- Jul 2019
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Adventure,”
A very fitting name.
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for my insatiable desire of seeing foreign countries would suffer me to continue no longer.
Well I guess his near death experience didn't really effect him, and i'm not sure about his relationship with his family? He's gone so long but then so addicted to travelling he must go on.
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September twenty-sixth
It only takes him two days to complete the journey?
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propagate the breed
I have a feeling they won't survive...
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that he was very glad of my resolution, and so were most of his ministers.
I'm really surprised the emperor believes in fortune and fate.
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e was pleased to grant.
I'm really surprised he granted that to him, I was expecting a no.
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I shall not trouble the reader with the difficulties I was under,
He's more descriptive with the land and the people and their rules than he is with other aspects of the novels.
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LUCKY ACCIDENT
Good fortune ( a reverse to how he came onto the island).
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not question you will gratefully and humbly submit to
I like how they think he will just sit there calmly as they remove his eyes.
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The treasurer was of the same opinion
I wonder if they really agree or is they agree with the popular opinion?
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painful and ignominious death, by setting fire on your house at night; and the general was to attend
This is really graphic.
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.
But he was praised by some people for his attacks on the ships?
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have prepared articles of impeachment against you, for treason, and other capital crimes
I wonder if this is actually true, or is he is the one lying to cause Gulliver to break a promise.
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DESIGN TO ACCUSE HIM OF HIGH TREASON, MAKES HIS ESCAPE TO BLEFUSCU. HIS RECEPTION THERE.
He's going to break the rules... I wonder if this will result in a further punishment for him.
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cost his majesty above a million and a half of sprugs
Everything seems to be about politics or money here...
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parents are the last of all others to be trusted with the education
Because parents might have the tendency to praise their children more than correct and teach them?
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Ingratitude is, among them, a capital crime
This is interesting... they definitely teach respect and appreciation here.
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And these people thought it a prodigious defect of policy among us, when I told them that our laws were enforced only by penalties, without any mention of reward.
The idea of rewards is interesting here, in modern day all know and comprehend are punishments and therefore we abide by solely fear.
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Europeans; nor from the right to the left, like the Arabians; nor from up to down, like the Chinese, but aslant, from one corner of the paper to the other, like ladies in England.
He's displaying his geographic knowledge here.
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tallest horses and oxen are between four and five inches in height, the sheep an inch and a half
This is so specific.
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yet I could not tell how his majesty might resent the manner by which I had performed it
Since it was the middle of the night did he see her in sleepwear or in another clothing that wasn't normally acceptable? Is that why she is so mad?
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adventure
This adventure might be more of a challenge.
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who were my secret enemies
I think he's gained quite a few more enemies now...
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encomiums
A speech with a lot of praise.
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bars of the length and size of a knitting needle
I feel like that's really small...
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, PREVENTS AN INVASION. A HIGH TITLE OF HONOR IS CONFERRED UPON HIM
The author is so descriptive about every part of the story- yet he's not on this part?
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and to let him know that I thought it would not become me,
I wonder if he's going to keep the promise he made...
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for six-and-thirty moons past.
Does 36 moons mean 36 months or three years?
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For, said he, as flourishing a condition as we may appear to be in to foreigners, we labor under two mighty evils: a violent faction at home, and the danger of an invasion, by a most potent enemy, from abroad
So he got his freedom to become their protector.
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There I saw the empress and the young princes in their several lodgings
I feel like this might be controversial, he's kind of peeping into their private home.
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The town is capable of holding five hundred thousand souls
There's a lot more of these people than I initially thought.
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Sixth. He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of Blefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now preparing to invade us.
I guess this is one of the reasons the people agreed to keep him alive.
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This body consisted of three thousand foot and a thousand horse
Again swift keeps mentioning the size comparison to continuously show to how small these people are.
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discharged blunt arrows, drew their sword
Swift describes this other world in extreme detail, i'm guessing so the reader can picture everything clearly.
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which often happens)
Why does this happen often? Do they have a short life span or something?
