John Milton Essay, Research Paper
John Milton: On his blindness
John Milton was born in 1608 to a Puritan family. During his service to the Commonwealth, in 1652, Milton became blind and it became necessary for others to share in his labors. His blindness occasioned one of the most moving of his sonnets, “On his blindness,” written in 1655. It records his fear that he will never be able to use his God-given gift for poetry again. Yet God may demand an accounting of his righteousness. And his entry into Heaven will depend upon how well he has used the gifts that God gave him. The sonnet ends with Milton’s acceptance of the fact that what God wants of him is obedience and resignation. He can then serve God even if he cannot write poetry, for “they also serve who only stand and wait.”
The most effective of the personal sonnets is #19, usually called “On his blindness. “This allusion to his blindness is the first of many in his poetry.
When I consider how my light is spent
When I judge how my ability to see has been taken away
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
After I have only lived half of my life
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
This is based on the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) in which the unprofitable servant was punished for burying, not using, the talent his master had given him. Milton is pondering whether he will be punished for not using his ability that is useless and will weigh down his final judgment.
To serve therewith my maker, and present
My true account, lest He returning chide,
Milton cannot serve God by using his ability to see and now he must face God in his ?true account? of being blind. And if God was to reprimand Milton because he has not served God well he will say the following:
?Doth God exact day-labor, light denied??
I fondly ask. But patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies, ?God doth not need
Either man?s work or his on gifts.
Who best bear his mild yoke, they serve him best.
Milton wonders, now that blindness has fallen upon him before half his working life is spent, whether God will still expect him to use his talent. Milton now says that with patience his murmur of spite against God, ?Doth God?? will be avoided. And patience replies: God does not need men to serve Him nor to serenade Him, whoever carry His burdens without complaint, serve him finest.
The term ?mild yoke? is a double-entendre. The ?Yoke? blindness as the burden, is not so bad a punishment. Proof that the punishment of loss of sight was not as bad as conceived was that Milton, while blind, continued to accomplish what most people who are privileged to see cannot do, to write to well-known epic poems: Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. The second meaning is that one should bear God?s burdens (yoke) in a mild manner and not complain of the suffering and serve God as best as one is able.
His state
Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed,
And post o?er land and ocean without rest;
They also serve who only stand and wait.?
God is kingly and omnipotent. Thousands serve Him at His beckoning. Milton is answered with the idea that there are angels of contemplation as well as of action; similarly, some men may serve God best who humbly accept His decrees, waiting in faith on His will. Patience replies that while God does not really need “Either man’s work or his own gift,” He wants obedience and resignation. Thousands of angels serve Him, but men “also serve who only stand and wait.” There are many scriptural passages that Milton may have had in mind, such as ?Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7).
This poem appeals to me because Milton says that at first he was concerned that he would not be admitted into heaven because he did not serve God, but later he concludes that one may go to heaven through faith in God. I can apply this to my own life and serve God with the abilities that I have, but even if that fails, I can always serve God with my faith. Milton saw himself as the prophet who had failed, the man of the Lord to whom no one listened, that he completed the epic poems Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, and Samson Agonistes to which so many listened.
31d
Другие работы по теме:
Milton To Pope Essay Research Paper In
Milton To Pope Essay, Research Paper In this essay I will attempt to contrast the type of society that would create a Milton to a society that would create a Pope. Although you may be able to
Paradise Lost Essay Research Paper In order
Paradise Lost Essay, Research Paper In order to describe something as unearthly and difficult to imagine as Hell, Milton skilfully and creatively uses images of destruction which every reader can relate to. Extreme forces of nature, in particular volcanoes, described in vivid and powerful language, easily convey to us a landscape which might otherwise have been impossible to visualise.
Milton Vs Pope Essay Research Paper A
Milton Vs Pope Essay, Research Paper A Crime of Fate In Paradise Lost, Adam and Eve commit the first sin, and from this point on, all other sins are mere copies of this. Alexander Pope uses this to his benefit when he depicts the crime in The Rape of the Lock. By alluding to Milton s work, Pope is able to comically refer to the cutting of a lock of hair as a tragic and epic event.
Foreshadowing Amid The Fall Of Man In
Milton’s Par Essay, Research Paper Foreshadowing Amid the Fall of Man in Milton’s Paradise Lost In Book IV of John Milton’s epic, Paradise Lost, Satan’s words and actions, as well as those of Adam and Eve, foreshadow the fall of man. Satan, through his actions, foreshadows, metaphorically and ironically, his success in turning man away from God.
