"The Spectator" by Addison and Steele: Study of Life and Manners
Observations on Society: Exploring Life and Etiquette in "The Spectator"
The Far-Reaching Influence of The Spectator Essays: Transforming Literature, Language, and Society in the 18th Century
(5)The Spectator is remembered mainly as one of the founders of the modern familiar essays and as a prose style of polish, grace, and elegance.
The Spectator and The Tatler: Pioneers of 18th-Century Periodical Literature
The Spectator: Unmasking Deception and Advocating Simplicity in Life
March 1, 1711, the first number of The Spectator came out." The general purpose of this paper," said the dedication," is to expose the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cunning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and our behaviour." There was to be no political news, a significant fact; and it was proved by the instantaneous success of the papers that there was a place for the strictly literary magazine. His best essays approach near to absolute perfection; nor is their excellence more wonderful than their variety. . . . On the Monday we have an allegory as lively and ingenious as Lucian's Auction of Lives; on the Tuesday, an Eastern apologue, as richly colored as the tales of Scheherazade; on the Wednesday, a character described with the skill of La Bruyere; on the Thursday, a scene from common life, equal to the best chapters in the Vicar of Wakefield; on the Friday, some sly Horatian pleasantry on fashionable follies, on hoops, patches, or puppet shows; and on the Saturday, a religious meditation, which will bear a comparison with the finest pages of Massillon.The Spectator's Influence on Social Morality
The Spectator: Illuminating the Life and Manners of the Period
In reading these Spectator papers, the life and manners of the period comes into the limelight. Here is such varied subjects as the status of the country squire, hunting customs, modes of travel, coffee-houses, clubs, theaters, superstitions, condition of politics, the beau, the belle, the dress of the period, the amusements, London life, streets, a fashionable life, gardens, the library, trade, etc. The Roger de Coverley Papers are the most popular portion of The Spectator. Before beginning these essays , one ought to read the first essay published, entitled The Spectator, and trace the resemblance to Addison. The second essay (on The Club) also should be read for the broad outlines of the various characters. Flesh-and-blood pictures of the poor relation in Will Wimble, the merchant in Sir Andrew Free port, the fop in Will Honeycomb, and, best of all, the country gentleman in Sir Roger take form as the reading continues, and as incidents and comments furnish side-lights. The playful humor, the power to vivify the times, the smoothness and elegance of style, the lofty moral sentiment, shrewd observation of character, pointed comments on life and manners, delicate satire, kindly spirit, and gossipy tone, the inexhaustible run of thoughts, the manliness and human sympathy these are a few of the qualities that have commended The Spectator to readers.Essays of Joseph Addison; : Addison, Joseph, 1672-1719 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/cu31924013167428
Joseph Addison (Addison, Joseph, 1672-1719) | The Online Books Page. (n.d.). Joseph Addison (Addison, Joseph, 1672-1719) | the Online Books Page. https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Addison%2C%20Joseph%2C%201672%2D1719
The life and writings of Addison; Samuel Johnson : Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron, 1800-1859 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/lifewritingsofad01maca
A History Of English Prosody Vol. 1 : Saintsbury George : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.93134
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