's protagonists.
Dickens' nuanced approach to the revolution is particularly noteworthy. While he acknowledges the legitimate grievances of the revolutionaries and the deep-seated injustices that gave rise to the uprising, he also condemns the excesses and brutality that came to define the movement.
The novel presents a balanced, complex view of this tumultuous historical moment, refusing to reduce it to simplistic moral absolutes. Ultimately, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ stands as a towering achievement in Dickens' canon, a masterful work of fiction that continues to captivate and challenge readers to this day.
Through its rich cast of characters, its sweeping historical scope, and its profound exploration of the human condition, the novel solidifies Dickens' legacy as one of the greatest writers in the English language.
In an era defined by rapid social and political upheaval, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ remains a timeless meditation on the costs of revolution, the power of sacrifice, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. It is a novel that demands to be read, studied, and grappled with a testament to the transformative power of literature and the enduring brilliance of its creator, Charles Dickens.
Nissim Ezekiel is one of the greatest Indian English poets. His poems have the realistic essence of Indianness. He is profoundly aware of Indian social problems. His poems are generally ironic and light-veined. Nissim Ezekiel was born on December 16, 1924 in Mumbai in the Bene-Israel family. Both his parents were devoted to education. His father Moses was a professor of Botany and Zoology at Wilson college. His mother Diana was a school teacher.
Nissim Ezekiel also worked as a professor of English at Mithibai College and also at the University of Leeds. His poetry is philosophical, ironic and realistic.
The brothers of the bride stole the shoe of the bride- groom and hid it. They made him pay the money to get back the stolen shoe. The game delighted the children of the neighbours. The bridegroom felt like a reluctant bride-groom. He consoled himself by saying that "Don't mind it happens in such events".
Nissim as a bridegroom was a modern man. He did not want dowry. His in-laws were also modern. The bride's father asked him how much jewellery he had expected. The bride groom replied," I don't know." The bride's father laughed it off.
There was no brass band outside the synagogue. There were a chanting procession and some fitaeople had skull-caps and felt hats on their heads. Some people had decorated shawls. There was the breaking of the glass and the congregation clapped. It symbolized the fact that they were married according to Mosaic Law. The poet says,
"Mostly, we were
amused and so were others. who
knows how much belief
we had ?
The poet says that rituals are not beliefs. They are the imposed traditions in all communities whether one believes in them or not. Some people ate beef saying that it was cheaper. Some even violated the tradition by eating pork. The Sabbath was for betting, swearing and drinking.
There was nothing extravagant. Everything was normal and restricted. The bridegroom said that orthodox people knew where to draw the line. He claimed that he was modern and his mother called herself "Progressive". The wedding ceremony ended and all the people dispersed. The newly married couple went to the famous photographic studio of Lobo and Fernandes for a photo-shoot.
After returning home the couple lay on a floor-mattress in the kitchen of the wife's apartment. It was part of the night. She said,'' Let's do it darling, let's do it". Then they did it. Nissim Ezekiel refers to the first night sex of the couple in a unique way.
Finally, the poet says that ten years passed before she asked her husband that she was quite disappointed by his sexual act. She asked - "Is it ?". says that after he returned from London, he was out of practice. He probably suffered from erectile dysfunction or frigidity.
For the first time, there was a quarrel between the couple.
"She said why did
You take my virginity from me?"
The poet says that he would have gladly returned it if possible. However, he did not find its solution from any book he had read.
The poet describes the wedding ceremony of a Jewish Wedding with jingling bells, costumes, food, wine, photography and first night breaking of the bride's virginity. Love and love-making are two different things. Lost love has been suggested in a very humorous and ironic manner.
It is a faded romance which usually takes place in married life. The poem has a theme of customary wedding ceremony, belief and actual practice, love and love-making. At the end, the poet's wife asks him why he violated her virginity as he could not satisfy her sexual desire in a potent manner. The poet also says that if he could he would have returned her virginity intact, but no books in the World offered the solution.
Nissim Ezekiel is one of the major Indian English poets who creates authentic flavours of India. He uses Indian English which Indian people use in their conversation. Indians love English and believe that it is the language that can express true aspirations of India. Free India is different from China and Pakistan. It is more developed, Techno-savvy and liberal. It is democratic and recular in nature.)
