THE AGE OF REASON

To call the 18th century the Age of Reason is to seize on a useful half-truth but to cause confusion in the general
picture, because the primacy of reason had also been a mark of certain periods of the previous age. It is more accurate
to say that the 18th century was marked by two main impulses: reason and passion. The respect paid to reason was
shown in pursuit of order, symmetry, decorum, and scientific knowledge; the cultivation of the feelings stimulated
philanthropy, exaltation of personal relationships, religious fervour, and the cult of sentiment, or sensibility.
In literature the rational impulse fostered satire, argument, wit, plain prose; the other inspired the psychological
novel and the poetry of the sublime.

MAJOR LITERARY THEMES

- Rational Poetry
- Literature as Criticism
- Bringing back the Greeks

Francis Bacon
- Francis Bacon, in full Francis Bacon, Viscount Saint Alban, also called (1603–18) Sir Francis Bacon, (born
January 22, 1561, York House, London, England—died April 9, 1626, London), lord chancellor of England
(1618–21)
- A lawyer, statesman, philosopher, and master of the English tongue, he is remembered in literary terms for the
sharp worldly wisdom of a few dozen essays.
- Francis Bacon is a major figure in early British literature. This man has proven to be instrumental in the
development of the Scientific Revolution in the late 18th century even though his demise took place centuries
before. Furthermore, experts of the English language hold Francis Bacon essays in high esteem.

Bacon’s Writing Styles

- Francis Bacon, in writing, made use of metaphors, analogies, and vivid imagery. He was a rhetorical
professional writer.  Also, the essays of Francis Bacon highlight his incisive mind and his wisdom.
- Francis Bacon essays rely heavily on ancient Roman wisdom through the use of axioms and proverbs.
Additionally, Bacon uses wit to get his point across to his target audience. Also, the use of wit makes readers
reflect on their own values and beliefs.

Major Themes of Bacon’s Works

- Truth and Perception - Life

- Life - Systematic approach to knowledge
- Culture and community Obstacles - Relationships
- Studies and insights

Works of Bacon

• The Elements of the Common Laws of • New Atlantis

England • Novum Organum
• Maxims of the Law • The Advancement of Learning
• The Wisdom of the Ancients • The Essays

Bacon’s Works Descriptions

The Advancement of Learning

 • This is the first critical edition since the nineteenth century of Bacon’s principal philosophical work in
English.
• This authoritative critical edition is based upon the collation and analysis of the original editions.
Its comprehensive introduction examines Bacon’s appraisal of the current state of learning and his
efforts to involve his contemporaries in his programme to reform and advance learning.
New Atlantis

• New Atlantis is a novel by Francis Bacon, first published in 1627. It is an allegorical work that presents a
vision of a utopian society, in which scientific research and reason are highly valued and used to improve the
lives of the citizens. The novel is set on the fictional island of Bensalem, which is described as a perfect
society.

The Wisdom of the Ancients

• The Wisdom of the Ancients, published in 1609, gives Francis Bacon's commentary on 31 mythological
figures, whose separate stories he interprets in the light of what he famously called the new learning.
• Bacon's philosophy of matter and motion in The Wisdom changes mythological history to harmonize with
Christianity, but only sparingly, and for the purposes of the new sciences.

Novum Organum

• The Novum Organum was developed as a guiding plan or template; it was a philosophy for getting as close as
possible to the truth found in the world and nature.
• The document itself was designed very intentionally with precise instructions concerning how one might
remove thoughts and assumptions that would mar a scientific outcome, while simultaneously guiding the
observer into the best methods for gathering facts and data.

Maxims of the Law

• Legal maxims are of the same strength as that of acts and statutes and Francis Bacon who in the preface to his
book collection of maxims stated that maxims would be used in deciding doubts, and helping soundness of
judgment, but, further, in gracing argument, in correcting unprofitable subtlety, and reducing the same to a
more sound and substantial sense of law, in reclaiming vulgar errors, and, generally, in the amendment in
some measure of the very nature and complexion of the whole law lead to the evolution of legal maxims.

The Elements of the Common Laws of England

• The Elements of the Common Laws of England is the general title for a work that is comprised of two
different treatises: A Collection of Some Principall Rules and Maximes of the Common Lawes of
England and The Use of the Law, Provided for the Preservation of Our Persons, Goods and Good Names.

