AP ENGLISH - ANALYSIS of Francis Bacon, Jonathen Swift, and George Orwell

Francis Bacon

"Of Revenge"

1. Why can revenge be defined as "a kind of wild justice"? What is wild about revenge? What about it is just?

Revenge, according to Bacon, is a wild justice because it offends the law by putting it out of effect and to violate the very purpose of it. Yet it also allows for an ability to place fairness in a given situation by allowing a victim to be even with his enemy.

1. What arguments does Bacon make against revenge? Are his objections primarily moral or practical?

Bacon states that if a man does ill will by nature than it is wrong to be spiteful for his love for himself over others. As well, he also suggests that it is necessary to bare pain and evil through his quote of Job. These therefore show moral arguments.

1. What do Bacon's historical and biblical allusions contribute to his ideas about revenge? Why do you think he includes these allusions?

Bacon's historical and biblical allusions allow for an ability to compare situations with those that were precedents for his philosophy. By doing this he is able to justify the benevolence in his theories by establishing such experiences with good morals.

"Of Love"

1. Is Bacon's purpose to warn us of the dangers of love? To encourage us to devote ourselves to love? Something else?

Francis Bacon attempts to define Love's effects on man and its impact through its existence. Love is inevitable to man as he clearly states towards the beginning of his essay. Bacon concludes that love can help make the world a better place or its misuse may corrupt mankind.

1. Why does Bacon quote the statement "That it is impossible to love and to be wise"? Why does he associate love with flattery? Do you agree?

Bacon uses the quote to establish the fact that love may disrupt rationality. By relating love with flattery, Bacon explains of loves corrupting abilities. I believe that only through the receiving persons may their love be truly defined.

1. Does Bacon contradict himself? Does he give evidence to support his argument? Give examples of both.