Question

Read the two passages from Of the Wisdom of the Ancients. Passage 1: The fable relates to the cradle and infancy of nature, and pierces deep. This Love I understand to be the appetite or instinct of primal matter; or to speak more plainly, the natural motion of the atom; which is indeed the original and unique force that constitutes and fashions all things out of matter. Passage 2: Let us now consider his attributes. He is described with great elegance as a little child, and a child for ever; for things compounded are larger and are affected by age; whereas the primary seeds of things, or atoms, are minute and remain in perpetual infancy. How do the two passages work together to develop Bacon’s argument? Passage 1 explains his central idea, while passage 2 supports it. Passage 1 provides a counter argument, while passage 2 disproves it. Passage 1 supports the central idea, while passage 2 explains what the central idea is. Passage 1 lists a supporting example, while passage 2 provides a counter argument.

Answer 1

It seems that the correct answer is a) Passage 1 explains his central idea, while passage 2 supports it. In Of the Wisdom of the Ancients, Francis Bacon tries to give the 32-Greco-Roman-legends a new interpretation. In fact, in passage one he established the central idea of the text:

•    “the natural motion of the atom; which is indeed the original and unique force that constitutes and fashions all things out of matter.”

With these lines, he states that the center of everything is the atom; it is what constitutes and defines the identity of thing/human beings.

While in passage 2 he reinforces this idea by mentioning:

•    “whereas the primary seeds of things, or atoms, are minute and remain in perpetual infancy.”  

Therefore, Bacon comments that although this character gained more attributes as he becomes older, his essence (seed/atom) will last forever.