The Dynasts
Sep 2016 · Otbebookpublishing
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444
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About this ebook
"The Dynasts" is an English-language drama in verse by Thomas Hardy. Hardy himself described this work as "an epic-drama of the war with Napoleon, in three parts, nineteen acts and one hundred and thirty scenes". Not counting the Forescene and the Afterscene, the exact total number of scenes is 131. The three parts were published in 1904, 1906 and 1908. Because of the ambition and scale of the work, Hardy acknowledged that The Dynasts was not a work that could be conventionally staged in the theatre, and described the work as "the longest English drama in existence". Scholars have noted that Hardy remembered war stories of the veterans of the Napoleonic wars in his youth, and used them as partial inspiration for writing The Dynasts many years later in his own old age. In addition, Hardy was a distant relative of Captain Thomas Hardy, who had served with Admiral Horatio Nelson at Trafalgar. Hardy consulted a number of histories and also visited Waterloo, Belgium, as part of his research. George Orwell wrote that Hardy had "set free his genius" by writing this drama and thought its main appeal was "in the grandiose and rather evil vision of armies marching and counter-marching through the mists, and men dying by hundreds of thousands in the Russian snows, and all for absolutely nothing." (Excerpt from Wikipedia)
About the author
Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) was an English novelist and poet whose works have left an indelible mark on literature. Born in the rural village of Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, Hardy's upbringing in the pastoral countryside profoundly influenced his writing, imbuing it with a deep sense of place and a keen awareness of the natural world.Hardy's early career began in architecture, but his passion for writing soon took precedence. His novels, often set in the fictional region of Wessex, explore themes of social constraints, human suffering, and the inexorable forces of fate. Hardy's portrayal of rural life and his critique of Victorian society's moral rigidity resonated with readers and critics alike, although his candid treatment of topics such as sexuality and class often sparked controversy.A pioneer of literary realism, Hardy's work bridged the gap between the Romantic and Modernist movements. His unflinching examination of human nature and the often bleak realities of life influenced contemporary writers like D.H. Lawrence and Virginia Woolf. Hardy's poetry, which he turned to later in life, further showcased his versatility and depth, earning him a place among the great English poets.Despite facing criticism and censorship, Hardy remained steadfast in his commitment to exploring the complexities of human existence. His revolutionary ideas about determinism and the human condition continue to captivate modern readers, making him a timeless figure in literary history. Hardy's legacy endures, not only through his profound storytelling but also through his courageous challenge to societal norms, which paved the way for future generations of writers.
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