Archetypal Criticism

                                 By Northrop Frye

Hello readers,

This blog is based on Thinking activity. Assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir.

1. What is Archetypal Criticism? What does the archetypal critic do?

Archetypal criticism is like looking closely at stories to find repeating symbols and patterns from cultural and psychological ideas. According to M.H. Abrams, these repeating elements include story designs, characters, and themes that show up in lots of different stories.

In "The Anatomy of Criticism," Northrop Frye talks about a "Mythos Grid," which is like a plan for stories. He says stories have a natural order, like always starting, having a middle, and ending, similar to how nature works. So, when we study literature, we can spot these patterns and symbols that connect with the natural order, helping us understand and enjoy stories more.

2. 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. 

In comparing "Physics to Nature" and "Criticism to Literature," Frye is saying that criticism is like physics, but for literature. Just as physics studies the basic principles of nature, criticism studies the underlying principles in stories. It's not just about personal opinions; it's a structured exploration of patterns and laws in literature.

When Frye talks about criticism as an organized body of knowledge, he means that it's like having a well-organized toolkit. This toolkit helps scholars and readers systematically understand and categorize stories based on recurring themes. This way, we can dig deeper into the meanings of stories, much like how physics helps us understand the rules of the natural world. It's all about having a methodical way to uncover the hidden layers of meaning in literature.

The relation of literature with history and philosophy:

In Northrop Frye's archetypal criticism, the relation of literature to history and philosophy is significant. Frye sees literature as interconnected with both history and philosophy, forming a triad of human expression.

In simple terms, according to Frye's ideas:

History {Events }+ Philosophy {Ideas} = Literature

1. Literature and History: Think of literature as a time machine. It shows us what life was like in the past, reflecting the way people thought, what they valued, and the challenges they faced. It's like a snapshot of a society's history.

2. Literature and Philosophy: Imagine literature as a storyteller that explores big ideas. It takes complicated thoughts, like what's the meaning of life, and tells stories that help us understand these ideas better. And, on the flip side, philosophy, or deep thinking, can influence the stories we read, shaping the messages and themes in literature.

So, in Frye's view, literature, history, and philosophy are like buddies, each helping us see and understand different aspects of the human experience.

3. Briefly explain the inductive method with an illustration of Shakespeare's Hamlet's Grave Digger's scene.

To watch the Grave Digger's scene of  Hamlet Click here

The inductive method involves drawing general conclusions based on specific examples or observations. In the context of Shakespeare's Hamlet, let's apply the inductive method to the Grave Digger's scene:

Inductive Method in Hamlet's Grave Digger's Scene:

1. Specific Observation: In the Grave Digger's scene, Hamlet engages with a gravedigger while contemplating mortality. This scene is specific and provides details about characters and their actions.

2. Pattern Recognition: Inductively, we observe that Shakespeare often uses graveyards or burial sites in his plays to explore deeper themes, such as mortality, justice, and the human condition. This pattern becomes evident by examining multiple instances across Shakespeare's works.

3. General Conclusion: Inductively reasoning from specific scenes like the Grave Digger's, we can generalize that Shakespeare employs grave or burial imagery as a rich symbolic space to delve into profound questions about life and death.

Illustration from Hamlet:

In the Grave Digger's scene, Hamlet encounters Yorick's skull, sparking reflections on mortality and the transient nature of life. Inductively, we can see this as part of Shakespeare's broader pattern of using grave settings to philosophically explore the complexities of the human experience.

In summary, the inductive method involves drawing broader insights from specific examples, and in the context of Hamlet's Grave Digger's scene, it helps us see how Shakespeare consistently uses graveyards as a thematic canvas across his body of work.

4. 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 involves starting with a general premise or theory and then applying it to specific instances to draw logical conclusions. Let's use an analogy with music, painting, rhythm, and pattern to explain:

Ever wondered how artists create masterpieces in painting and music? Let's dive into the deductive method, a unique approach that involves crafting a set of rules or principles for artistic excellence.

