Essay - First Trimester Exam

A social hierarchy is a system which groups classes based on their importance in society, with an apex at the top, representing a central figure of power. Excluding parts of Asia, society views hierarchies negatively and as unfair to those in lower classes. Such views were scarce when Paradise Lost and Tartuffe were written. John Milton, an english epic poet, wrote Paradise Lost with the intent of "justifying God's ways to men." He believed that rulers should justify their right to rule, so he did so, himself, for God, so that he would not contradict himself. Tartuffe, on the other hand, provides the unexposed truth of people in the various classes during seventeenth century France.

John Milton was born in 1608, when England was basically ruled by the King and the Church. His father was disowned, simply because he converted from Catholicism to Protestantism. Milton was devout in his religion, but spoke out against Charles, and, subsequentially, Charles was put to death. After his death, Oliver Cromwell appointed himself as a Lord Protectorate in a Puritanical Government, rather than a monarchy. The vast change in society worked out positively for Milton; he was a puritan and ended up working for Cromwell. After Cromwell's death, though, Milton had to hide, and the monarchy was restored, with Charles II as king. With Charles in power, the Anglican Church, or the main church of England, divided into three sects: High Anglican, Moderate Anglican, and the Puritan/Presbyterian sect.

Milton saw the church as an obstacle to one's true faith, so he believed that the church should have been abolished, all together. This was after he disconnected himself from the church in 1650. Though the division of the church began to meet Milton's wishes, it wasn't sufficient. Paradise Lost is John Milton's interpretation of the first few sections of the Bible, and the massive changes which England was going through had a massive influence on him while writing it.

Moliere's Tartuffe is a satire, based on religious hypocrisy in seventeenth century France. Written in 1669, almost precisely thirty years prior to the Age of Enlightenment, Tartuffe is highly controversial compared to what society has believed for centuries. The Pre-Enlightenment Era was based on tradition, faith, and supernatural laws. The concensus of the general public was that God was the only explanation for anything and that religious figures were holy. Aside from religion, politics followed tradition as well. Members of the clergy were supposedly the most intelligent and superior, overall. Though politics and religion are seemingly diverse, seventeenth century France combined them in order to keep politics and religion ruling the country, just as England had tried to accomplish.

Tartuffe provides sundry examples of figures that misrepresent the basic idea of their respective classes. Orgon, for instane, is a member of the clergy, yet he is possibly one of the dumbest men ever, despite the fact that he's merely a fictional character. He is duped by a so-called noble, Tartuffe, who is supposed to be saintly in every manner, when in reality, he is not. Tartuffe's religious hypocrisy is the prominent source of comedy throughout the play. Mocking religion and using it for comedic purposes was highly offensive in seventeenth century France. Society strongly disliked Moliere after the publication of his play. Its performance didn't cease until King Louis XIV was finally convinced to ban it.

A social hierarchy, though typically viewed politically, consists of all of the main sociological issues which influence literature: politics, religion and gener roles. All three sociological issues end up playing into one another in some form or fashion.