Hello,
This blog is crafted as part of thinking activity on "Archetypal Criticism" by Canadian literary critic Northrop Frye. Here, one can find some answers to the questions related to archetypal criticism.
Q) What is archetypal criticism? What does the archetypal critic do?
Archetypal criticism is a type of criticism that went into core of the literature, and find the recurring themes and patterns that would be common in most of the world literature. And to go into core of literature means to went back in times of myths. Myths are the thing from which any of the literature has emerged, so as archetypal criticism.
According to M.H. Abrahams
"In Literary criticism, the term archetype denotes narrative designs, patterns of actions, character types, themes, and images that recur in a wide variety of works of literature, as well as in myths, dreams, and even social rituals."
For instance, Ferdinand de Saussure who is a Swiss linguist, did study on the language of all over the world and came to know that every language has the similar structure, a common skeleton. Literature from all over the world also has the same type of common skeleton, and to find this skeleton was the quest of Northrop Frye.
Though, Frye was not the first one who sought for this quest. The works like "Collective Consciousness" and "The Golden Bough" respectively by Karl Jung and James Frazer have established the roots of archetypal criticism.
Q) What is Frye trying to prove by giving an analogy of 'Physics to Nature' and 'Criticism to Literature'? Share your views of Criticism as an organized body of knowledge.
Here, Frye made analogy between physics and criticism, he argues that criticism ought to strive for a level of systematic, organized, and scientific rigor, similar to the approach physics employs in comprehending the natural world.
In his essay "Archetypes of Criticism",
'The acquisition of knowledge in any organized field is an incremental process. Literature, like physics, involves a systematic study. However, it's important to note a semantic challenge. While one can learn about literature, the actual learning process pertains to the criticism of literature, akin to studying physics rather than nature itself.'
both physics and literary criticism involve a systematic study with established methodologies, rely on an incremental process of knowledge acquisition, and face semantic challenges in precise communication and interpretation.
Q) Share your views of criticism as an organized body of knowledge. Mention the relation of literature with history and philosophy.
Literature is made of many historical events and philosophical idea. One have to have historical sense in writing literature that is also mentioned by literary critic T. S. Eliot in his essay "Tradition and Individual Talent". Both historical events and individual philosophical ideas forms the main body of literature. Creative writers uses various historical events in their creative works, and alludes to them in their work, also literature is the retelling of the same story over and over again with slight changes in plot.
If we take example of movie, it would be possible that story is same but with which ideas story is conveyed is more crucial. For example there are lots of movie have been made on the storyline of Ramayan, but it is conveyed through very different and unique ideas. These new ideas in the plot is the most potent thing.
Q) Briefly explain the inductive method with an illustration of Shakespeare's Hamlet's Grave Digger's scene.
Inductive method progresses from particular to general. The scene opens with two grave diggers who are digging Ophelia's grave, with such light hearted and amusing manner. Hamlet sees this from bushes and afterwards involves with two grave diggers into comic chit chat. Firstly, it brings some humor into the story while the overall plot becomes more serious. Secondly, it criticizes organized religion. The scene is quite long and has two main parts: Hamlet and Horatio talking with the gravediggers, and then Ophelia's burial. The scene is not just about making people laugh, it also emphasizes the idea that everyone will die someday, hinting at the upcoming tragic ending. It's a moment where Hamlet stops pretending to be crazy, and the scene feels very real and true to life. Overall, it adds depth and different layers to the play beyond just being funny. The gravediggers in the play serve as a source of humor, providing a break from the serious and somber tone of the overall tragic story. In the midst of the intense and grim events, their scenes bring a lighter and more entertaining element to the play, offering the audience moments of comic relief.
During Hamlet's discussion with the gravedigger, they make specific observations about the universality and leveling effect of death. For example, when Hamlet finds Yorick's skull, he contemplates how everyone, regardless of their social standing or accomplishments, is destined to face the unavoidable fate of mortality.
