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. There is a definite connection between understanding Milton and enjoying him. After reading a few of his sonnets a couple of times, I was able to better appreciate their meaning. I will focus specifically on Sonnets VII and XV.
In Sonnet VII, “How Soon Hath Time,” Milton conveys his feeling that time is “…the subtle thief of youth…”(1). I enjoyed this work the most, as it makes much sense and is still applicable to life almost four hundred years after it was written. This sonnet also focuses on Milton’s understanding that at twenty-three years of age he has not reached manhood, though it may seem so by his appearance. Milton sees this point in his life as the season of spring. This makes much sense if comparing life to the seasons of the year. It may be said that one is born in the winter and the earlier stages of one’s life are parallel to the progression of these cold months. As one reaches maturity they are progressing into spring. This is where Milton seems to take issue with the notion that at twenty-three years old, in the “spring” of his life, he should be entering his manhood.
“But my late spring no bud or blossom shew’th”(4). Though he should be mature as he enters the “spring” of his life, he does not feel as though he is ready for this, though time does.
“Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heaven…”(13). Here Milton knows that time will inevitably lead him to Heaven. One cannot escape the passing of time nor death. Milton shows a great understanding of time and mortality in this line. After reading this a handful of times, I was able to better understand what Milton was trying to convey to his readers and enjoy his message.
The next sonnet that I found enjoyable after reading and understanding, was Sonnet XV, “On the Lord General Fairfax at the Siege of Colchester. In this work, Milton has an ironic or maybe better, a sarcastic tone towards General Fairfax.
Fairfax, whose name in arms through Europe rings,
Filling each mouth with envy or with praise,
And all her jealous monarchs with amaze,
And rumors loud that daunt remotest kings…(lines 1-4)
In this passage, Milton is showing the power, fear, awe and jealousy that the name, General Fairfax evoked in many. Fairfax must have been a warrior that conquered peoples and nations throughout Europe. The sarcasm arrives in lines 9-10 when Milton says, “O yet a nobler task awaits thy hand;/For what can war but endless war still breed…”(lines 9-10). What is sarcastic here is that though so many revered General Fairfax, his conquests had done nothing but create more war. He is not so great or heroic as many in Europe believed him to be.
“In vain doth valor bleed…”(line 13). Here, I think Milton does a great job summarizing his sentiments about Fairfax and his insight into the seemingly endless cycle of war that Fairfax was feeding. As chivalrous as he may have seemed through his journeys and triumphs, his efforts were in vain, for they were only creating more blood and war.
I greatly enjoyed this work after understanding it due its lyrical value. Milton said a lot here about the power Europe had during his life and Europe’s feelings that they could rule the world with conquests like those of General Fairfax, but what would that do, except create an air of hostility, war and bloodshed.
I do still find Milton difficult to understand, I do enjoy the sonnets that I have written about here. His, Paradise Lost was at times confusing and I did not find it terribly interesting and his Samson Agonistes, I was unable to get through the first few pages without wondering what I had just read. Milton’s longer, later works are the ones that seem more complex and more incomprehensible. The earlier sonnets are the works of Milton that I found to be the easiest to understand and the most enjoyable. For one to enjoy these works though, one must understand them. It took many readings and much time to extract what I was able to. I am sure other people have entirely different interpretations of what was met in his writings, but that is part of the enjoyment of poetry; its’ ability to have many different meanings, to different people.
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
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
Scientific Revolution Essay Research Paper AP European
Scientific Revolution Essay, Research Paper AP European History Lin Malaitham Period IV Discuss the different beliefs, attitudes of Cervantes, Bunyan, Milton, Spinoza and Pascal. Discuss their skepticism/Dogmatic beliefs, their reasons behind it and your opinions.
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
– John Milton?s Satan; Hero Or Not? Essay, Research Paper Throughout time, John Milton?s Paradise Lost has been studied by many people and comprehended in many different fashions, developing all kinds of new interpretations of the great epic. There have been many different interpretations of this great epic.
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.
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.
John Milton Essay Research Paper John Milton
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.
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
A Prose Analysis Of Sonnet Xix Essay
, Research Paper A Prose Analysis on “Sonnet XIX” John Milton, a poet who was completely blind in 1651 wrote “Sonnet XIX” in 1652; this sonnet is his response to his loss of sight. The theme of the sonnet is the loss and regain of primacy of experience. Milton offers his philosophical view on animism and God. Furthermore, “Sonnet XIX” explores Milton’s faith and relationship with God. “Sonnet XIX” suggests that man was created to work and not rest.
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.