Ezekiel presents that the new generation of India is fashionable and westernised. They speak in English, study in English medium schools and colleges. They prefer western food and western lifestyle. Porn
In the second stanza, the poet asks:
Why do people not follow peace and non-violence ?
He says that people should follow the advice
of Gandhiji and also the ancient wisdom
of India. However, he says that he reads
the English newspaper regularly to improve his English.
In the third stanza, he says that lassi with salt is better than wine for digestion. He further adds that he is a teetotaler. He has never tasted wine in his life. He says that wine is for the drunkards only.
Then he asks, "What you think of prospects of World peace?"
Pakistan behaves in an abnormal manner. China also does the same. He says that such a strange behaviour of China and Pakistan is disgusting. He says:
"All men are brothers, no ?"
In India also
Gujarati's, Maharashtrians, Hindiwallans
All brothers
Though some are having funny habits.
Nissim Ezekiel says that to love one's country is important but it is more important to be liberal and tolerant. He says,
"I tolerate you,
one day Ram Rajya is surely coming.
You are going ?
But you will visit again
Anytime, any day,
I am not believing in ceremony
Always enjoying your company." विविधता
The poet says that India is a country of diversity. There are people of various religious, castes and creeds who live in India. Though they differ in many things, they live together forgetting their differences. In India, we have a concept of Ram Rajya (an ideal state) where all people live harmoniously and unitedly. Mahatma Gandhi eulogized the concept of Ram Rajya and dreamt about harmonious India.)
At the end of the poem the poet tells the listener that he likes his company and therefore he can visit him anytime. He does not like to celebrate but he loves the company of good people. The narrator is a very talkative person who spenks in grammatically incorrect English. He also uses words which have Indian flavour. It is like Hinglish or Gujlish.
The narrator begins by saying that he stands for peace and non-violence but people keep on figuting. He asks why people do not follow Gandhiji. Indian ancient wisdom is not only 100% correct but 200% correct. He says that the modern generation is neglecting ancient traditions and preachings of Mahatma Gandhi. They are fashion-freak and follow Western way of life.
The narrator also is an admirer of the English language. He reads the Times of India every day to improve his English. He quotes the words of Shakespeare from his famous play Juliur Caesar', "Friends Romans, Countrymen'' These words have no relevance but he claims to be a scholarly man." The poem has no logical sequence. He speaks haphazardly. Refer- ring to perpetual change in the world, he says:
"Everything is coming - Regeneration, Remuneration, contraception"
Regeneration is ok but remuneration and contraception have no relevance. Here also, he wants to show his command over vocabulary in English. Then he refers to lassi, the lovely drink which is good for health. He says that it is far better than wine. Then he says that he is a teetotaller and he has never tasted wine in his life.
In the end, he says that people of India should live harmoniously and tolerantly inspite of the fact that there are differences in religions, cases, creeds and even funny habits. He says:
"Still you tolerate me,
I tolerate you".
He says that one day Ram Rajya would surely come in India. The poem is funny, irone and humorous. It depicts irrational attitude of the Indian people in general.
The humorous aspect of the poem is not only the content of the poem but Indian English. Let us take an example of Indian way of writing or speaking English.
To the Negro-American Soldiers by Leopord Sedar Senghor
Hello Readers!!! I am Anjali Rathod. I am going to write one another blog on Two African Poems : 1) The Piano and The Drums By Gabriel Okara & 2) To the Negro-American Soldiers by Leopard Seghar Sengho. This task was assigned by Megha Trivedi Ma’am, Visiting Faculty Lecturer, Department Of English, MKBU.
Original Poem : The piano and the Drums by Gabriel Okara
When at break of day at a riverside
I hear jungle drums telegraphing
the mystic rhythm, urgent, raw
like bleeding flesh, speaking of
primal youth and the beginning,
I see the panther ready to pounce,
the leopard snarling about to leap
and the hunters crouch with spears poised.
And my blood ripples, turns torrent,
topples the years and at once I’m
in my mother’s laps a suckling;
at once I’m walking simple
paths with no innovations
rugged, fashioned with the naked
warmth of hurrying feet and groping hearts
in green leaves and wild flowers pulsing.
Then I hear a wailing piano
solo speaking of complex ways
in tear- furrowed concerto;
of far away lands
and new horizons with
coaxing diminuendo, counterpoint,
crescendo, but lost in the labyrinth of its complexities, it ends in the middle of a phrase at a daggerpoint
And I lost in the morning mist
of an age at a riverside keep
wandering in the mystic rhythm
of jungle drums and concerto.