THE ESSAYS

• Bacon's book explores philosophical, political, moral, and social questions. Bacon wrote at the dawn of the
essay form and is considered one of its inventors.
• In Essays, the title of each composition is succinct and defines the topic of the essay. "Of Truth" explores the
objective nature of truth. "Of Youth and Age" explores the dichotomies between the elderly and the young.
"Of Empire" probes the utility and morality of England's burgeoning empire.
• Bacon alludes to dozens of other influential philosophers, theologians, and political thinkers in his writing.
THE ESSAYS SUMMARY
• Sir Francis Bacon first published Essays in 1597. Bacon released a second expanded version of Essays in
1625, and it is this publication that most scholars read today. Consisting of fifty-eight short essays, Bacon's
book explores an eclectic mix of philosophical, political, moral, and social questions. Bacon wrote at the dawn
of the essay form and, along with his French contemporary Michel de Montaigne, is considered one of its
inventors. Although each of Bacon's essays explores a different theme, there are broad patterns that can be
used to summarize Bacon's work.
• In Essays, the title of each composition is succinct and defines the topic of the essay. All except one of
Bacon's titles begin with the preposition "Of," followed by the topic under examination in the essay. For
 example, "Of Truth" explores the objective nature of truth, as "Of Youth and Age" explores the dichotomies
between the elderly and the young. "Of Empire" similarly probes the utility and morality of England's
burgeoning empire. This makes it easy for a casual reader to select an essay of interest to them.
• It is impossible to read Bacon without being impressed by his extensive knowledge on such a wide variety of
topics. Bacon alludes to dozens of other influential philosophers, theologians, and political thinkers in his
writing.
• Another common factor for Essays is that Bacon uses Latin extensively in his work. With a few exceptions,
each of the fifty-eight compositions includes at least one use of a Latin phrase or a direct quote from a Roman
philosopher or historian.
• One of the most interesting aspects of reading Essays in its entirety is the tonal shift from essay to essay.
Bacon swings from deadly serious to jocular as he jumps from subject to subject. For example, his tone in "Of
Truth" is philosophical and academic. In "Of Marriage and Single Life," Bacon opens his essay with a
lighthearted jab at family life:
• Bacon's understated humor is partly why Essays remains so popular. These tonal shifts from subject to subject
are important to bear in mind: not every essay is intended to be gravely serious. Bacon's essay anthology
explores a variety of topics but never fails to raise insightful commentary on the social, political, and
philosophical issues of his day.

THE ESSAYS ANALYSIS

• Essays by Francis Bacon is exactly that: a collection of essays that detail his ideas and musings on philosophy,
morality, life, and much, much more. Francis Bacon's most prominent feature was his masterful ability to
twist turns of phrase using his wit. Many phrases and sayings have been plucked from the pages of
his Essays and are still in common use today
• A summarized list will not do justice to the breadth of topics in this work, but some ideas he touches on
include truth, death, revenge, religion, marriage, love, envy, travel, empires, wisdom, boldness, superstition,
health, finance, friendship, education, beauty, and gardening, to name a few.
• His work focuses mainly on the related ideas of truth, love, and unity. Each of the separate essays focuses on a
specific theme, but they all generally delineate ideas about how to be a good and morally upright being—as
well as ideas on how to seek after and follow truth.

THE ESSAYS SIGNIFICANCE

• There was a deviation of Francis Bacon essays writing from the typical Ciceronian style of the time.
Furthermore, the characteristics of the Ciceronian style were forceful presentation, clarity, and melodious
language. Most noteworthy, the reason why his statements are meaningful is that they go straight to the point
without any unnecessary details.
• The brevity of his ideas makes possible an efficient communication of his arguments. This was certainly
significant at the time because it was difficult to attain meaningful education. Therefore, Francis Bacon essays
were useful in spreading the notion of solid and meaningful education, which would eventually prove useful
during the Scientific Revolution.

THE ESSAYS CONCLUSION

• Although the essays naturally reflect a lifetime of experience, they do so in general, not in particular. One
looks in vain for reports of adventures and misadventures at court—and Bacon had many of both. 
• One realizes that in the Essays Bacon gave up the roles that ambition made him play. In his contemplative
moments, he sought to satisfy a twofold goal: to present the wisdom of his living, the wisdom that comes from
experience and reflection on it, and to make this presentation by means of a style designed to be economical
and ornamental at the same time.

FAMOUS QOUTES OF FRANCIS BACON

 “Some books are to be tasted, others be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested, that is,
some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read
wholly and with diligence and attention”
 “He that hath wife and children hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediments to great
enterprises, either of virtue or mischief.” - Of Marriage and Single Life
 “Wives are young men’s mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men’s nurses.”– Of
Marriage and Single Life
 “Children sweeten labors; but they make misfortunes more bitter. They increase the cares of life; but
they mitigate the remembrance of death. The perpetuity by generation is common to beasts; but
memory, merit and noble works, are proper to men.” – Of Parents and Children
 “If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with
doubts, he shall end in certainties.” - Advancement of Learning