Critical Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Of Studies is one of the most quoted essays of Francis Bacon. He has
analysed the importance of studies; therefore, in this essay he convince his readers
to know its vitality.
Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561 in London, England. He is the
first major English essayist. He was considered a renaissance man. He worked as a
lawyer and scientist throughout his life (1561-1626). Bacon's most valuable work
surrounded philosophical and Aristotelian concepts that supported the scientific
method. Bacon served as an attorney general as well as Lord Chancellor of England
and received his education from several universities including Trinity College and the
University of Cambridge. Of Studies is one of the fifty essays he wrote that begins
the word “Of”. Bacon published three editions of his essays (in 1597, 1612, and
1625) and the last two were marked by the addition of more essays. This is the best-
known version of the essay Of Studies, taken from the 1625 edition of Essays or
Counsels, Civil and Moral.
Francis Bacon Of Studies emphasizes three important uses of studies. The
first one is that Studies serve for Delight. This delight may come in solitude or leisure
after retirement from active life. Secondly, they serve for Ornament in
communication, conversation and discourse. An educated person talk attractively
compared to an uneducated person. The third use of studies is the Ability they help
in judgement and disposition of business.
The topic of the essay “Of Studies” by Francis Bacon is clearly understood by
the title itself. The main theme of the essay is to explain the use of studies as they
serve for delight, in privateness and retiring, in discourse and for ability, in the
judgement and for disposition of business.
The author stresses the importance of studies in life. He support the notion
that study is important in every aspects of life as he explained what type of books
and kind of writing we will choose to read. Sir Francis Bacon uses parallelism in his
essays. In his view, studies help enrich life, both for enjoyment and practical
purposes. Bacon also believes that moderation is necessary for studies to be most
useful. He thinks one shouldn't study so much that it distracts from applying one's
studies and living.
SUMMARY
"Of Studies" teaches a person how to read books. It was written shortly after
the printing press with movable type was invented and books became much more
available.
In his aphoristic style, he gives his logical thoughts about studies in this
essay. He says that studies give delight in private life, ornamental style in
conversation, and ability of judgement in decision-making. Experience and studies
help each other. With experience one can do work and make planning, but with the
help of studies he can do it in a systematic manner. On the other hand, studies get
perfected by experience.
According to Bacon, the practical dislike studies, simple praise’s studies and
wise men use the studies. The use of studies is better made with the help of
experience gained by observation. He says that there are three kinds of books.
Some books are to be tasted or read in parts only. Some are to be swallowed, read
without full attention. Some are to be chewed and digested, read with sheer
concentration.
According to Bacon, Reading makes a man well informed. The conversation
gives us quick intelligence, while writing gives us exactness. Studies of history book
makes a reader wise poetry, intelligent and so on. Different exercise cures different
disease of body in the same way, different books corrects the defects of mind.
Mathematics brings concentration to a wandering mind, because one has to start
doing it again if he loses his concentration. Philosophy gives us understanding, to
chalk out the difference between things. The law cases increases our power to
argue.
In this way there is a particular study for each and every defect that is in mind.
References
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