Of the Spectator Club
Essay
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Richard Steele
The Spectator Club Main Text
THE SPECTATOR
Friday, March 2, 1711
Ast Alli sex Et plures uno conclamant ore.-- Juv
THE first of our Society is a Gentleman of Worcestershire, of antient Descent, a Baronet, his Name Sir ROGER DE COVERLY. His great Grandfather was Inventor of that famous Country-Dance which is call'd after him. All who know that Shire are very well acquainted with the Parts and Merits of Sir ROGER. He is a Gentle...
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Of the Spectator Club Key Facts
Full Title: The Spectator Club
Essayist: Sir Richard Steele
Famous For: Introducing the main fictional members of The Spectator periodical
Literary Type: Periodical Essay, Character Sketch
Published In: The Spectator, No. 2
First Published: March 2, 1711
Main Characters: Sir Roger de Coverley, The Templar, Sir Andrew Freeport, Captain Sentry, Will Honeycomb, The Clergyman, and the silent Mr. Spect...
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The Spectator Club Themes
Diversity in Society: The club brings together people from different backgrounds and jobs. Each member’s life is different. The essay shows how people with opposite experiences can sit together and talk.
Friendship and Respect: All the club members have their own habits and ideas. They are very different from each other. Still, they are friends and show respect. They accept each other’s faults and...
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The Spectator Club Literary Device
Figures of Speech
Metaphor: Sir Roger is called “a baronet, of an ancient descent.” His family “invented the famous country-dance.” Here, Sir Roger’s family is compared to tradition itself.
Simile: Will Honeycomb talks about learning “as others do men.” He remembers fashion styles as other men remember people. This compares two different things using “as.”
Irony: Sir Andrew Freeport jokes, calling...
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Of the Spectator Club Summary
Introduction of the Club Members: The essay begins by introducing the club members. The first is Sir Roger de Coverley. He is from Worcestershire and is a baronet (A type of hereditary British honorary title). Sir Roger is liked by everyone. He once loved a widow but was rejected. This changed him and made him dress simply. Sir Roger is friendly and fair to his tenants and servants. He is a justic...
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The Spectator Club Character
Sir Roger de Coverley: Sir Roger is a kind and joyful country gentleman. He comes from Worcestershire and an old family. He is a baronet and about fifty-six years old. Sir Roger is cheerful and friendly. He was once very fashionable and brave. In his youth, he was rejected by a widow. Since then, he stopped caring about new fashions. He wears the same style of clothes for years. Sir Roger is not s...
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The Spectator Club Quotations
“Sir Roger de Coverley, of Worcestershire, a baronet.”
Explanation: Sir Roger is introduced as a well-known country gentleman and baronet from Worcestershire. This shows his important and respected place in society.
“He keeps himself a bachelor by reason he was crossed in love by a perverse beautiful widow…”
Explanation: Sir Roger is still unmarried because a beautiful widow once rejected his lov...
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