“Thus, for instance, opium, like wine, gives an expansion to the heart and the benevolent affections; but then with this remarkable difference, that in the sudden development of kind heartedness which accompanies inebriation, there is always more or less of a maudlin character which exposes it to the contempt of the bystander. Men shake theirContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part Three) (Thomas De Quincey)”
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RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part Two) (Thomas De Quincey)
“But still, wine constantly leads a man to the brink of absurdity and extravagance, and, beyond a certain point, it is sure to volatize and to disperse the intellectual energies: whereas opium always seems to compose what has been agitated, and to concentrate what had been distracted. In short, to sum up all in oneContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part Two) (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part One) (Thomas De Quincey)
“But the main distinction is this, that whereas wine disorders the mental faculties, opium, on the contrary (if taken in a proper manner), introduces amongst them the most exquisite order, legislation, and harmony. Wine robs a man of his self-possession; opium greatly invigorates it. Wine unsettles and clouds the judgement, and gives a preternatural brightness,Continue reading “RKS British Literature: A Comparison of Opium and Wine (Part One) (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS British Literature: Natural Courage and a Sudden Influx of Money (Thomas De Quincey)
“…that vast power and possessions make a man shamefully afraid of dying: and I am convinced that many of the most intrepid adventurers, who by fortunately by being vey poor, enjoy the full use of their natural courage, would, at the very instant of going into action news were brought to them that they hasContinue reading “RKS British Literature: Natural Courage and a Sudden Influx of Money (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS British Literature: A Philosopher’s Reflection on Opium (Thomas De Quincey)
“I may affirm that my life has been on the whole, the life of a philosopher; from my birth I was made an intellectual creature: and intellectual in the highest sense of my pursuits and pleasures have been, even from my school-boy days. If opium eating be a sensual pleasure, and if I am boundContinue reading “RKS British Literature: A Philosopher’s Reflection on Opium (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS British Literature: What is So Revolting to Englanders (Thomas De Quincey)
“Nothing, indeed, is more revolting to English feelings, than the spectacle of a human being obtruding on our notice his moral ulcers or scars, and tearing away that ‘decent drapery’, which time, or indulgence to human frailty, may have drawn over them: accordingly; the greater part of our confessions (that is, spontaneous and extra-judicial confessions)Continue reading “RKS British Literature: What is So Revolting to Englanders (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS Literature: Murder: Aesthetics and Morality (Thomas De Quincey)
“Murder, for instance, may be laid hold of by its moral handle, (as it generally is in the pulpit, and at the Old Bailey) and that I confess, is its weak side; or it may also be treated aesthetically, as the Germans call it, that is in relation to good taste.” Thomas de Quincey, “OnContinue reading “RKS Literature: Murder: Aesthetics and Morality (Thomas De Quincey)”
RKS Literature: The Composition of the Fine Art of Murder (Thomas De Quincey)
“People begin to see that something more goes to the composition of a fine murder than two blockheads to kill and be killed-a knife-a purse-and a dark lane. Design, gentlemen, grouping, light and shade, poetry, sentiment, are now deemed indispensable to attempts of this nature.” Thomas de Quincey, “On Murder Considered as One of theContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Composition of the Fine Art of Murder (Thomas De Quincey)”
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