Analysis of the poem :
The poem ‘The Piano and the Drums’ contrasts the traditional African way of life with the encroaching influence of the modern world. The poetic persona uses the juxtaposition of the piano and the drums to symbolize this clash of cultures.
The setting of the poem spans from the advent of civilization to the present day, chronicling the gradual erosion of African cultural purity. The central theme examines the impact of foreign, Western influences on African society.
The poet uses the effect of music on the persona as an analogy to illustrate this overarching theme. The pure, primal rhythm of the drums represents the indigenous African experience, while the piano embodies the trappings of modern, Westernized life.
Through this musical metaphor, the poem seeks to emphasize the unspoiled, authentic nature of traditional African culture prior to the interference of colonial civilization and its attendant values. The tension between the piano and the drums mirrors the broader clash between the local and the global, the indigenous and the imported, that lies at the heart of the poem's message. Through vivid imagery and carefully crafted metaphors, Okara portrays the drums as representing the primal, natural rhythms of traditional African life, while the piano symbolizes the complex, cerebral qualities of Western culture. The way the speaker reacts to each "instrument" is central to the poem's expression of his inner turmoil.
In essence, Gabriel Okara perceives the desecration of the African way of life from the musical perspective, and comes out to lament about it through the instrument of poetry.
In the First Stanza , of the poem the description of the drums and piano follow a similar tripartite structure. First, we are presented with the sensory experience of the instruments' sounds, the "mystic rhythm" and "urgent" beating of the drums, versus the "wailing" and "tear furrowed concerto" of the piano. This establishes an immediate contrast between the raw, visceral nature of the traditional and the layered, emotive qualities of the Western.
The second part of each stanza delves into what the music "speaks of" : the drums evoking primal life and natural beauty, the piano conjuring "complex ways" and "far away lands." Here, Okara highlights the thematic dichotomy at the heart of the poem's cultural conflict.
Finally, each stanza ends with the speaker's personal reaction, the drums stirring memories of hunting and a simple, fulfilling life, the piano seducing him with its sophistication even as it seems to "crumble upon itself" in its own complexity.
The progression of the poem charts the speaker's wavering between these two worlds. Though the drums initially appear to hold sway, the piano's allure is powerful enough to leave him ultimately "lost" and "wandering aimlessly" as the two musical forces intertwine around him. This final stanza, with its calmer, more reflective tone, conveys the depth of his inner turmoil, a profound sense of confusion and displacement that many can relate to in our globalized age.
The Major themes in The Piano and the Drums
Theme of Innocence :
The theme of innocence is explored through the depiction of African culture in this poem. From the very first line, where the events take place "at break of day," the idea of innocence is already suggested. The start of a new day is fresh and untouched, hinting at a sense of purity.
This theme of innocence is further conveyed through the sound of the jungle drums. The poem describes the drums as having a "mystic rhythm" that is "urgent" and "raw." This suggests the drumbeats are primal and unrefined, untainted by outside influences. They represent the natural, uncorrupted essence of traditional African life.
In contrast to the complex, "wailing" sounds of the piano later in the poem, the drums evoke a sense of innocence. The poem presents traditional African culture as a realm of innocence, untouched by the complications and sophistication of the Western world symbolized by the piano. This innocence is something the speaker seems to long for, even as he is drawn to the allure of the piano's "far away lands and new horizons."
Theme of innocence helps to highlight the cultural dichotomy at the heart of the poem. It shows the speaker torn between the pure, primal essence of his African roots and the temptations of the complex, Western-influenced world. This tension lies at the core of the speaker's inner conflict and confusion.
Theme of Dilemma:
The poet speaks highly of African culture, but also finds European culture to be seductive, despite its flaws. The poet is unable to decide whether to let go of the inherited African culture or embrace the new European one. This is a common struggle for many educated Africans today. Many have resolved this dilemma by taking aspects from both the African and European cultures, a process known as "cultural syncretism." This allows them to combine the two cultures in a way that works for them.
The poet is torn between the cultures, unable to fully commit to one or the other. But many Africans have found a middle ground by selectively incorporating elements of both into a new, blended cultural identity.
