Class XI, ENGLISH, Summary, "The Character of a Happy Life"

Introduction of the Poet

The poem The Character of a Happy Life, has been written by Sir Henry Wotton. He was born in Kent and the son of country gentleman. In this poem Wotton has described the characteristics of a person who can truly be called a happy man.

Introduction of the Poem

We find Wotton’s poem is a sharp sense of contrast between the uneasy life of the ambitious man and the contented life of man satisfied to live an obscure life of peaceful virtue. Sir Henry Wotton wrote from experience; for he was a distinguished servant of the crown who had seen for himself the rise and fall of ambitious men. The poem consisting of six stanzas of regular couplet rhymed.

“Nature is the peace not the Land.”

__________________________________ John Keats

Summary

A person who has freedom of will and thought leads a happy life. He does not act according to other people’s wishes. His only weapon is his simplicity and truth.

Such an upright man is not a slave of his desires. He is always prepared for death. This man is not concerned about being famous or in what people say about him publicly or privately.

This upright man is not jealous of chance or foul play. He knows that flattery gives the deepest wounds. He does not abide by the rules of the society which compel a person to do unwanted deeds. He follows the rules of goodness which will lead him to the right path.

A happy man’s life is free from numerous when he is sad he retires in his comfort of clear conscience. He hasn’t got a high position. Therefore people don’t flatter him or nick him at his down fall. A happy man prays to God regularly. In this prayer he does not ask for rocks but he asks God to be gracious and merciful on him. His favourite positive is good book or friend. A man who is truly happy is free from slavery of his desires. He isn’t ambitious. He does not expect too much therefore his hopes aren’t shattered. He doesn’t fear a downfall. This man hasn’t got lands or wealth and yet he has everything. He has got the greatest wealth of contentment and happiness.

Conclusion

The poet described the characteristics of a noble and happy man, who is honest, simple, not slave of his desires. He follows the rules of goodness, which will lead him to the right path.