Satan Essay Research Paper How does john
Satan Essay, Research Paper How does john Milton make Satan the most appealing and compelling character within the poem Paradise Lost. Offer your very own explanation for this ?fascination? with the devil. Can you parallel Handels? music Messiah with Miltons? poetry Paradise Lost? And, how might the music and poetry be aligned to the visual graphic art of Rembrandt?
The Heroic Aspects Of Satan In John
Milton’s Paradise Lost Essay, Research Paper Satan, otherwise known as the archfiend, is the main character in John Milton s epic poem, Paradise Lost. Historically seen as the embodiment of evil; Satan is presented in a noble manner in Milton s work and has many of the characteristics of a tragic hero. The excerpt from the poem starts with a brief summary of the events that lead up to Satan s banishment in Hell.
On The Human Experience And Tradition Essay
, Research Paper During the Renaissance, a writer named John Milton became the center of much acclaim and much controversy. His writings, though focused on various subjects, always revolved around his thoughts about religion and the human experience. Particularly, Milton wrote from the standpoint of a Christian Humanist.
Paradise Lost 2 Essay Research Paper Paradise
Paradise Lost 2 Essay, Research Paper Paradise Lost Milton is widely considered to be one of the five greatest poets in the English language and Paradise Lost, a religious epic, is his greatest masterpiece. As stated in the beginning of the first book of Paradise Lost, Milton’s intention for writing his religious epic is, among some other things, to justify the ways of God to men.
The Renaissance Period Essay Research Paper The
The Renaissance Period Essay, Research Paper The Renaissance period is a rebirth of the cultured and artistic sprite of the classical era. It began in Italy in the 14th century, but did not come the England till the 19th century. John Donne and John Milton were two great Renaissance poets who incorporated many of the characteristics of the Renaissance into their Poetry.
Alexander Pope And John Milton Essay Research
Paper Alexander Pope’s An Essay on Man is an attempt to vindicate, as Milton had attempted to justify, the ways of God to man. Both attempt to explain God to man, but come up with different conclusions. Milton states that man can overcome God’s design through faith and decency. In contrast, Pope remarks that man must accept what life gives him without trying to change his fate.
Fall Of Man Essay Research Paper The
Fall Of Man Essay, Research Paper The Fall of Man Over the course of time, there have been many interpretations of man’s fall from grace, as told by the Bible. Among the literary interpretations are those of John Milton’s Paradise Lost and the American poet Louis Untermeyer’s “Eve Speaks.” John Milton’s epic poem deals with the entire story of man’s fall from grace, including background for Satan’s motives.
Paradise Lost The Devil Compared To
A Military School Cadet Essay, Research Paper How does John Milton portray Satan in his poem, Paradise Lost ? In this epic poem, Satan s traits include pride, treachery, and persistent spitefulness. I believe that these character traits compare to the leadership of Howe Military School.
Paradise Lost God And Satan Essay Research
Paper In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, he tells of Satan’s banishment from Heaven. He and his brigade have plotted war against God and are now doomed to billow in the fiery pits of hell. Satan is a complex character with many meaningful qualities. The relationship between Satan’s qualities and Hell’s atmosphere tell the reader more about why they
Milton Essay Research Paper Religion was the
Milton Essay, Research Paper Religion was the most important part of Milton?s personal life, and exerted the greatest influence on his literary endeavors. John Milton was born in London to
Eve Essay Research Paper Anne Ferry s
Eve Essay, Research Paper Anne Ferry s Milton s Creation of Eve A significant amount of debate and criticism in the last few decades has focused its attention on Milton s attitude toward women, most specifically Eve in
John Milton Essay Research Paper John Milton 2
John Milton Essay, Research Paper John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” describes the fall of man in a poetic lyric. His book closely details the character God, Satan, and how Adam and Eve came do their downfall. God’s first human creation, Adam, was given all luscious gifts of paradise, including free will. The Tree Of Knowledge was Adam and Eve’s only forbiddance.
Paradise Lost Essay Research Paper Paradise LostMilton
Paradise Lost Essay, Research Paper Paradise Lost Milton writes Paradise Lost in the tradition of a classic epic poem. All epic poems contain some common features. Milton follows this outline with great precision and style. His poem uses the guidelines of an epic poem and elaborates upon them to make his poem one of the most popular epics written.
Epic Characteristics Of Paradise Lost Essay Research
Paper Paradise Lost is one of the finest examples of epic tradition in all of literature. In composing this work, John Milton was, for the most part, following in the manner of epic poets of past centuries. By knowing the background of epic characteristics and conventions, it is easy to trace their presence in Book I of Paradise Lost.
