British Literature 1
British Literature 1
British Literature 1
British Literature 1
Mid-Term Test
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Thừa Thiên Huế, tháng 11/2023
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Question 1: If you were the addressee of “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love”, how
would you respond to his promises? Write a short letter as a response to the shepherd.
Dear Shepherd,
I was delighted to receive the love letter you sent me. Your words painted a vivid picture of a
passionate love story and a bright future. Honestly, I must admit that your promises are very
However, as I read your poem, I pondered and deliberated for a long time. I couldn't help but
wonder whether this love truly exists in the flow of time. Is it as enduring as you claim? Can
Furthermore, I believe that love is the resonance of two hearts. It goes beyond beautiful
encompassing understanding, connection, passion, trust, and forgiveness. Are you willing to
Lastly, I must confess that while your words have sparked curiosity and interest in me, I
remain cautious and unwilling to surrender my heart without a clear understanding of your
sincerity. Can you assure me that you will love me forever and be willing to do anything for
me? I seek reassurance that you will fulfill the promises you've made and treat me sincerely.
Sincerely,
Hazel
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Question 2: F. Scott Fitzgerald once said: “That is part of the beauty of all literature.
You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you're not lonely and
isolated from anyone. You belong.” In relation to at least two of the texts in the course
book, please provide an essay (at least 2500 words) to elaborate on this idea.
As the reader immerses themselves in the narratives, stories become mirrors reflecting
their own longings, fears, and aspirations back at them. At the heart of these universal
longings lies the inherent need for a sense of belonging. F. Scott Fitzgerald aptly stated, "That
is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings,
that you're not lonely and isolated from anyone. You belong." Fitzgerald's quote about the
beauty of literature emphasizes that human longings and emotions are shared, not just
individual. Through literature, we realize that people have similar dreams, desires, and love.
We don't feel lonely and isolated but rather belong to a larger community. Through fictional
worlds, readers realize that their own longings are shared by countless others, fostering a
Literature has long been celebrated for its ability to traverse boundaries and bridge gaps
of time, culture, and experience. Among the myriad themes explored in literature, one that
resonates deeply with readers across the globe is the concept of universal longings and the
innate sense of belonging that it evokes. Throughout the ages, writers have captured the
essence of human longing—an inherent part of the human condition. These yearnings
encompass a range of emotions and desires, such as love, acceptance, connection, power, and
social status. In the realm of literature, by presenting characters grappling with their own
longings, writers create a relatable space for readers to explore their own desires and
aspirations.
In British Literature 1, the themes of universal longings and the sense of belonging can
be found in literary works from different genres and time periods. Prominently, there are
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several works such as Sonnet 29, The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare and
Elizabeth Browning’s Sonnet 43 that vividly portray the shared longings, emotions, and
desires of humanity.
In Sonnet 29, It can be said that this profound insight's F. Scott Fitzgeral applies aptly to
Sonnet 29 by William Shakespeare, which explores themes of longing, isolation, and the
desire for acceptance. This essay will delve into the universality of such longings in the
sonnet and how it fosters a sense of belonging among readers. Sonnet 29 opens with the
speaker's expression of disgrace, isolation, and a yearning for acceptance. The lines, "When,
in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes, / I all alone beweep my outcast state," convey a
profound sense of desolation and a longing to be recognized and valued. These emotions
resonate with readers universally, as the longing for acceptance and the fear of isolation are
emotions allows readers to connect with the speaker's plight, realizing that their own longings
are shared by others. Through the sonnet's imagery and vivid language, Shakespeare captures
the essence of the universal human experience. The speaker's feelings of inadequacy and
isolation transcend time, culture, and individual differences. Regardless of one's background
or circumstances, the desire to be esteemed and valued is an inherent part of being human.
Sonnet 29 serves as a poignant reminder that these longings are not isolated or unique, but
rather part of the broader tapestry of the human condition. In reading the sonnet, individuals
discover that their longings are universal, connecting them to a collective experience.
Literature acts as a powerful bridge between the individual and the broader human
experience. It allows readers to delve into the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of
characters and speakers, forging a connection that transcends time and place. Sonnet 29
exemplifies this bridge by immersing readers in the speaker's inner world, enabling them to
empathize with their struggles and longings. Through the act of reading, individuals realize
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that they are not alone in their yearnings and that literature provides a sense of belonging by
affirming the shared nature of these longings. Empathy and identification play a vital role in
fostering a sense of belonging through literature. As readers engage with the speaker's
emotions and experiences in Sonnet 29, they develop a deep sense of empathy. They
recognize their own vulnerabilities, insecurities, and desires mirrored in the speaker's words.
