MEG Assignment

1. Discuss Dr. Faustus as a tragedy Tragedy – Definition Aristotle defines a tragedy as a ‘representation of an action which is important, complete and limited in length. It is enacted not recited and by arousing pity and fear, it gives an outlet to emotions of this type.’ However, for the Elizabethans, more specifically for Marlowe and Shakespeare, tragedy is not a restrictive view of human excellence or weakness as the Greeks are often inclined to present but an affirmative view of human aspirations whose pursuit brings a glory to the definition of a man. Struggle, conflict, suffering and failure may be the inescapable attendants but the human spirit is not stifled in its pursuits by what attends to them. The ability to withstand them is the tragic glory of man. Marlowe’s tragedy, therefore, is in fact the tragedy of one man – the rise, fall and death of the tragic hero. His heroes are titanic characters afire with some indomitable passion or inordinate ambition discarding all

MEG ASSIGNMENTS 2012-2013 July, 2012 and January 2013 Sessions (Compulsory Courses of M.A. English - lst Year) British Poetry-01 British Drama-O2 British Novel-03 Aspects of Language-O4 MEG-01: BRITISH POETRY ASSIGNMENT Max. Marks: 100 Programme: MEG Assignment code: MEG-01 /TM.Al20l2-13 Dear Student, ln a sonventional class your teacher would have discussed your assignment with you, pointed out what made a good essay and what a bad one. We have done exactly the same thing in Unit 52 of the British Poetry (MEG-01) course. Read it carefully and discuss it with your counselor and class-fellows at the Study Centre. Thereafter decide upon a topic, i.e. a period or literary group in the history of British Poetry. You may, if you wish, select a topic from the list given in 52.2.1 (p. 70) in Block X. Altematively, you could write on a British poet of your choice. You may write on a poet discussed in the units, i.e. on the syllabus, or even a poet we have not discuss