Fly on the Wall, by Sir Francis Bacon

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HE was a prince, sad, serious, and full of thoughts and secret observations; and full of notes and memorials of his own hand, especially touching persons; as whom to employ, whom to reward, whom to inquire of, whom to beware of, what were the dependencies, what were the factions, and the like; keeping (as it were) a journal of his thoughts. There is to this day a merry tale: that his monkey (set on as it was thought by one of his chamber) tore his principal note-book all to pieces, when by chance it lay forth whereat the court, which liked not those pensive accounts was almost tickled with sport.

by Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626

abridged

Abridged from ‘The History of Henry VII’ (1622) by Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626).

Précis

Sir Francis reveals that the king not only employed spies but did a little spying himself, vetting his courtiers personally, watching them closely and jotting down their doings in a private journal. The royal household did not like this surveillance, and members were highly amused when the king’s pet monkey — possibly under their coaxing — tore the journal up one day.

Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

Henry watched his courtiers. He wrote down what they did and said. They did not like it.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IRecord. IIResent. IIISurveillance.

Précis

Questions for Critics

Jigsaws

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