Inspiration

After a pleasing day visiting the medieval homes in the area, the vast fields and effortless charm of Burton Agnes Hall then finally the coastline for a summery beach walk I now feel ready to write. One must launch a comprehensive study into the work and personal life of William Hogarth and his associates from the 18th Century, a full trajectory of the admirable Vauxhall Gardens built almost 360 years ago sparked by advocating of modern art with tradition. They of course, wonderfully I must say, supported John Milton's work with a hearty artificiality and used his classical words for their artistic effect. I aim to write a book twinning the celebrating of the past with their modernist views, the 18th Century life and using their means as an encouragement for people's desires and to follow their heart.

This is an example of the literature surrounding Hogarth, focusing on his humour and satire of which I find to be of great interest but I wish to offer a completely different outlook to this particular mirth. Similarly, the second chapter of Milton and English Art which is superbly written by Marcia R. Pointon, offers the unbiased view of Hogarth and Joseph Warton's great appreciation of the late products of the Antique World whilst referring to the 'exact nature of the relations between Hogarth's group and the current neo-classical views of the establishment at the time'. Which incidentally, could be said to be the ethos of my outlook- a juxtaposition of the current establishment with the burning question of how Hogarth and similarly Augustan writers such as Shafesbury, Dryden and Pope not forgetting Milton can be still popular in today’s chaotic and over-populated society.

What struck me dowdily about Hogarth was his patriotic nature, he despised imported art and such hence 'Burlington Gate' (1724) and his dislike of France whereby after just one visit he was by all accounts 'dissatisfied with all he saw'. Clearly the man had an excellent boisterous nature and good taste thus would be much welcomed to my home. The title of the study/book shall be 'A Compendious Tale of Life: William Hogarth'.

Another relevance to this entire study would be that it binds together Hogarth's most admired men who coincidentally, I shall be studying in intense detail in the upcoming academic year- John Milton and William Shakespeare. So in turn, I'll be studying all three men at the same critical point in my learning experience as I approach second year and my hopeful rise to maturity within my writing especially.

Now back to a point made earlier, the medieval exploration which lead to the discovery of a home 'The Manor House' built in 1170 and still in fabulous condition with the upkeep of its former structure by those employed by the English Heritage. It was adjacent to the Elizabethan stylish halls as seen here and within it's glorious gardens I discovered thousands of plants, flowers of tastefully quintessential English undertones. This inspired me to list the names of those I thought could be present in Tudor times and such events as fete champetre to be used in my upcoming short story 'Surely Gracious Lord...' of which the blurb goes 'on the life of the Tudor times, a raging war and purposely self gain inflicted era from The Battle of the Spurs and back home the monarch is suppressing his subjects viciously. One knight returns disillusioned almost angered thus seeking a new order only to find himself within dire circumstances..' In addendum, shall soon start on the tale of 'The Angel of Death' and the story of my great grandfather in 'Condemned As A Killer' and maybe even a jovial take on a schizophrenic whom takes on the banking industry! Or has that already been done?

It is a time to be pertinacious, to write and continuously volunteer for the charities with potentially working in the schools should my application be successful. I look forward to such experiences that shall shape my life and can only hope you all have equal excitement about the coming months.