Inferno Versus Paradise Lost Essay Research Paper
Inferno vs. Paradise Lost The two stories Inferno by Dante and Paradise Lost by Milton were written about the biblical hell and its keeper; Satan. Both of these authors had different views about hell and Satan.
Paradise Lost An Epic Poem Essay Research
Paper Paradise Lost: An Epic Poem ————————— By analyzing John Milton’s Paradise Lost, it is plain to see it is a fine example of epic poetry. For the most part, John Milton follows the three main guidelines that construct
John Steinbeck And Of Mice And Man
Essay, Research Paper John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men is nothing short of magnificent. The book is about two men that travel together looking for work. The plot centers on George
Paradise Lost Satan Essay Research Paper Paradise
Paradise Lost: Satan Essay, Research Paper Paradise Lost: Satan’s Character In Milton’s first book of Paradise Lost, Satan, the expected evil archfiend of the epic, is actually depicted as a powerful and heroic character. Satan’s passionate and ambitious character is more intriguing than God’s reasonable and mild personality.
Paradise Lost By John Milton (1608 -
– 1674) Essay, Research Paper Few literary poems attempt to take on such a huge theme as Paradise Lost. Milton himself, in the Argumentum that begins the poem, claims to have produced the greatest poem ever written,
Paradise Lost By Milton And Hell Essay
, Research Paper Thesis: In Paradise Lost, Milton creates a Hell that is easily imagined through his use of concrete images, powerful diction, and serious tone. I. Paradise Lost
The Poet John Milton Essay Research Paper
John Milton The poet, John Milton, has written books like “Paradise Lost” and “Paradise Regained” that are two of the greatest poems he ever wrote. He is an English poet and a political writer who is thought to be the next better poet than Shakespeare. John Milton, the author of “Paradise Lost” considered by many people to be the greatest epic poem in English language.
Areopagitica By Milton Essay Research Paper What
Areopagitica By Milton Essay, Research Paper What is the meaning of virtue? Milton answers this question in his speech Areopagitica. Milton will dicuss his meaning of virtue and show his anger at
John Milton Essay Research Paper Although John
John Milton Essay, Research Paper Although John Milton was raised in London, his father was raised in Oxfordshire. So Milton had a city background as well as a rural one. Not only did he have the knowledge of two different cultures he was brought up in the difference of religious beliefs. His father, John Milton Senior, was raised by a devout Roman Catholic.
John Milton 2
John Milton – Understanding Essay, Research Paper Understanding and Enjoying the Poetry of John Milton Though he is a difficult poet to understand, John Milton can be enjoyable once he is understood. After multiple readings of his sonnets, the meanings of each become much clearer. If one cannot understand Milton, one cannot enjoy him.
Basics On Keats Essay Research Paper John
Basics On Keats Essay, Research Paper -John Keats was born in 1795 and died in 1821 -John Keats was born in Moorfield, England -John Keats had two brothers, George and Tom, and a sister Fanny
Paradise Lost Essay Research Paper Paradise LostIn
Paradise Lost Essay, Research Paper Paradise Lost In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, we learn of Milton’s epic poem that deals with the entire story of man’s fall from grace, including background for Satan’s motives. In Book 1 of the poem, a brief introduction mentions the fall of Adam and Eve caused by the serpent, which was Satan, who led the angels in revolt against God and was cast into hell.
Paradise Lost Essay Research Paper Paradise Lost 2
Paradise Lost Essay, Research Paper Paradise Lost OutlineThesis: In Paradise Lost, Milton creates a Hell that is easily imagined through his use of concrete images, powerful diction, and serious tone. I. Paradise Lost is a great epicA. “John Milton?.a dedicated figure, in the seventeenth-century English literature” (Diaches 390).B.
Reflections Of Milton In Milton Essay Research
Paper English III AP 28 January 1997 Reflections of Milton in Milton At a young age, John Milton was convinced that he was destined for greatness. He thought that he “might perhaps leave
Chaucer And Milton Essay Research Paper The
Chaucer And Milton Essay, Research Paper The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, and Paradise Lost by John Milton both show how big the role was by women to contribute to the downfall of man. Each of these authors portrays women s actions in different ways. Chaucer, in his female pilgrimages thought of women has having an evil-like quality, which was that they always tempt and take from men.
Winesburg Ohio Essay Research Paper Winesburg Ohio
Winesburg Ohio Essay, Research Paper Winesburg, Ohio Final Essay George Williard’s decision to depart Winesburg in Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson is comparable to George Milton’s decision to leave the ranch in Of Mice of Men by John Steinbeck. Several factors activate Williard and Milton to depart, and one reason is they both long for a more fulfilling life.