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They are trained in this art from their youth, and are not always of noble birth or liberal education
These people seem to have a better world than ours, from gender equality to earning respect rather than being born great.
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HIS NOBILITY OF BOTH SEXES
There seems to be equality between both genders (that's more than I can say about the human world).
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but the rest of my goods were returned to me.
The people are demonstrating that they trust him.
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There were two pockets which we could not enter: these he called his fobs.
So they knew about his secret pockets, but he still doesn't show the pockets to them, this might cause their distrust.
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wherein I had some little necessaries that were of no consequence to any but myself.
They might view these unknown objects as dangerous (even if they aren't).
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that this must be a work of time
He must prove he deserves his freedom, one good deed isn't going to set him free.
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: but again they considered that the stench of so large a carcase might produce a plague in the metropolis, and probably spread through the whole kingdom.
I love how this is the reason they mention in opposition to killing him. Other than the argument that he hasn't harmed anyone and it would be unjust to harm him.
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embroidered with figures of gold and silver.
Everyone seems to be dressed in wealth.
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I viewed the town on my left hand, which looked like the painted scene of a city in a theatre.
The whole time I was reading the description, I kept thinking how the scenes felt like a painting.
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turret
A small tower that is connected to a larger tower.
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These people are most excellent mathematicians, and arrived to a great perfection in mechanics
He keeps thinks he can escape by outdoing them in physical strength, but I think these people might be able to outsmart him.
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which probably might not be the worst they could do, and the promise of honor I made them
I wonder how long he's going to keep that promise.
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nd tasted like a small[9] wine of Burgundy, but much more delicious.
The foods seems distant from any food humans would know.
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I had reason to believe I might be a match for the greatest army they could bring against me, if they were all of the same size with him that I saw.
I think he's underestimating these people.
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I had the fortune to break the string
He references fortune a lot.
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I walked near a mile
I wonder if that's accurate or he's exaggerating because he's really weak.
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For my own part, I swam as fortune directed me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide
"As fortune directed me", I think he implies that he swam the direction that he felt was right.
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What became of my companions in the boat, as well as those who escaped on the rock, or were left in the vessel, I cannot tell, but conclude they were all lost.
He is the only survivor from the shipwreck.
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second daughter to Mr. Edmund Burton
Swift includes the line of childbirth several times in this story. Does it just show that no one are first born children (the child usually of the most importance)?
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studied physic two years and seven months, knowing it would be useful in long voyages
He studied a lot of medicine and science.
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and my father now and then sending me small sums of money
He came from a well off family, but his father definitely made his work for money.
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HE IS SHIPWRECKED
I wonder why he was taken prisoner. Was is just because he was a traveler that arrived in a new land?
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and at that word, cut a piece of flesh from his own throat, and threw it at ’em
There's a grueling image.
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No, Gentlemen, you are deceived; you will find no more Caesars to be whipped; no more find a faith in me: feeble as you think me, I have strength yet left to secure me from a second indignity
Caesar basically tells them they they aren't controlling him anymore.
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He found his brains turned round, and his eyes were dizzy, and objects appeared not the same to him they were wont to do; his breath was short, and all his limbs surprised with a faintness he had never felt before. He had not eat in two days
This could be due to his physical weakness or his grief.
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He found the heroic wife faster pleading for death that he was to propose it
Even death is better than slavery.
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especially Caesar, who was not perceived to make any moan, or to alter his face, only to roll his eyes on the faithless Governor
Caesar showed no physical reaction to his beating.
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and yourself, your wife, and child, if it be born here, shall depart free out of our land.
That's another lie.
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he put himself in a posture of defense, placing all the women and children in the rear;
He's very honorable, and saves the women and children first.
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But oh! consider we are husbands, and parents too, and have things more dear to us than life; our wives and children, unfit for travel in those unpassable woods, mountains, and bogs
They are loyal to Oroonoko but they point out that not all of their people could make the journey.
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harangue
A lengthy and sometimes aggressive speech.