This recognition creates a profound connection, as readers realize that their longings are not
isolated or abnormal but part of the rich tapestry of human emotions. Through the power of
identification, literature reassures individuals that they are not lonely or isolated in their
longings but belong to a larger community of shared experiences. Sonnet 29 also explores the
redemptive power of love, further reinforcing the universal nature of human longings. The
speaker's shift in tone and perspective, as they reflect on the memory of their beloved,
highlights the transformative effect of love on one's state of mind. The lines, "For thy sweet
love remembered such wealth brings / That then I scorn to change my state with kings,"
emphasize that the memory of love brings profound contentment and surpasses worldly
riches. This revelation resonates with readers, as the longing for love and connection is a
fundamental aspect of the human experience. F. Scott Fitzgerald's assertion that literature
reveals universal longings and fosters a sense of belonging finds resonance in Sonnet 29.
Through the exploration of the speaker's longing, isolation, and ultimate redemption through
love, readers discover the shared nature of their own longings. Literature serves as a powerful
bridge, connecting individuals across time and cultures, and offering solace in the realization
that they are not alone. As readers immerse themselves in the universal human experience
depicted in Sonnet 29, they find comfort, validation, and a profound sense of belonging in the
F. Scott Fitzgerald's insightful words also illuminate the profound beauty of literature by
emphasizing its capacity to reveal the universal nature of our longings and dispel the sense of
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loneliness and isolation. When applied to Sonnet 43, one of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's
most celebrated works, Fitzgerald's sentiment finds poignant resonance. Through the
exploration of love and emotional connection in the sonnet, readers are confronted with the
recognition that their own desires and yearnings are shared by humanity at large, fostering a
profound sense of belonging. Sonnet 43 encapsulates the essence of our universal longings
through its exploration of love in its most transcendent form. The opening lines, "How do I
love thee? Let me count the ways," immediately invite readers into a world where the
speaker's love is boundless and immeasurable. In these words, we find a reflection of our own
longing for a love that knows no limits, a desire to love and be loved in a way that transcends
the boundaries of time and space. Browning's choice to address the beloved directly, speaking
in a voice that is intimate and personal, allows readers to connect with the speaker on a
deeply emotional level. As we read the sonnet, we are reminded that our own longings for
love, affection, and connection are not unique or isolated but are part of the universal human
serves as a powerful testament to the enduring power of literature to bridge the gaps between
individuals and cultures. Browning's words, crafted with precision and grace, transcend the
confines of time and space, resonating with readers across generations. The sonnet becomes a
vessel through which readers from different backgrounds, experiences, and time periods can
find solace and a sense of belonging. In the exploration of love's depth and the longing for a
profound connection, readers discover that their own experiences are not isolated or singular
but are part of a collective tapestry of human emotion. The sonnet's ability to evoke such
powerful emotions and evoke a shared sense of longing creates a space where readers can
find comfort, reassurance, and kinship. Moreover, Sonnet 43 exemplifies how literature
serves as a mirror that reflects our deepest desires and affirms our shared humanity. The
speaker's words evoke images and emotions that resonate with readers on a deeply personal
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level. Browning's skillful use of vivid imagery, metaphors, and language allows readers to
immerse themselves in the speaker's world, experiencing the intensity of their love and
longing. As we engage with the sonnet, we come to realize that the emotions and desires
expressed are not confined to the speaker alone but are part of the collective longing of
humanity. In this realization, we find solace and comfort, knowing that our own longings are
not isolated or peculiar, but are shared by others who have walked similar paths throughout
history. Consequently, F. Scott Fitzgerald's profound words remind us of the inherent beauty
of literature and its ability to unveil the universal nature of our longings. When applied to
Sonnet 43, we witness how Elizabeth Barrett Browning's exploration of love and connection
resonates with readers, revealing the shared experiences and desires that bind humanity
together. Through the sonnet, readers come to realize that their own longings are not isolated,
but part of a collective human tapestry. In this recognition, a profound sense of belonging is
fostered, and the transformative power of literature to alleviate loneliness and isolation is
that, through its pages, we discover that we are not alone in our longings, and that we, indeed,
belong.
Macbeth, we are able to witness the profound truth encapsulated in Fitzgerald’s words. The
play begins with the entrance of the three “weird sisters” as they are later called. The gloomy
setting, representing both the rugged Scottish countryside and the more general human
condition, establishes the dark tone. The witches speak in short rhyming verses that mimic
the chanting of a spell. Their language contains imagery of witchcraft and tumultuous
weather, evoking thunder, lightning, rain, fog, and “filthy air.” The lines “When the battle's
lost and won” and “Fair is foul and foul is fair” are most significant. On one level, these
paradoxical statements match our expectations for mystical witches. However, the lines also
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introduce a theme that runs throughout the play: the difficulty of discerning truth from
falsehood in a world where events are often ambiguous and confusing. In short, the opening
scene establishes the mystical, foreboding atmosphere and ambiguous nature of truth that will
characterize the drama through the witches' dramatic entrance, eerie poetic speech, and
paradoxical language. This sets the stage for the play's examination of the obscured
boundaries between truth and deception, honesty and ambition, nobility and ruthlessness. The
three witches who open Shakespeare's Macbeth tap into universal human longings for
belonging. The witches created an atmosphere of mystery and unease. We are fascinated and
filled with foreboding at the same time when they talk of thunderstorms and prohibited deeds.
