The Battle of the Books
The Battle of the Books is a satirical essay written by Jonathan Swift in 1704. It is a mock-heroic battle between books in the King's Library, representing the ancients and the moderns. The ancients are represented by the works of Homer, Virgil, and Horace, while the moderns are represented by the works of Shakespeare, Milton, and Dryden.
The battle is fought between two armies of books, with the librarian of the King's Library as the referee. The ancients are victorious, and the moderns are forced to retreat. The essay is a humorous and satirical look at the debate between the ancients and the moderns, and the importance of literature in society.
By Jonathan Swift · First published 1704 · Genre: Satire, Classical Literature, Fiction · 21 chapters
Contents
- A Full and True Account of the Battle Fought Last Friday Between the Ancient and the Modern Books in Saint James's Library
- The Episode of Bentley and Wotton
- A Meditation Upon a Broomstick
- Predictions for the Year 1708
- The Accomplishment of the First of Mr. Bickerstaff's Predictions; Being an Account of the Death of Mr. Partridge the Almanack-maker, Upon the 29th Instant
- Baucis and Philemon
- The Logicians Refuted
- The Puppet Show
- Cadenus and Vanessa
- Stella's Birthday, 1718
- Stella's Birthday, 1720
- Stella's Birthday
- Stella's Birthday, 1724
- Stella's Birthday, March 13, 1726
- To Stella
- The First He Wrote Oct. 17, 1727
- The Second Prayer Was Written Nov. 6, 1727
- The Beasts' Confession (1732)
- An Argument to Prove That the Abolishing of Christianity in England May, as Things Now Stand, Be Attended With Some Inconveniences, and Perhaps Not Produce Those Many Good Effects Proposed Thereby
- Hints Towards an Essay on Conversation
- Thoughts on Various Subjects
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