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ut we had a perfect, open, and free trade with ’em
They only feared them because of their differences. Oroonoko seems to be the link that creates peace between people.
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some paper on fire with a burning-glass, a trick they had never before seen
Basic science is a "trick" to these new people.
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and asked if we had sense and wit? If we could talk of affairs of life and war, as they could do? If we could hunt, swim, and do a thousand things they use?
They seem confused by the fact that other people from other places in the world have the same knowledge about things that they do.
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came up to ’em, and offered ’em our hands
This is their way of signaling that they come in peace.
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and not a little ashamed to find he should be overcome by an eel, and that all the people who heard his defiance would laugh at him. But we cheered him
He's not one of those people who is obsessed with his reputation.
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Caesar used to laugh at this, and believed it impossible a man could lose his force at the touch of a fish
I'm guessing Oroonoko never experienced a animal like this is his own country.
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he killed a tiger which had long infested that part
This is the very first time that she's described his hunting abilities.
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Not all the gardens of boasted Italy
She seems to have a large geographic knowledge
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and though he suffered only the name of a slave
Just the name is enough.
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than lift his hand against his greatest enemy on that place
He's not going to attack anyone there to earn his freedom.
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but when they recovered their speech, ’tis not to be imagined what tender things they expressed to each other; wondering what strange fate had brought them again together
Such a beautiful description, that they are both so happy to see one another they are speechless for a few minutes.
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Caesar only applauded the nobleness of his passion and nature, since that slave might be noble, or, what was better, have true notions of honor and virtue in her
He doesn't praise the man for only showing basic decency to her.
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so beautiful
Everyone, no matter their race of the country seem to be drawn to both Clemene and Ceasar.
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Caesar; which name will live in that country as long as that (scarce more) glorious one of the great Roman
A very fitting name for him.
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And he promised him on his word and honor he would find the means to re-conduct him to his own country again;
Well we saw how well the last promise someone made to Oroonoko went.
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Trefry soon found he was yet something greater than he confessed; and from that moment began to conceive so vast an esteem for him that he ever after loved him as his dearest brother, and showed him all the civilities due to so great a man.
He seems to be off to a okay start, and seems to still be respected by the man.
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not putting any two in one
They won't even let anyone stay together.
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though nothing could divert his melancholy; and he would often sigh for Imoinda, and think this a punishment due to his misfortune, in having left that noble maid behind him, that fatal night, in the otan, when he fled to the camp.
He is still grieving the loss of his lover.
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believed in an instant what this man said
The idea of something "in a instant" is repeated here.
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nd set both him and his friends ashore on the next land they should touch
The captain manipulated Oroonoko, and promises him freedom to get them off of their hunger strike.
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and all in one instant
In one instant everything changed, they lost their freedom, power, and country.
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chagrin
Feelings of distress.
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The officers therefore
His people seem to care a great deal about him.
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heretical
Holding a opinion that is generally not popularized.
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Come, if we must die
They've accepted their death. No one is acknowledging that this could have all been avoided in the first place...
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maugre
In spite of. https://www.yourdictionary.com/maugre
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he had reason for what he did
I feel like the king is trying to get rid of his guilty conscience.
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She spoke this much against her conscience; but to save her own life, ’twas absolutely necessary she should feign this falsity.
She plays the role of a weak and fragile women, to outsmart the king and help Oroonoko.
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’Tis by the king’s command we are come; and being satisfied by thy voice, O Prince, as much as if we had entered, we can report to the king the truth of all his fears, and leave thee to provide for thy own safety, as thou art advised by thy friends.
She tells Oroonoko that this was all of the kings doing.
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Imoinda made a false step on purpose to fall into Oroonoko’s bosom
He knows that she did this on purpose.
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Nor were his eyes silent, but answered hers again
They know what the other means and is feeling by making eye contact.
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her heart was bursting within, and she was only happy when she could get alone, to vent her griefs and moans with sighs and tears.
She's beyond happy when she gets time to be alone- she is definitely very miserable.