"Worm Meat" Theme
The gravediggers' dialogue in Hamlet, heavily centered on the theme of death, acts as a prelude to the exploration of the "worm meat" theme within the same scene. Hamlet engages in a clever exchange of questions and answers with the First Gravedigger, and the tossing and dashing of a skull prompts Hamlet to reflect on death as the ultimate equalizer. His fascination with mortality is evident throughout the play, notably in his earlier soliloquy where he wishes for the dissolution of his own flesh. This theme is further developed in the scene, particularly when Hamlet contemplates Yorick's skull, visualizing the decomposition of facial features. His musings extend to the idea that all individuals, regardless of social status or worldly accomplishments, will eventually become mere "worm's meat," highlighting the leveling nature of death.
In this scene, Hamlet's meditation on mortality intensifies as he envisions the dust of renowned figures like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. He reflects on the inevitability of death, emphasizing that even the most influential individuals, be they politicians, lawyers, or rulers, will ultimately be reduced to the commonality of dust. The notion of death as the great leveler, turning all to the same essential dust, becomes a powerful and recurring theme in Hamlet's contemplations.
Q) Briefly explain the deductive method with reference to an analogy to Music, Painting, rhythm, and pattern. Give examples of the outcomes of the deductive method.
The deductive method starts with a big idea and then looks at specific examples. In the essay's third part, Frye gives examples from music and painting, which are arts that happen over time and in space. He points out that both music and painting use the organizing principle of recurrence. This means things happening again. All art can be thought of as either happening over time or taking up space. Literature, according to Frye, is in between music and painting in this way.
Using deductive reasoning in music, you begin with a broad theory regarding the fundamental principles of organization, such as rhythm and patterns. Subsequently, you put this theory into action by examining specific instances. This approach facilitates the assessment of how different musical compositions either adhere to or deviate from these fundamental principles.
Q) Refer to the Indian seasonal grid. If you can, please read a small Gujarati, Hindi, or English poem from the archetypal approach and apply the Indian seasonal grid to the interpretation.
ભોમિયા વિના મારે ભમવા’તા ડુંગરા,
જંગલની કુંજકુંજ જોવી હતી;
જોવાં’તાં કોતરો ને જોવી’તી કંદરા,
રોતાં ઝરણાંની આંખ લ્હોવી હતી.
અંતરની આંખડી લ્હોવી જરી.
- Umashankar Joshi
The poem "ભોમિયા વિના મારે ભમવા’તા ડુંગરા" beautifully captures the essence of nature and solitude. Let's apply the Indian seasonal grid to its interpretation:
ભોમિયા વિના મારે ભમવા’તા ડુંગરા (Bhomiyā vinā māre bhamvā’tā ḍuṅgarā):
Without the presence of the earthy wanderer (Bhomiya), the hills resonate with solitude.
This could be associated with any season, suggesting a timeless and eternal connection between nature and solitude.
- જંગલની કુંજકુંજ જોવી હતી (Jaṅgalnī kuñjakuñj jōvī hatī):
The thickets of the jungle were once seen.
This might evoke images of the lushness of forests, possibly associated with the monsoon season when jungles are vibrant and full of life.
- સૂના સરવરિયાની સોનેરી પાળે (Sūnā sarvariẏānī sōnērī pāḷē):
By the golden shore of the silent lake. The serene lake and golden imagery could be related to autumn, where nature often takes on warm and golden hues.
- એકલા આકાશ તળે ઊભીને એકલો (Ēkalā ākāś talē ūbhīnē ēkalō):
Alone, standing below the solitary sky.
The sense of aloneness beneath the vast sky could be associated with winter, conveying a feeling of stillness and quietude.
- આખો અવતાર મારે ભમવા ડુંગરિયા (Ākhō avatāra mārē bhamvā ḍuṅgariyā):
The entire manifestation echoes through the hills.This line signifies a universal presence resonating through the hills, transcending seasons.
In summary, the poem, with its vivid imagery and deep introspection, connects with the universal themes of nature, solitude, and the eternal cycle of existence. While specific seasonal markers are present, the overall essence suggests a timeless connection between the wanderer, nature, and solitude, transcending the limitations of a specific season. (ChatGPT)
Thank you.
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