Discussion Questions

L2 / L3 / L4 / L5 / L6 / L7 / L8

1. What do you think of Dryden’s distinction between Shakespeare and Dryden? Do you think his decision is based on sound critical principles. Based on what you’ve read of the Essay.

2. How would you characterize Shaftesbury based on your reading of A&A

3. What did you think of the temptation of Absalom? What sources do you think Dryden might have drawn on? Did it remind you of anything?

4. We’ve discussed the Divine Right of Kings. How does Dryden link fatherhood and kingly authority in this poem, and how does that shape what he writes?

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Lesson 3

1. How do you reconcile the nastiness and misogyny of Sackville’s poems to the countesses with the image of the fun-loving and noble cavalier?

2. How are Sackville’s poems products of their time?

3. In ”Satire on Mankind” Rochester argues that we are no better than animals, and indeed, considerably worse. How does he shape his argument in order to convince us of its rightness?

4. How effective is the satire in the poem?

5. The poem about Charles II is rude and crude, but it makes a political point. Is the point clear enough? Why or why not?

6. What do you make of the bitterness of the final couplet in the poem?

7. Briefly compare and contrast Rochester’s “The Imperfect Enjoyment” and Behn’s “The Disappointment.” List a few points of interest between the two.

8. Behn’s poems were called pornographic by some of her contemporaries. (“The Disappointment” and “To Lucinda” where “juicier” examples.) What do you think? Was the label more because of her gender or her writing?

9. She calls her poem, “On Desire” an ode. Is it one? Why? How seriously is she treating the subject?

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Lesson 4

1. What do you make of Dorimant? Some call him a pure Machiavellian character. What’s your opinion. Is he bad or good?

2. If we read beyond the ending of the play, do you think Harriet will ever marry Dorimant? Why or why not?

3. What kind of character is Manley? Is he a figure of ridicule or the hero who speaks for the author’s own cynicism?

4. What ”lessons” are to be learned from Horner? Are we meant to admire him?

5. Bonus question, just in case: The Plain Dealer is a difficult play to read and imagine. What do you make of the last act?

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Lesson 5

1. What is the burden that Christian is carrying?

2. What is the metaphoric meaning of the ”Slough of Despond”? Why do you think Bunyan felt a need to address this issue?

3. After reading the section on Vanity Fair, how do you think Bunyan defines ”vanity”?

4. How does Bunyan view Ignorance’s effect on the soul?

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Lesson 6

1. Does the ”Argument” before Book 1 help you any? Why or why not?

2. Rewrite the first sentence of the poem in standard English. You may change words in order to clarify.

3. Based on the description you’ve read so far, describe Satan.

4. After reading Book 3, The Council in Heaven, do you think you understand the Christian concept of God’s grace?

5. What has been your favorite section of the poem so far (sections up until book 9)? Why?

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Lesson 7

1. Do you find any example of the “two contrary faults” of Locke’s writing in the excerpt of the Essay? What do you make of it? Do they hinder your understanding of the Essay?

2. What might Wilmot comment on Locke’s idea of human understanding based on the reason that he despises? Which one would you side with? Why?

3. Based on your reading of Locke’s Essay. What’s the difference between “determinate” and “determined”?

4. According to Astell, what are the possible reasons for men to marry women? What is her attitude toward the men who fit into these categories?

5. What is the solution Astell propose to protect women from getting hurt by the marriage?

6. Would Locke agree with Astell’s reflections upon marriage? Do you consider Astell’s reasons for men’s marrying women valid or invalid?

7. Is Astell the type of woman Sackville likes? What might they comment on each other?

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Lesson 8

1. What is your opinion on “A Description of a City Shower? What do you think might be the reason that Swift offers a picture of a city in rain for his readers?

2. In the introduction on page 2009, it says that Swift thinks that man is, instead of a rational animal, only an animal capable of reason. Can you find some points in “A Digression” to support this viewpoint?

3. How do you explain the vapor in “A Digression”?

4. In “Abolishing of Christianity in England,” how do you characterize the narrator? Is he for or against the abolishing of Christianity? In what way(s) or devices does Swift successfully satirize his society in this argument?

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