In this method, we form a theory around effective use of color, harmony, and rhythm in painting and music. For instance, we might examine a famous painting to see if it aligns with our theory's principles of color usage. Similarly, in music, we scrutinize a piece to check if it adheres to our principles of harmonic progression or rhythmic structure.

The deductive method allows us to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of specific paintings or musical compositions based on how well they align with our general theory. For example, if our theory emphasizes the importance of melodic variety in music, we might conclude that a piece with diverse and engaging melodies is likely to be musically strong.

In essence, the deductive method provides a systematic way to analyze and appreciate the artistry in paintings and music, unlocking the secrets behind what makes them truly exceptional.

5. Refer to the Indian seasonal grid (in the blog). 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.

Excerpt from "Daffodils" by William Wordsworth:

"Daffodils"

                    by William Wordsworth:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not be but gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed'and gazed'but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Interpretation through Indian seasonal grid:

- Spring (Vasant): The poem talks about daffodils dancing, which fits the happy and lively feeling of spring.

  

- Summer (Grishma): The poem doesn't directly mention summer, but the calm and thoughtful mood might remind you of a peaceful summer evening.

- Monsoon (Varsha): The part about memories flashing in the poet's mind aligns with the introspective and reflective mood of the rainy season.

- Autumn (Sharad): The poem's pensive mood and inward reflection connect with the contemplative nature often associated with autumn.

- Winter (Hemant/Shishir): Though winter isn't explicitly mentioned, the blissful solitude and inner reflections might bring to mind the calm and quiet of winter.

In simpler terms, the poem captures different feelings that remind us of the changing seasons, like the lively spring, thoughtful summer, introspective monsoon, contemplative autumn, and the serene winter.

For another interpretation of the poem using the Indian seasonal grid, I sought assistance from the ChatGPT AI tool, and it generated this poem:

Title: Whispers of Seasons: An Archetypal Poem Across Languages

Poem: (English)

Amidst the whispers of the ancient banyan tree,  

Nature's tale unfolds, a dance of harmony.  

In spring's embrace, life awakens anew,  

Blossoms bloom, painting the canvas in hues.

Summer's fiery gaze, a radiant display,  

Life's vibrant energy in the sun's ballet.  

Monsoon's rhythm, a poetic downpour,  

Nature's tears and laughter, forevermore.

Autumn whispers secrets in rustling leaves,  

A dance of change as the landscape grieves.  

Winter's hush, a tranquil lullaby,  

Nature rests beneath the silent sky.

Now let's do Interpretation through Indian Seasonal Grid:

Spring (Vasant):

The poem's mention of blossoms blooming aligns with the rejuvenating energy of spring. In the Indian seasonal grid, Vasant symbolizes new beginnings and vitality, and the poem captures the essence of this season with its imagery of life awakening.

Summer (Grishma):

The vibrant energy described during summer resonates with Grishma. The sun's radiant display and the mention of life's energetic dance align with the intensity of this season, where nature is in full bloom.

Monsoon (Varsha):

The rhythmic downpour in the monsoon aligns with Varsha. The tears and laughter of nature depicted in the poem reflect the emotional and dramatic nature of the rainy season in the Indian context.

Autumn (Sharad):

Autumn's presence is felt in the poem's reference to rustling leaves and a dance of change. Sharad, symbolizing maturity and transformation, echoes through the lines describing the landscape grieving in a dance of change.

Winter (Hemant/Shishir):

The tranquil lullaby and nature resting beneath the silent sky align with the serenity of winter. Whether it be Hemant or Shishir, the poem captures the quiet and reflective nature associated with the colder months.

This archetypal approach intertwines with the Indian seasonal grid, showcasing how the essence of the poem mirrors the cyclical rhythm of nature in the Indian context.

Thank you 😊

Word Count : 1616

Images : 3