THE APHORISTIC STYLE OF BACON’S ESSAYS

Abstract

Francis Bacon is considered as the father of English Essay. His essays made him popular in his days and the popularity is still maintained. Because of the popularity, his essays have been translated into French, Latin, Italy and many other languages. One of the characteristic features of his essays is the aphoristic style. This style is characterized by shortness, lucidity and clarity of expression. This aphoristic style makes him an essayist of high distinction. Many sentences of his essays are quotable proverbs. The sentences are packed with deep thought and contain practical wisdom. One paragraph contains several meaningful sentences. Each of them will be disjointed aphorism. The only tie among them is the unity of subject. His essays like-Of Truth, Of Marriage, Of Friendship, of Studies, Of Ambition, Of Revenge etc. are written in the terse and pithy style of which Bacon is a master. Bacon displays a great talent of condensation in his essays. This proves the fact that Bacon is liable to be called the Father of English Essay.