Theme of Culture/Conflict:
The poem contrasts two very different cultures, one represented by the simple, natural rhythms of drums, and the other by the complex, technical sounds of the piano. The first two stanzas depict the "drum" culture, which is set in a physically dangerous environment surrounded by wild animals. The drums represent a primal, instinctive way of life and communication. The language used is raw and urgent, conveying a sense of life close to the beginnings of humanity.
In contrast, the piano culture of the last two stanzas is described with more complex, learned language. The piano symbolizes a westernized, sophisticated way of living that is very different from the drum culture. The poem suggests a conflict within the speaker, who is torn between these two vastly different worlds. The lack of a consistent rhyme scheme mirrors this indecision and confusion over which culture to embrace.
Ultimately, the poem explores the struggle many Africans faced in reconciling their traditional, indigenous cultures with the encroaching Western influences. The speaker is unable to fully commit to one or the other, feeling pulled in both directions.
Original Poem : To the Negro-American soldoers by Leopord Sedar Senghor
For Mercer Cook
I did not recognize you in prison under your
………..sad-colored uniform
I did not recognize you under the calabash helmet
………..without style
I did not recognize the whining sound of your
………..iron horses, who drink but do not eat.
And it is no longer the nobility of elephants, it is the
………..the barbaric weight of the prehistoric
………..monsters of the world.
Under your closed face, I did not recognize you.
I only touched the warmth of your brown hand,
………..I called myself “Afrika! ”
And I found once again the lost laughter, I hailed the ancient voices
………..and the roar of Congo waterfalls.
Brothers, I do not know whether you bombed the
………..cathedrals, the pride of Europe,
If you are the lightning of God’s hand that burned
………..Sodom and Gomorrah.
No, you are the messengers of his mercy, the
………..Spring after Winter.
To those who had forgotten how to laugh-only
………..smile obliquely
Who knew nothing but the savory flavor of
………..tears and the vexing stench of blood
You bring the Season of Peace and hope to
………..end of the delay.
And their night is filled with milky sweetness, the blue
………..fields of the sky are covered with flowers, silence sings
………..soothingly.
You bring them the sun. The air beats with whispers
………..liquids and crystalline chirping and beating
………..silky wings
The aerial cities are tepid with nests.
Through the streets joy streamed, the boys play with
………..their dreams
Men dance before of their machines and
………..surprised themselves singing.
Schoolgirls’s eyelids are rose petals, and
………..fruits ripen in the virgins’ breasts
And the women’s hips—Oh, sweetness—
………..grow generously heavy.
Black brothers, warriors whose mouths are flowers that
………..sing
—Oh! the delight to live after Winter—I salute you
………..like messengers of peace.
Analyses of the poem :
Leopold Sedar Senghor was a Senegalese poet, politician and cultural theorist who was one of the founders of the Negritude movement. ‘To the Negro-American Soldiers’ was likely a poem he wrote to honor and express gratitude to African American soldiers who fought in the World Wars. Honoring the Sacrifice and Resilience of the Negro-American Soldier in Senghor's Poem.
He founding father of the Negritude movement, paid poignant tribute to the African American soldiers who fought for their country in his 1945 poem ‘To the Negro-American Soldiers’. He writes of their "black bodies" marching into battle, their "scarred faces" etched with the hardships of war.
But Senghor's poem goes beyond simple veneration. It also speaks to the inherent dignity and resilience of the Negro-American soldier, who Senghor sees as the embodiment of the struggle for black liberation worldwide. He addresses them directly, praising their "stubborn patience" in the face of oppression and their "constructive force" that will one day break the chains of colonialism.
The poem's imagery is rich and evocative. Senghor depicts the soldiers as "the sap in the oak, the leap of the stream, the shudder of the earth" linking their warrior spirits to the very forces of nature. He also invokes their African heritage, seeing them as "brothers" who will carry the fight for freedom back to the ancestral continent.
‘To the Negro-American Soldiers’ is a passionate call to recognize the humanity and heroism of these men, who Senghor believes will play a pivotal role in the global movement for racial justice. In honoring their sacrifice, he elevates the entire African diaspora, providing a powerful counter narrative to the racist ideologies that sought to dehumanize them.
Senghor's poem is a moving testament to the indomitable spirit of the Negro-American soldier a spirit that, even in the face of unimaginable adversity, refused to be broken. Its message of black pride, resilience and revolutionary potential continues to resonate powerfully today.