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Force first prevailed, and then reason
He stopped his rage with his reason.
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he imagined who she meant, but would not seem to do so, but commanded her to lay aside her mantle
He doesn't care what she says.
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nor was used to the conversation of women
He seems to fall in love with her because of her intelligence, more than her looks.
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and the sweetness of her words and behavior while he staid
The descriptions of all characters takes time to describe them physically but also describes their character and that what seems to make them more attractive.
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Christendom; and would have confessed that Oroonoko was as capable even of reigning well, and of governing as wisely, had as great a soul, as politic maxims, and was as sensible of power, as any prince civilized in the most refined schools of humanity and learning, or the most illustrious courts
Everyone seems to respect Oroonoko.
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He came into the room, and addressed himself to me and some other women with the best grace in the world.
He didn't believe he was above anyone, and treated everyone the same.
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and do assure my reader, the most illustrious courts could not have produced a braver man, both for greatness of courage and mind
The author is vouching for Oroonoko.
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for that nation is very warlike and brave: and having a continual campaign, being always in hostility with one neighboring prince or other, they had the fortune to take a great many captives:
They took advantage of a country in bad conditions and captured their people for slaves.
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Those then whom we make use of to work in our plantations of sugar are negroes, black slaves altogether, who are transported thither in this manner.
This is the slavery that people generally think of, where it's driven by racial divide.
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caress ’em as friends, and not to treat ’em as slaves, nor dare we do other, their numbers so far surpassing ours in that continent.
They didn't initially treat them as slaves, but as equals.
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Those on that continent where I was had no king; but the oldest war-captain was obeyed with great resignation.
This implies to me that no one was born into power, you earned respect by your life actions.
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Governor, you are a liar, and guilty of that infamy.
The first problem arises...
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Indian maid; but all his courtship was to fold his arms, pursue her with his eyes, and sighs were all his language:
They had a respectful and romantic ways of wooing women, it doesn't seem like it was assertive in any way.
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trading with them for their fish, venison, buffalo’s skins, and little rarities; as marmosets, a sort of monkey, as big as a rat
They had a fair and equal partnership in the beginning.
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:
She is stating the truth, she never made assumptions or exaggerations about Oroonoko.
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. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed,
He uses a few different metaphors for food.
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use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules
feel like here he is pointing out that con of studying is when someone becomes ignorant and thinks they know everything.
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for ability.
This reminds me of the more modern idea that knowledge can never be taken away, unlike other abilities.
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not after examples of known attires; Turks, soldiers, mariners, and the like
He's not a fan of historical/ culturally accurate pieces.
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naturally take the sense, and not respect petty wonderments.
Dancing and singing on stage must seem naturally and it must come naturally from within.
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It is better to sound a person with whom one deals afar off, than to fall upon the point at first
It's better to sound less confident, then be too over confident that no one understands what you mean.
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deal by speech than by letter
We see this all the time in modern day, where someone misinterprets the tone or meaning of a text etc.
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.
This essay feels like a lesson against impatience people. Especially the pat where it mentioned that growth/profit wasn't going to come immediately.
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freedom
Freedom and free-will are common reoccurring themes throughout these essays.
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both because they ask less labour, and because they serve for meat as well as for bread;
I love this giant smile between the different kinds of people and food. It's makes this simplistic and easier to see logically and follow.
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where people are not displanted to the end to plant in others; for else it is rather an extirpation than a
He likes a fair, even, and equal plantation. Not one where some people might be prioritized over others.
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but now it is old, it begets fewe
Overpopulation? There are now fewer resources with there being more people.
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r.
I'm sure historically, Bacon was one of the few people who would publicly support (in a way) atheism.
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and in all superstition wise men follow fools; and arguments are fitted to practice, in a reversed order
Superstition causes everyone to doubt themselves.
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It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such an opinion as is unworthy of him; for the one is unbelief, the other is contumely; and certainly superstition is the reproach of the
This reminds of people in modern day who almost shame people for being religious, but claiming they are wasting their time etc.
