Introduction: Francis Bacon (1561-1626) is one of the prose writers in the history of English literature. He is considered a great master of practicality. He has provided some practical advice in his essays. In his essay “Of Marriage and Single Life,” he portrays the advantages and disadvantages of remaining unmarried.
To Read More: Discuss Bacon as an essayist with reference to his essays.
According to Bacon, unmarried people are best friends, because they do not have to care for their families. They have much time and energy, and also money to spend on their friends and sweethearts. They can devote their whole attention to their friends. Unmarried men are best masters in the sense that they are kind and sympathetic. Unmarried people are not as strict with their slaves as married people. They are very gentle with their subordinates so they can be good masters to their subordinates.
As servants, unmarried people are freer to others. They devote themselves to their masters. But they lead indifferent life. They cannot be good citizens because of their indifferent life. They are used to a free life. They can run away at any time. As single men are free from family responsibilities. They are steady in their conduct. Unmarried people are Like soldiers without baggage. They can run away more easily from the performance of their duties as citizens of a state. Single people do not have the same sense of responsibility as married people. For these reasons, bacon says “Unmarried men are best friends, best masters, best servants; but not always the best subjects.
Conclusion: From Bacon’s utilitarian consideration attitude to unmarried people, we can say that both married and unmarried life has some advantages and disadvantages but everything depends on our attitude.
To Read More: Write on Burke’s Prose Style.
