Charles Lamb Vs Francis Bacon. Who was a better essayist?

Answer 1

No, no, you should NOT compare the two--not to determine which is best, that is.

It would be a bit like comparing John Milton with Charles Dickens, or John Keats with e e cummings, or Rabindranath Tagore with R. K. Narayan. You just can't do it.

Each man--Bacon and Lamb--made his own unique contribution to the development of English literature through the essay. "The essay . . . produces the artistic or literary effect or illusion of witnessing thinking in progress, in process; it is the act of thinking through writing." [Source below.]

Bacon introduced Montaigne's "essais" (or "attempts") into English, giving the form his own distinctive touch. He wrote what now we would call "reflective" or "serious" essays. They are short pieces dealing with philosophical ideas, filled with aphorisms, and putting forth a personal point of view, but expecting readers to accept his ideas and recognize their validity. Just look at a few of his titles to see how serious he took himself and his works: Of Truth, Of Death, Of Adversity, Of Envy, Of Love, Of Friendship, Of Nature in Men, Of Building, Of Gardens, Of Studies (the last of which is probably his best known). Bacon's essays are a serious thinker's sharing of ideas.

Charles Lamb, on the other hand, perfected and modeled what, using William Hazlitt's term, came to be called "familiar" essays. We would now call them "personal" or "light" essays, more about his experiences than ideas, more the by-paths of a thinker than serious thinking in an aphoristic form. Just look at some of his titles to see the differences: Christ's Hospital Five-and-Thirty Years Ago (about his growing up and schooling), Valentine's Day, My First Play, Dream Children: A Reverie, A Dissertation upon Roast Pig (probably his best known, almost a parody), Poor Relations, The Superannuated Man, Old China, Confessions of a Drunkard. The familiar essay is becoming more popular once again in the 21st century, often given the heading "literary nonfiction." It verges upon memoir or story-telling, and is often humorous or lightly satirical or at least light-hearted.

Bacon wrote to make us think (and experience his thinking); Lamb wrote to give us pleasure (and to let us watch him thinking about his own experiences).

So don't judge them, one against the other. Bacon gave us English-speaking readers the essay; Lamb and his contemporaries gave us the familiar essay. "Of Truth" vs. "A Dissertation upon Roast Pig."

So don't ask. Which do you like better, a spinach salad or a chocolate mousse?

As for me, I'll take one of each, thank you. With a juicy sirloin steak in between.

OK, for a brisk breakfast, I'll have Bacon -- with coffee.

For a leisurely dinner, I'll have Lamb -- and Chablis.

Answer 2

Charles Lamb, of course. Essays by Elia is still one of my favorite works.
I know this is more comparing apples and oranges as they dealt with very different topics and situations.
I think Bacon focuses on "great ideas" and the highest ideals. He wrote a lot of great stuff about religion/philosophy, politics, etc.
Elia does so on a more practical and personal level. Funny, dramatic, off-handed, yet in a very literate and in sometimes a high-brow way.
Bacon is trying to preach. Elia is just ranting and showing his experience. But Elia does this in such a conversational, yet scholarly way. Very fascinating.
Ok...so I'm a big fan.

Answer 3

I prefer Francis Bacon, even though there're some Latin phrases/statements within every 5-10 lines. "Of Studies" is one of the best, most of his essays are readable and understandable. However, the essays by Charles Lamb are a bit lengthy with abstract words and ideas so you need time or scholarly experience to comprehend his messages.

Answer 4

Neither, it's George Orwell