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private answers to suitors
I feel like this is saying to not reveal someone else's private business (this could all really apply to today).
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for if thou dost not, it is a debt will sure be paid when thou art gone
You need to learn from others mistakes and your own mistakes, or the "debt" later will be failure again.
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do not drive away such as bring thee information as meddlers, but accept of them in good part.
You can learn something from everyone, if you take your time to help them.
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de facto
In Fact
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; but be not too positive and peremptory; and express thyself well when thou digressest from thy lure.
Don't be too optimistic, but be realistic.
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.
I feel like the author is warning everyone against becoming too power hungry.
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Men in great place are thrice servants; servants of the sovereign or state, servants of fame,
If you have a high ranking position then you a trapped and forced into keeping up your status constantly.
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ey are more cruel and hardhearted
Basically a marriage and children limit you financially but teach you patience and how to be nurturing,
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.
There are many different kinds of people who are unsatisfied with their lives about marriage, children, or remaining single.
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He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune
When you are married and have children you lose your free-will to whatever fortune holds for you.
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”
I like how he begins by asking what truth is and then goes and explain what it is not.
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serpent
Does the serpent have a religious connection here?
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.
This is a nice reminder about whether or not if it's okay to lie.
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carbuncle,
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But I cannot tell
He can't tell because then the reader will lose their freedom?
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lie’s sake
Basically a lie doesn't count for anything.
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free-wil
If something isn't done of your own free-will then it is not the truth.
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nd would not stay for an answe
I think this is hinting that after he gives his own explanation that audience can decide.
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labyrinth
I like the implication that love is like being lost in a labyrinth.
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As a child then, leave him crying;
Like a abandoned child.
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Never satisfied with having
Love always makes you want to have more.
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hip, on Goodwins* cast by wind The more she strives,
I think a metaphor of the ship might have been common. Like someone feels that have be thrown out to sea.
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But if he play, his gain is our lost will:
The "game" of love.
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Hope kills the heart
This is a very negative connotation with hope, normally when you think of hope it gives you a sense of peace or even happiness.
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False hope which feeds but to destroy, and spill
Reminds me of that quote: "Hope breeds internal misery".
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Take heed mine eyes, how you your looks do cast Lest* they betray my heart’s most secret thought
This is a fantastic phrasing of saying that once they made eye contact they fell in love.
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Love, and absence ne’er agree;
Love is personified again. It feels like he is calling for his lover more than love in general.
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Make not too long stay.
He seems to want love again, but doesn't want love for too long? Does this connect with the idea earlier that love is losing freedom.
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Not ceasing offerings to love while I live.
So he's open to the idea of loving again while he is alive.
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Like to the Indians, scorched with the sun, The sun which they do as their God adore,
It's interesting that Mary mentioned Indians, I wouldn't expect that to be in this kind of novel.
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But O my hurt makes my lost heart confess I love, and must: so farewell liberty
Falling in love is like losing your sense of freedom. That hold a negative connotation with it.
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‘Dear son, now shoot,
Is her son cupid?
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Venus, Queen of love
This is the first time I've ever heard Venus be referred to as a queen.
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And sleep, death’s image
Sleep is the closest thing to death.
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.
Repeats the calling of what is love? Love here is personified and made into something negative that only young and naive people would be involved with.
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may be I shall give you some counsel, and comfort in your sorrow.
Kind of bold of her to offer the be someone else's counsel when she couldn't help herself.
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”
She's hinting at the fact that he needs to find new happiness and live again because that would have made his lover happy.
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?
He seems to have lost his lover, while Urania never had one.
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the tears which distilled from his eyes; who seeming the image of death
That's a very powerful connection to make with tears.
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bee
Is this spelling intentional? Like a connection to nature?
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t.
This sonnet seems to just give the message of eternal misery and nothing more and no hope for anything better.
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delicate hands
There is a constant reminder of just how fragile she is.
