Impact of Social, Cultural and Political Traits on the Literature of the Era - Essay Example

Impact of Social, Cultural and Political Traits on the Literature of the Era It has aptly been d that literature is the mirror of the prevailing culture of a society and describes the characteristics existing in a specific region or community during the specific era. A refined piece of art and literature maintains ability of elaborating each and every aspect of the society including political establishment, social norms, cultural values, religious cults, traditions, customs and festivals observed and adopted by the people of the society in which that literary piece had been created. Hence, if an author has gifted talent of expressing the cultural traits with keen surveillance and observation by painting the picture of society in an imitative mode, it surely gives birth to a fascinating and heart-melting literature in its wake that remains the centre of the readers’ attention for the future centuries to come. The same can be witnessed by going through the works created by William Shakespeare, Alexander Pope and Jane Austen at different occasions and by living under different circumstances and social environment. Sir William Shakespeare is one of the greatest playwrights and poets the world has ever produced. His wonderful works display his great command over the pointing out the minute objects in the environment on the one hand, and his dexterity over understanding the human nature, sentiments, feelings and emotions on the other. His famous play under the title Henry VIII portrays the political, social and cultural aspects of the Middle Ages England in a vivid way. Middle Ages was the epoch when the King of England had unlimited powers, which he used for his own purposes. There were least restriction of marriage for the Crown, and king could divorce his consort after seeking formal permission from the Pope. In addition, there remained a large number of attendants in the service of king, queen, princes and princesses. The play Henry VIII has been fashioned within the historical standpoint, where the political, domestic and quixotic aspects of the life of the Tudor King Henry VIII have been discussed keeping in view the entire socio-political scenario prevailing in Shakespeare’s England. Though the play has been written on real characters, yet Shakespeare has made some amendments while portraying the situation and molded it to the Elizabethan perspective, because the playwright had fears lest the depiction of exact account of the cruelties inflicted by the parents of Queen Elizabeth I, i.e. King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boleyn on Queen Catherine of Aragon, might exasperate and annoy the Queen. It is therefore, Shakespeare has drawn out the historical narration in such a way that could be acceptable for all members of the then royal family on the one hand, and for both the supporters of Queen Catherine and Queen Anne on the other. The play very successfully draws out the prevailing political culture of the Middle Ages, when the royalty prevailed in England, and the King had all the powers that has been delegated to the parliament contemporary era. Not only this that the play draws out the royal system of government, but also points out the nature and strength of conspiracies, intrigues and rivalries had been in vogue in the royal courts during the Middle Ages, where the courtiers had been under strict influence of the King, and were unable to differ with the King. If any courtier objects to any action of the Crown, he had to pay ransom amount out of his ‘blunder mistake’ of objecting the royal action, as the play states about the pathetic situation the Duke of Buckingham undergoes due to the intrigues being knitted against him in the royal court, which the play describes in these words: “The devil speed him! no mans pie is freed From his ambitious finger. What had he To do in these fierce vanities? I wonder That such a keech can with his very bulk Take up the rays o the beneficial sun And keep it from the earth.” (Act I, Scene I) The play also throws light on the social and matrimonial aspects of the royal family, where King Henry displays cruelty and insisted on divorcing Queen Katherine, who had spent 24 long years with him. The play narrates her miserable plight and humble plea against the same in these words: “I am a most poor woman and a stranger, Born out of your dominions: having here, No judge indifferent, nor no more assurance, Of equal friendship and proceeding.” (Act II, scene IV) Shakespeare’s great tragedy Hamlet also point out the conspiracies prevailing in the royal courts of middle Ages, where King Claudius kills Hamlet’s father and marries his mother Queen Gertrude. Hamlet is so annoyed on her mother’s marrying King Claudius that he says in soliloquy that ‘even a beast can wait more than this.’ And on another occasion, he blames his mother of becoming the part of conspiracy devised by King Claudius to take possession of crown, throne and queen of Hamlet’s father. Hence, Shakespearean plays concentrate upon royal families, which was the spectator of the plays staged by the playwrights. (Anthology of English Literature) In addition, the plays reveal the role played and performed by the courtiers during that era, which completely portrays the socioeconomic aspects of the Middle Ages along with the political and domestic situations of that era. Polonius’s character in Hamlet and Queen Anne Boleyn’s character in Henry VIII indicates the level of intrigues being committed under the very nose of royal administration. Being the true mirror of society, and representing the era under which the literature has been produced, a prose or poem maintains the ability in respect of describing the entire scenario of existing culture in a vivid way. The same is applied while going through the wonderful works of Alexander Pope belonging to the Restoration Period. His masterpiece under the title The Rape of the Lock not only draws out the prevailing social norms and its flaws, but also it draws out the hypocrisy prevailing in Restoration Period. The protagonist character i.e. Belinda is thought to be the most glamorous character the literature has ever produced, and the poem brilliantly expresses the level of her vanity and pride. When music softens, and when dancing fires? T is but their Sylph, the wise celestials know, Though honour is the word with men below. "Some nymphs there are, too conscious of their face, For life predestined to the Gnomes embrace. These swell their prospects, and exalt their pride, When offers are disdaind, and love denied: (Rape of the Lock, Canto I) The poem depicts the existence of aristocracy and the everyday activities of the elite stratum of society. The serving of attendants, arrangement of parties, card playing, mocking and jokes and social intrigues existing in aristocracy successfully portray every color present in the canvas of Restoration Era. It also points out that the era was enjoying economic prosperity and people had enough time for recreation and amusement during their leisure hours. Like Rape of the Lock, the main theme of almost all the poems written by Pope is woman and romance, which shows that love, romance and parties were in vogue in Restoration period. His Of the Lady Who Could Not Sleep In a Stormy Night also describes the lovers’ passion and anxiety for beloveds. In this short poem, the poet has successfully elaborated all the cultural traits in few lines, which shows his master of command over the events. (Anthology of English Literature) The innocent novelist of late 18th century i.e. Jane Austen has won unabated popularity and applause from all literary corners because of her modest ideas, unique diction, command over observing every aspect of life, sophisticated mannerism and super imagination. She has wonderfully pointed out the parents’ concerns regarding the marriage of their daughters. Her Pride and Prejudice encompasses all the social and political traits prevailing in the England of late 18th century. Her description of balls and dances, drinks and dinners, romantic adventures, long walks, cards playing, love for books, ready wittedness and use of irony and delicate thoughtfulness make her novels a complete mirror of her society. (Anthology of English Literature) The novel also indicates towards the process of legal inheritance, where property goes to distant relatives if the owner has no male heir, as Mr. Bennett’s property transfers to Collinwood. Thus, the novel successfully encompasses the cultural, social, religious traits on the one hand, socioeconomic position of the people at large on the other. Darcy’s character left indelible imprints on the readers, and the future writers imitated the same while producing their works. Read More