Their mysterious words evoke a wide range of feelings that are shared by all people,
including fear, amazement, and awareness of our own inner darkness. The witches, although
hinting to Macbeth's seclusion and demise, also give voice to our common desire for
connection. The witches inspire both dread and allure when they announce their meeting in
the fog and storm. Their discussion of the supernatural draws us in while also producing
dramatic tension. We are lured to revelations and enticed by secrets, just like the witches,
even though they could make us uncomfortable.Through the protagonist of Macbeth, we also
learned that these longings are common human desires. Macbeth's initial ambition to become
king is a reflection of a common human yearning for recognition and success. His desire,
while extreme, taps into a fundamental part of the human condition—the longing to rise
above one's circumstances and leave a mark on the world. This desire is not unique to
Macbeth; it has been expressed by many people throughout history. Shakespeare's depiction
of Macbeth's ambition serves as a helpful reminder that our goals are not unique to ourselves
and that they are a part of the larger human experience.In addition, Macbeth's anguish and his
guilt over his deeds serve to emphasize how universal human emotions are. We see his inner
agony and the weight of his remorse as he considers the ramifications of his actions. This
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internal conflict is a reflection of the psychological toll that regret has on a person's wellbeing
and the universal human experience of regret. Shakespeare's depiction of Macbeth's guilt and
its disastrous consequences serves as a reminder that humans are not the only ones who
experience negative feelings like guilt, regret, and hopelessness. They are a part of the
common human experience, and we might find comfort in the knowledge that others have
struggled with similar feelings by reading literature.In Act 5 senne 1, Lady Macbeth's speech
shows her mind has fragmented under enormous emotional pressure. The once composed and
controlling wife has been reduced to a raving, incoherent wreck. Her words no longer connect
logically, suggesting her rational faculties have failed. She jumps disjointedly between
memories without sequential order. For example, her cry of “Out damned spot!” is bizarrely
followed by a reference to Lady Macduff. She seems to conflate all the murders into one
endless bloodbath. Ironically, Lady Macbeth unknowingly echoes Macbeth's earlier line
about the impossibility of washing away blood guilt. Her obsessive hand-washing gestures
further signal her inner torment. In stark contrast to the assured social hostess she once was,
Lady Macbeth has disintegrated into a gibbering, guiltridden shell. Her fractured speech
signifies a mind utterly devastated by the weight of conscience.Lady Macbeth expresses the
helpless agony of attempting to wash away sin. This hopelessness is ritually enacted by her
desperate handwashing. As she compulsively washes invisible blood stains from her hands,
we witness her harrowing descent into madness from her crimes. Yet this dramatic scene also
taps into universal human emotions. We feel uneasy witnessing the fragmentation of her
mind, but also empathize with her suffering. Her desperate ritual of hand-washing resonates
with our inner desire to cleanse ourselves morally. Even in her strongest moments early in the
play, Lady Macbeth is unable to shake the gnawing guilt. Her broken psyche effectively
portrays the loneliness of carrying guilt by yourself. Shame stings and regret corrodes, as we
are all aware. The anguish of Lady Macbeth reveals how frail we are all in the face of
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morality. Her shattered speech reveals every heart's aching form. So while solitude and
insanity isolate Lady Macbeth, her “spotted” hands reveal the ties binding all human hearts.
Consequently, the play delves into the depths of the human psyche, exploring themes of
ambition, power, guilt, and the consequences of unchecked desires. Through the characters
and their struggles, Macbeth showcases the universal longings that connect us all, reminding
In conclusion, through the three typical works Sonnet 29,and Macbeth by Shakespeare,
Elizabeth Browning’s Sonnet 43 as well as Fitzgerald's quote, they all create a connection
and awareness of the shared longings and emotions of humanity through literature. This
somewhat contributes to demonstrating that literature is the bridge of emotions, of the soul.
They show that despite differences in time and writing style, the hearts and souls of people
still carry similar dreams and emotions. Literature connects human beings with the realm of
the soul in a profound and extraordinary way. In that realm, we are not alone; we are shared,
understood, and accepted. Each of our emotional values is alike, holding universal belongs,
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