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she fearing nothing, but the continuance of her ignorance, went in
She seems to have lost all sense of logical thinking.
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.
I like how in this story the point of view shifts from 3rd to 1st.
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But those that grieve, a grieving note do love ;
You have to love to have grief.
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worse art thou now than these thy lambs
She's so miserable because she has no one but her lambs.
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who for beauty deserved the highest stile could be given by best knowing judgements
Since she's so beautiful I bet a lot of people desire her.
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S.
I enjoyed the different aspects of feminism presented in this story, and I admire Amelia for writing these aspects in the time that she did. In the beginning when she was praising the queen so much I kept wondering if she was doing that so she could put in stronger aspects of feminism. If the queen was really flattered by her descriptions then they might let the bold statements about feminism slide. I especially loves her poem about Eve and her interpretation of the bible with e feminist view point. I think her rhyme scheme and phrasing is very beautiful at times and it offers powerful and emotionally moving descriptions.
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To shew that nothing’s free from Fortune’s scorne
Nothing (or no one) is free from the wheel of fortune. Which is why sometimes people are on top and then they are on the bottom of the wheel. I think at the time ( and present day) people love to think that we deserve what we get through our actions, but the questions that confused people was when good things happened to bad people, so the easiest thing to do was blame fortune.
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Yet this great wrong I neuer could repent
If this is her wrong, she refuses to repent for it.
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Of your depart, their very leaues did wither,
There's a connection between her and nature. Once she leave nature suffers.
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grieue, Hating blind Fortune, carelesse to releiue. And you sweet Cooke-ham, whom these Ladies leaue
I love the rhyme scheme at the end of each line here.
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Vnconstant Fortune, thou art most too blame
Fortune is inconsistent. Here is another story where Fortune is blamed.
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The pretty Birds would oft come to attend thee, Yet flie away for feare they should offend thee:
I feel like the bird might be a metaphor to women. They come and attend and leave when they are scared they might have offended someone (men).
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Oh how me thought each plant, each floure, each tree Set forth their beauties then to welcome thee!
I love this picture, that every plant and piece of nature is welcoming.
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her breast
Her breast= her heart. Her kindness (delights) came from her heart.
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.
I like this section a lot. i feel that it was very bold of her as a women to interpret the bible at this time.
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Her sinne was small, to what you doe commit;
I feel that this is saying that her sin is very small compared to what they've done now.
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vniustly
Unjustly
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Not Eue, whose fault was onely too much loue,
Eve's only fault was that she loved too much.
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But surely Adam cannot be excus’d,
This points to the double standard to me. Eve ( and women) were punished for her actions, yet men are easily forgiven for Adam's actions.
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by cunning was deceau’d, No hurt therein her harmlesse Heart intended
Eve had harmless intentions and she was deceived, and essentially she was wrongly punished.
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.
I like how in this section she is giving countless religious examples of Christian and Greek mythology of good women and how women were treated more equal before.
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sent a woman to declare his most glorious resurrection to the rest of his Disciples
So in the time of Christ, women were equally believed like men.
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,
This section is full of such feminism beliefs for the time period. Women want to be treated as equal with men, we don't hate men.
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.
I wonder if she is praising the queen so much because the queen is so well respected despite her gender.
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So Nature yeelds my Soule a sad delight.
Nature decides she cannot because a academic because she wasn't born the right gender- I'm sure this was a common belief at the time.
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.
Here Aemilia is saying that the queen has more knowledge than her, however I think Aemilia is lacking confidence and needs approval more than she needs knowledge.
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Starres
Another reference of stars/ the sky.
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blest my youth;
This is a very high honor to give the queen, considering the queen hasn't read this poem and may not know of Aemilia.
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The Naturall, the Morall, and Diuine, I hope how plaine soeuer, beeing true,
This whole time she's been very fond of the queen. I like how she's praising the queens character and not her appearance, I think that's a benefit of a women to women story.
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In the meane time, accept most gratious Queene
Here it seems like she is equating the queen as someone who is a piece of heaven herself.
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