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Ideas in Literature ■ Opportunity and Loss 167 UNIT 2

from money and trade instead of landholdings. The implications of this economic ALTERNATE TEXTS
IDEAS IN LITERATURE and social shift were broad and deep. For example, new capital holding corpora-

Opportunity and Loss tions provided lucrative rewards for those willing to risk investing in businesses IDEAS IN LITERATURE TRM Lit Links.
e.e. cummings’ poem “maggie and milly and
operating in India or China. Even William Shakespeare accumulated wealth from
his investment in the Globe Theatre. molly and may” illustrates the innocence and
Indeed, ambitious individuals had new opportunities to get ahead. The Renais- anticipation of a beach experience. Have stu-
The English civil wars of the fifteenth century saw competing royal families fight sance witnessed a revival of humanist learning, which was increasingly available to dents illustrate each stanza of the poem to cap-
for the English crown. When Henry VII ultimately became king in 1485, he the public. For the first time, the sons of merchants, yeoman farmers, or — in the ture each individual’s experience. Include a line
ushered in a period of relative peace and prosperity that lasted for most of the case of Shakespeare — glovemakers studied Latin, Greek, rhetoric, poetry, math- from the poem that best reflects the perspective.
IDEA BANK next two centuries. But the war had exposed cracks in the static feudal order. The ematics, and other disciplines; they memorized passages from classical authors Then discuss the significance of the poem’s final
English government was gradually becoming more centralized, as the monarch and aspired to be ethical, wise, and refined. In fact, our contemporary ideas about
Art and Parliament uneasily shared power. Rents to local lords were increasingly lines, “For whatever we lose(like a you or a me) /
Carpe Diem superseded by taxes paid to the state. In the process, the status and wealth of “well-rounded” individuals and the value of the liberal arts largely derive from this it’s always ourselves we find in the sea.” The
model of education, which served well for positions such as clerks, lawyers, and
Comfort English noblemen declined. government officials. Those seeking recognition and career advancement tried to poem is available through Lit Links.
Distributed by Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Strictly for use with its products. Not for redistribution.
Creativity These historical developments opened a space for stock companies, entrepre- embody the Renaissance ideal of sprezzatura: an Italian term with connotations of In his poem “a poem is a city” Charles Bukowski
Despair neurs, and foundational elements of capitalism. Merchants and tradespeople moved effortless elegance and casual brilliance. In a way, sprezzatura is analogous to our creates a metaphor that captures images of both
Development to cities: new centers of commerce that were already becoming overcrowded. Even contemporary notions of being cool. Today, we refer to a person with many talents, opportunity and loss. Access the poem through
Education peasants gained more freedom to sell their labor, which allowed them some social interests, and fields of knowledge as a “Renaissance” man or woman. the Lit Links. Ask students to make a T-chart
Empathy and economic mobility. Most importantly perhaps, wealth increasingly derived But the decline of feudalism also meant loss: the end of a premodern society with the headings “Opportunity” and “Loss,”
then categorize the images and comparisons
Experience in which every person knew his or her place; in which members of the nobility the speaker presents into these two categories.
Fervor were obligated to protect peasants; in which authority was familiar and local, Could some images be categorized as both
Humanity rather than remote and impersonal; in which society was — ideally — stable and “opportunity” and “loss”? Have a discussion
Idealism harmonious. Our contemporary popular culture has often explored feudal systems, on how the speaker’s perspective is revealed
Innovation from George R. R. Martin’s series Game of Thrones to the British historical drama through the overarching metaphor.
Joy Downton Abbey. Mexican American poet Rodolfo “Corky”
Many consider the English Renaissance the greatest period of English litera-
Loss ture: poet Andrew Marvell epitomizes the shift from medieval Christian England Gonzales’s poem “I am Joaquin” presents a
Lust into the modern, secular, and individualistic culture that seems closer to our own. speaker who recounts the struggles of the
Music His poem “To His Coy Mistress” reflects the carpe diem idea (“seize the day”), a Chicano people in their efforts to achieve justice
Opportunity central theme of the Renaissance. and to establish identity. First, share the poem
Progress by reading it aloud. Ask students to identify the
Purity images and figurative language (e.g., metaphors
Risk and similes) that the speaker uses to define
Technology himself. In what ways does the speaker see
Pictures Now/Alamy Risk is a game of strategy and chance. The loss? Then, show the video. Have a discus-
his circumstance with both opportunity and
Youth Copyright (c) 2023 Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishers. Uncorrected proofs were used with this sample chapter.
sion whether the images in the video enhance
goal is to build an army, move your troops,
engage in battles, and control territories.
the poem and video are available through the
Depending on a roll of the dice, a player will or detract from the speaker’s message. Both
This is a map from 1482 based on the work of the second-century Roman either defeat the enemy or be defeated. Lit Links.
mathematician Ptolemy. The rediscovery of Ptolemy’s maps revolutionized Another poem that presents a perspective
Renaissance mapmaking by suggesting that maps should be determined Why does this popular game continue to about opportunity and loss is Billy Collins’s “The
geographically and based on distance calculations. Previously, mapmakers fascinate its players? In life, do you believe Names.” The speaker in “The Names,” reflects
relied on other sources, such as geographical references from biblical stories. that the person who takes the most risks on a historical event—the 9/11 attacks. After
wins? How does risk affect the chances of watching Collins read the poem, discuss how
What perspective on the world does this map suggest? an individual’s success? the poet structures the poem and draws upon
figurative language to convey a perspective and
166 attitude about the event. The video is available
through Lit Links.

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Ideas in Literature Opportunity and Loss 167

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