English literary Beginnings: From chaucer's verse to Shakespeare's stage
This blog is written as a Thinking activity task assigned by the head of the department of English(MKBU), prof. And Dr. Dilip Baradsir. Here is the link of the professor's article: Click here
1. Rewriting the Last Monologue of Doctor Faustus with Insights from Bhagat Singh’s Arguments.
Reflect on the concluding monologue of Marlowe’s ' incorporating insights from Bhagat Singh’s essay "Why I am an Atheist". Consider how Singh’s perspectives on freedom, oppression, and revolutionary thought can offer new dimensions to Faustus’s final lament.
Ans:
Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus ends with a powerful monologue in which Faustus, facing eternal damnation, pleads desperately for mercy. His final moments are marked by fear, regret and spiritual anguish. But if we look at this moment through Bhagat Singh's ideas in Why I am an Atheist, it gives us a new way to understand it- challenging divine justice, questioning blind faith and highlighting the need for reason, self- awareness and personal responsibility in confronting one's fate.
In the original monologue, Faustus is paralyzed by the thought of eternal damnation. He cries out:
" O soul, by changed into little water-drops,
And fall into the ocean, ne'er be found."
His cry is deeply emotional and spiritual, showing his desperate hope for a miracle. Rooted in christian belief, he no longer trusts in reason or human strength- only in the chance of divine forgiveness, which now seems out of reach. The fear of hell leaves him powerless, like a frightened child before the very forces he once tried to control with pride.
Bhagat Singh, in Why I am an Atheist, puts reason above religious fear. He doesn't reject God out of anger, but through thoughtful questioning. He believes religion often weakens people by making them rely on divine help instead of taking responsibility for their own actions. For singh, true courage means facing life honestly, without expecting rewards or punishments from a higher power.
He says:
"Man creates God in his own image. It is not God that makes man but man that makes God."
This idea challenges Faustus’ way of thinking. Instead of seeing humans as sinners begging for mercy, singh sees them as creators of their own values. From this point of view, Faustus’ final speech could be seen not as a cry for forgivenss, but as a realization of his lost potential and the mistake of placing blind faith over reason.
Bhagat singh's essay Why I am an Atheist allows us to reinterpret Faustus not as a man punished for seeking too much, but as a man who fell because he never truly embraced the freedom that knowledge offers. Bhagat singh's emphasis on reason, self- reliance and rejection of fear invites us to reinterpret Faustus not as damned soul, but as a flawed thinker awakening too late to his own mistakes. Singh’s ideas suggest that true redemption comes from taking responsibility and fighting for what is right, even when the outcome seems certain.
In summary, Bhagat Singh’s insights provide a fresh perspective on Faustus’s final monologue, suggesting that even in his darkest moment, there is meaning in rejecting fear, questioning blind faith, and taking responsibility. His ideas show that true strength lies in standing up for one’s beliefs—even in the face of failure or despair.
2. Comparative Analysis of Chaucer, Spenser, and Shakespeare as Poets.
Conduct a comparative analysis of Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare. Focus on their poetic styles, themes, contributions to English literature, and their influences on subsequent literary traditions.
Ans:
Geoffrey Chaucer, Edmund Spenser and William Shakespeare are foundational figures in English Literature, each marking a distinct phase in its development. Through their unique poetic styles, thematic depth, and lasting contributions, they helped shape the course of English poetry and laid the groundwork for future literary traditions.
1. Geoffrey chaucer: The father of English poetry:
Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1343–1400) is widely known as the Father of English poetry because he was among the first major writers to compose serious literary works in vernacular English—the everyday language spoken by the people—at a time when Latin and French dominated literature in England.
Geoffrey Chaucer is called the Father of English Poetry for several significant reasons. Firstly, he was among the first major poets to write in vernacular English rather than Latin or French. His most famous work, The Canterbury Tales, was written in Middle English, making literature more accessible to ordinary people and helping to standardize English as a literary language. Another notable works are:
'The Book of Duchess ', 'House of Fame', 'Troilus and Criseyde'.
Secondly, Chaucer introduced a new level of realism and depth in narrative and characterization. Unlike the idealized heroes of earlier works, his characters were everyday people, each portrayed with distinct voices, personalities, and flaws. He also played a key role in the development of poetic form, popularizing iambic pentameter and using rhymed couplets effectively, which shaped the rhythm and structure of English poetry for generations. Chaucer's ability to blend diverse themes—including humor, romance, social criticism, religion, and morality—reflected the complexity of medieval life and appealed to a wide audience.
