Introduction: Francis Bacon’s Essays: Annotated Bibliography
Francis Bacon’s essays, composed in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, are a collection of philosophical and moral reflections. Characterized by their concise and aphoristic style, these essays cover a broad range of topics, including friendship, studies, marriage, and human nature. Bacon’s objective is to provide practical wisdom and guidance for individuals understanding life’s complexities. Through a blend of classical wisdom, empirical observations, and a keen understanding of human psychology, he provides insightful reflections on the challenges and virtues of human existence.
Davis, Walter R. “Francis Bacon: Overview.” Reference Guide to English Literature, edited by D. L. Kirkpatrick, 2nd ed., St. James Press, 1991. Literature Resource Center, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GLS&sw=w&u=txshracd2512&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CH1420009027&it=r&asid=8996bf137d4b34c95c57772e2e7b6987. Accessed 28 Oct. 2023.
Walter Davis provides a comprehensive overview of Francis Bacon and his work, highlighting Bacon’s interpretations of human nature in relation to myths, history, and personal experiences, all of which are documented in his essays. Davis reviews Bacon’s works, emphasizing that the essays cover a wide array of subjects, offering insights into worldly wisdom and moral issues. He remarks on Bacon’s writing style and imagery, noting their coherence in structure and explicitness in advice. Davis further asserts that the essays form a unified whole, exploring practical everyday subjects. In conclusion, he characterizes Bacon’s essays as fine examples of a subtle reevaluation of his own thoughts on worldly matters, contributing to personal and professional advancement.
Miller, John J. “`Pruning by Study’: Self-Cultivation in Bacon’s Essays.” Papers on Language & Literature, vol. 31, no. 4, Fall95, p. 339. EBSCOhost, libaccess.hccs.edu:443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=9512121382&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
In his article “Pruning by Study”: Self-Cultivation in Bacon’s Essays,” John Miller examines the practical nature of Bacon’s essays, drawing from his treatises “The Novum Organon” and “The Advancement of Learning.” Miller notes that Bacon’s method is inductive, deriving results from specific arguments, as observed by critics. He contends that Bacon’s aphorisms reflect the common “anxieties, concerns, or socio-political conditions” of his time (339). Miller adds that the essays are not only standalone entities but also embody a pure wisdom emanating from Bacon’s own self, possibly bordering on selfishness. Analyzing Bacon’s social essays, Miller highlights their primary focus on the relationship between private and public life, offering advice on how to strike a balance. He suggests that Bacon’s overarching objective is to prompt others to project their public selves and understand the influence of societal perceptions on their lives.
Strachey, Lytton. “Bacon as a Man of Letters.” Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800, edited by James E. Person, Jr., vol. 18, Gale, 1992. Literature Resource Center, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GLS&sw=w&u=txshracd2512&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CH1420009031&it=r&asid=e1b32ec0c485c59cca9c99a1516e4cb7. Accessed 28 Oct. 2017. Originally published in Spectatorial Essays, by Lytton Strachey, Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, 1965, pp. 82-87.
In the essay “Bacon as a Man of Letters,” Lytton Strachey, a prominent English literary figure, encapsulates the philosophy and wisdom found in Francis Bacon’s essays. Strachey draws comparisons between Bacon and Sir Thomas Brown and Jonathan Swift, emphasizing their shared commitment to writing for practical purposes. Describing Bacon’s essays, Strachey characterizes him as a “wonder for wise men” due to his concise and sagacious remarks on a myriad of subjects. He commends Bacon’s style and approach, noting that his philosophy is utilitarian rather than strictly moral or ethical. Additionally, Strachey highlights Bacon’s love for refined prose, likening him to Montesquieu and even suggesting that Bacon occasionally surpasses him in linguistic richness. Acknowledging Bacon’s social standing as a “man of the world,” Strachey underscores the practical wisdom embedded in Bacon’s writings.
Sessions, William A. “The Essays: Reading Them as “Dispersed Meditacions”.” Francis Bacon Revisited, Twayne Publishers, 1996, pp. 21-56. Twayne’s English Authors Series 523. Twayne’s Authors Series, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GLS&sw=w&u=txshracd2512&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CCX1590800014&it=r&asid=254d4ab4af5b3a84bcd8e218b160934f. Accessed 28 Oct. 2023.
William Sessions sheds light on Francis Bacon’s essays, life, and intellectual pursuits in both English and Latin. Noting Bacon’s service to the Prince of Wales and his practical experiences, Sessions suggests that Bacon’s style evolved through the study of Latin and eventually became geared towards practical purposes. Sessions argues that Bacon, being cognizant of the rhetorical demands and situations in which he wrote, adopted an aphoristic style that suited him best. Referring to Bacon’s maxims as a kind of law, Sessions asserts that these aphorisms serve as a “visible sign of the truer method of knowledge” (36). According to Sessions, this reflects an essential dialectic that Bacon consistently engages with in his essays. Sessions specifically comments on three renowned essays by Bacon, namely “Of Truth,” “Of Studies,” and “Of Cunning.”
Tyagi, Ankit. “Francis Bacon’s Philosophy of Life and Morality.” International Journal of English Language, Literature and Translation Studies, vol. 2. no. 3 (2015): 524-527.
Ankit Tyagi’s concise paper explores the life and morality portrayed in Francis Bacon’s essays. Through a thorough review of several essays, Tyagi asserts that Bacon’s worldly wisdom is exceptional in English literature, attributing this uniqueness to his versatility. Tyagi notes that Bacon addresses a diverse array of social topics, presenting a distinctive set of maxims in each instance. While acknowledging the occasional absence of morality in Bacon’s maxims, Tyagi emphasizes their practical applicability in the real world. Supporting his argument with extensive quotations from Bacon’s essays, Tyagi contends that Bacon’s philosophy is predominantly utilitarian. In short, Tyagi characterizes Bacon as a “citizen of the world,” emphasizing the practical nature of his essays.
Books on Francis Bacon’s Essays
- Vickers, Brian. “Francis Bacon: The Major Works.” Oxford University Press, 2008: This comprehensive collection of Bacon’s essays by Brian Vickers includes insightful annotations that provide a deep exploration of the historical and philosophical context of each essay, offering readers a thorough understanding of Bacon’s intellectual contributions.
- Peltonen, Markku (Ed.). “The Cambridge Companion to Bacon.” Cambridge University Press, 1996: In this comprehensive companion, edited by Markku Peltonen, various scholars contribute critical essays that provide a broader perspective on Bacon’s life, works, and influence. The book offers readers a well-rounded background to contextualize Bacon’s essays.
- Jardine, Lisa. “Francis Bacon: Discovery and the Art of Discourse.“ Cambridge University Press, 1974: Lisa Jardine’s work focuses on the rhetorical aspects of Bacon’s essays, offering valuable insights into Bacon’s mastery of language and persuasive techniques. This book enriches the understanding of Bacon’s communication strategies.
