Renaissance Elements in the Essays of Francis Bacon

Introduction:

A lawyer, statesman, philosopher, and master of the English tongue, Francis Bacon is remembered in literary terms for the sharp worldly wisdom of a few dozen essays, and intellectually as a man who claimed all knowledge as his province and, after a magisterial survey, urgently advocated new ways by which man might establish a legitimate command over nature for the relief of his estate.

Bacon has been called the father of empiricism. His works argued for the possibility of scientific knowledge based only upon inductive reasoning and careful observation of events in nature. Most importantly, he argued science could be achieved by use of a sceptical and methodical approach whereby scientists aim to avoid misleading themselves. Although his most specific proposals about such a method, the Baconian method, did not have a long-lasting influence, the general idea of the importance and possibility of a sceptical methodology makes Bacon the father of the scientific method. This method was a new rhetorical and theoretical framework for science, the practical details of which are still central in debates about science and methodology.

Bacon's Intellectual Modernity:

Bacon represents the intellectual modernity, so closely associated with the Renaissance. The Renaissance, in intellectual terms, signalised the end of medieval scholasticism and the beginning of the age of dispassionate and rational enquiry and experimentation. The medieval schoolmen did nothing but strain their nerves in justifying the tenets of Christianity in the light of Aristotelean principles. Bacon gave his novum organum (a new instrument) induction which has since played a major role in the progress of experimental science. Bacon was an enthusiastic votary of truth. His death was caused by his enthusiasm. He once killed a bird and stuffed it with snow in order to find out the preservative effect of snow on flesh. In the process of this experiment, he caught cold, which worsened into pneumonia of which he died soon after. He lived for philosophic and scientific truth, and died as a martyr in its cause.

Love of Learning:

The Renaissance whetted the appetite of the people for learning, especially the Greek and Latin classics which had lain unknown to the Middle Ages. Bacon claimed to have taken all knowledge to be his province. In the Essays he shows a keen awareness of several branches of learning. Though none of the essays concerns itself with any formal academic subject, yet in his imagery and style we are constantly conscious of his acquaintance with many branches of learning. He himself referred to his essays as “certain brief notes set down rather significantly than curiously”, concerning subjects “of which men shall find much in business and little in books.” 

Knowledge of the Classics:

This learning has another aspect which concerns the Latin and Greek classics with which the Renaissance had come to England. The massive magnitude of Bacon’s classical learning is easily sampled by even a cursory glance at his essays. There is perhaps not a single essay which is without some references to and quotations from Latin and Greek writers.

Materialism and Worldliness:

The dawn of the Renaissance, as we have pointed out above, was responsible for injecting into people a new interest in this world and the affairs of this world. His essays are a reflection of the new spirit in so far as he deals with the business of providing practical precepts to a man. Bacon’s essays were in accordance with the temper of the times is easily seen by the fact that they immediately created an enormous circle of readers and admirers.

Renaissance Elements in Bacon's essays:

Renaissance means the revival of learning and an absolute change in every occupation. In its broadest sense, it denotes the gradual enlightenment of human mind after darkness of Middle Ages.The influence of Renaissance spirit is obvious on Bacon in his essays. He lays emphasis on self-advancement. He has a love for classical learning and natural beauty, which are the qualities of Renaissance. Bacon's essays bear the pragmatic spirit. He deals with the practical advantages of the things in the new intellectual atmosphere created by the Renaissance. His essays are replete with what is known as worldly wisdom. We see Bacon advising the reader as how to become rich, how to rise his position, how to exercise one's powers. In Bacon's essays, we find the Machiavellian approach to life, to achieve success in life by using fair and foul means. This is an important characteristic of Renaissance age. Therefore, he is the preacher of Machiavellian philosophy. The revival of classical learning and the study of ancient Greek and Roman literature and history are obvious in Bacon's essays. There are numerous quotations from ancient writers and through them he supported his arguments. Of Studies explores the benefit of studying. Study as an activity, in whatever form brings us joy and enhances our thinking, speaking and writing ability, adding charm to our personality. It helps us in relaxation after a strenuous routine. It enables the learned men, who have studied extensively, to critically examine issues, and arrive at the right conclusion. However, over-indulgence in studies lead to undesirable coconsequences. In Of Death, Bacon attempts to give the readers a nerve to face the death by arguing that the actual pain of death is not as much as we think about it. The essay begins with a simile of death and darkness and the similarity in the fear that is associated with both. He argues that death is not so horrifying as it appears to be. However, mourns and groans of the dying person along with the weeping and harsh expression of his dear and near ones makes the sight of death hohorrifying. Of Adversity extols the worldly wisdom of Seneca that the good things that belong to prosperity, are to be wished; but the good things, that belong to adversity, are to be admired. Essentially, throughout the essay, Bacon contrasts prosperity, which leads to easy decisions about how to live one's life, and adversity, which requires strength of moral character that prosperity does not. Of Revenge contains a strange mixture of utilitarianism and high ideals as Bacon declares that revenge is ignoble and that forgiveness is noble, but almost immediately adds that in certain circumstances, revenge is tolerable. He does not consider below his dignity to offer a piece of advice, i.e., pragmatic to those who would take revenge, telling them to be careful not to get into trouble with the law themselves while taking revenge.

Conclusion: 

Bacon has the main feature of Renaissance spirit in his essays but there is one great exception and that is the use of language. He does not reflect the age's pride in English language. He admired and preferred Latin to English and thought that the Latin version of his essays would be more popular. Critics have different opinions about Bacon’s language. A critic says:

"The language of Bacon is as supreme in prose as Shakespeare's in verse."

In the end, we can say that Bacon is a writer who represents the most salient feature of his age, which is the age of revival of learning and study of ancients, the spirit of inquiry and individualism. He is the real product of The Renaissance glory and reveals the thoughts, philosophy and true features of the Renaissance spirit.

References:

https://www.wikipedia.org/

https://www.bitlanders.com/

https://books.google.co.

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