His famous work "The Canterbury Tales" is celebrated for its vivid storytelling, sharp characterizations, and varied themes, ranging from love to morality. His ability to use of the iambic pentameter in 'The Canterbury Tales,' especially in lines like
“Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,”
Indicates his rhythmic skill and mastery of narrative verse.
Lastly, Chaucer became a major influence on future writers like Edmund Spenser, William Shakespeare, and John Dryden, who famously referred to Chaucer as "The father of English poetry", recognizing his lasting contribution to English literature.
2. Edmund Spenser : poet's poet and The poet of Allegory:
Edmund Spenser(1552-1599) was one of the most important poets of the Elizabethan Age and is best known for his epic poem "The Faerie Queene". Spenser aimed to create a distinctively English form of epic poetry, blending classical influences with medieval romance and Christian Allegory. Spenser was often considered as poet's poet.
Spenser’s style is elevated and archaic, deliberately imitating older forms to give his poetry a timeless, noble quality. He invented the Spenserian stanza (nine line stanza with a rhyme scheme ABABBCBCC) in The Faerie Queene, combining structure with elegance. His language is richly allegorical and musical. In "The Faerie Queene", his poetic mastery is shown in lines like
“Upon a great adventure he was bound,
That greatest Gloriana to him gave,”
Where narrative structure and allegorical depth unite to form a vivid and layered world. Other Notable works of Spenser are:
'The Shepherds Calendar', 'Amoretti', 'Epithalamion'.
Spenser aimed to create a national epic in English. Through The Faerie Queene, he established a uniquely English poetic tradition rooted in classical and medieval influences.
Spenser dealt with virtue, religious values, political ideals, and national identity. His works are deeply allegorical, promoting Protestant ethics and Elizabethan nationalism.
His allegorical style had a profound influence on English literature, especially on later poets such as John Milton, who adopted a similar fusion of classical and Christian themes in 'Paradise Lost'. Spenser’s focus on allegory and his intricate use of form made him a key figure in the development of epic poetry in English.
3. William Shakespeare: The master of poetic Drama and Lyricism:
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is widely regarded as the greatest playwright and poet in the English language. He revolutionized English drama and poetry during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras, blending deep psychological insight with poetic brilliance. One of his major contributions to English literature was his masterful use of blank verse—unrhymed iambic pentameter—which gave his dramatic dialogue a natural, rhythmic flow while allowing for emotional depth and complexity. His sonnets, particularly sonnet 18, with the line
"Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate..."
Represents his mastery of the sonnet form and his poetic brilliance, including use of deep emotions , imagery as well as simple language.
Apart from his sonnets , William Shakespeare is also best known for his plays, which have become timeless works of literature. He wrote around 37 plays, including tragedies, comedies, and histories. His tragedies like Hamlet and Macbeth explore human emotions and flaws. His comedies like As You Like It and Twelfth Night are full of humor, and happy endings. His historical plays, such as Henry IV and Richard III, focus on English kings and politics. Shakespeare’s plays are known for their powerful language, deep characters, and universal themes that are still relevant today.
The complexity of his characters, such as Hamlet’s existential reflections in
“To be, or not to be—that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune…”
reveals Shakespeare’s unique ability to fuse poetic language with profound philosophical inquiry. This famous soliloquy showcases how Shakespeare used blank verse to explore profound themes like life, death, and human struggle, elevating drama into poetic art.
4. Comparative insights:
While Chaucer laid the groundwork for English poetry through his engaging narratives and sharp social commentary, Spenser took the tradition further by introducing rich allegory and moral depth. Shakespeare, in turn, transformed poetic expression by fusing it with powerful emotion and psychological complexity. Each poet was a true innovator, and together they expanded the possibilities of English poetry. Chaucer’s storytelling influenced Shakespeare’s character-focused dramas, while Spenser’s structural creativity resonated in Shakespeare’s mastery of poetic forms like the sonnet.
In conclusion, Chaucer, Spenser, and Shakespeare each played a vital role in the development of English poetry, shaping its form, style, and scope. Their lasting contributions laid a strong foundation for the flourishing of English literature during the Renaissance and for generations to come.
References:
1. Video on 'Why I Am an Atheist,' an essay written by Bhagat Singh https://youtu.be/-Su-wK7z058?si=6lOfJE_X4T4v0O7C
Thank you!
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