English Help Needed!

Question

On this paper, "Of Studies" By Francis Bacon;

What is the;

Subject-(About?)

Occasion-( reason for writing it )

Audience- (Intended Audience)

Purpose- (Purpose of the piece)

Speaker- (Who is speaking)

Tone-(What is the tone of the piece)

Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one; but the general counsels, and the plots and marshalling of affairs, come best from those that are learned. To spend too much time in studies is sloth; to use them too much for ornament, is affectation; to make judgment wholly by their rules, is the humor of a scholar. They perfect nature, and are perfected by experience: for natural abilities are like natural plants, that need pruning, by study; and studies themselves do give forth directions too much at large, except they be bounded in by experience. Crafty men condemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by observation. Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only in the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled books are like common distilled waters, flashy things. Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to know that he doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtle; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt studia in mores [Studies pass into and influence manners]. Nay, there is no stond or impediment in the wit but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as diseases of the body may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins; shooting for the lungs and breast; gentle walking for the stomach; riding for the head; and the like. So if a man’s wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little, he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the Schoolmen; for they are cymini sectores [splitters of hairs]. If he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study the lawyers’ cases. So every defect of the mind may have a special receipt.

Answer 1

Risse

I understand Ginger's point, but my own opinion is that I am happy to help someone like you - it is honestly a pleasure to be of use.

I don't know this piece at all, so I'm not sure that my answers are adequate but based just on reading the piece now:

1. Subject - The benefits of studying, and the importance of studying and of use the learned knowledge appropriately

2. Occasion - Perhaps a concern that too many people were choosing not to study, and this was disadvantaging both them and society as a whole.

3. Audience - Anyone who would benefit from study, which I guess would include young people but perhaps not exclusively (I can't infer that from the piece without knowing its context).

4. Purpose - To persuade the audience of the importance and benefits of studying, to guide them in selecting the most appropriate methods and amount of studying, and to advise on the most effective use of the knowledge gained through studying.

5. Speaker - Without knowing the context, I am assuming it is Bacon himself, apparently a well-educated man who knows from personal experience the value of study.

6. Tone - I would call the tone pedagogical (i.e. that of a teacher), in that the speaker seems fully self-confident of his own knowledge and is presenting his argument in a way that is intended to advise and to persuade.

Tom

Answer 2

Don't be lazy, do your homework, this is not hard.

Answer 3

I understand someone coming on here and asking for help with home work that they do not understand but this is ridiculous!  This is not a long thing to read and it is a very easy project.  I could do this stuff in my sleep, however I am not going to do this for you.  If you do not do your work you will amount to nothing.  Lazy people like you amount to nothing.  Why don't you use your brain a little and do some work?  It would help you a lot.  I don't mean to be mean to you but I hate lazy people.