The Age of John Milton (1625-1660)

Milton covers almost the first seventy years of the 17th century. He is the connecting link between the age of Queen Elizabeth, the Puritan Age and the Restoration Age. The first phase, the time of the reign of Charles I, that is known as The Caroline Period (1625- 1649) and the second phase is the Commonwelth Period ( 1649-1660), the time of English Civil War, also known as The Puritan Age. It means he lived in the time of four Kings: James I (1603-1625); Charles I (1625-1649); Oliver Cromwell (1649-1660) and Charles I (1660-1685).

PURITANISM: It is considered as the renaissance of the moral sense of man which raised as the greatest controlling; moral, political and social force. After the Queen Elizabeth when James I came to the throne, the Divine Kings theory was spoiled as James I and his ministers were corrupt and have evil morality. After the defeat of Spanish Armada in 1588, the criticism of the corruption in Church and parliament touched the zenith. And finally the tactlessness of Charles I, resulting the English Civil War broke out in 1641. The king’s supporters were known as the Cavaliers and the Parliament’s supporters were known as the Roundheads. John Milton was a Round head. The basic demands of the Puritans were freedom of religion, expression and purification.

Milton’s Life and Career (1608-1674)

John Milton was born on December 9, 1608 at Bred Street, Cheapside London. His schooling was completed at St. Paul’s School, where no one encouraged his taste of English Poetry. Milton also had a tutor at home, Thomas Young, a scotchman who later became an eminent Puritan clergy. Thomus Young inspired his poetry and guided him to his Puritan Idealism. Later Milton went to Christ College, Cambridge and took his BA and MA degree.

John Milton was the most influencing figure of this Period. His interest in history and politics can be seen in his works. During the English Civil War he supported the republicans. Though he wrote for the freedom of expression that Puritans deny, but he believed in Republic, as there are more ideals than in a Monarchy. Areopagetica, a plea for the free expression, was published in 1644 in prose style.

He married Marry Powell, in 1643, the daughter of a royalist, despite of having 4 children, the marriage proved unfortunate. Due to excessive reading, Milton went blind at the age of 44 (in 1652-53). Secondly he married Catherine Woodcock (1656) but she passed away almost after a year leaving a child behind. After the Restoration of monarchy, when he was tortured, his third wife Elizabeth Minshull (married in 1663) comforted him and he enjoyed this union. Milton died in 1674, on November 8th. He was buried at St. Giles Church, Cripplegate.

Notable Works of John Milton

Milton wrote 24 sonnets including, “On His Blindness”, ” On His Twenty Third Birthday” and “When the Assault was Intended ” . These all are famous Petrarchan sonnets. The following are some more important works by Milton:-

• Comus (1634) : A Masque Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634. It was initially presented as a celebration of John Egerton, The First Earl of Bridgewater. Comus is about a pair of brothers who, along with their sister, Alice, who is referred to as “the Lady”, are lost in the woods and Comus (evil figure) , takes her to his castle. He tries to entice her fooling her chastity. The brothers with the help of the goddess of the River, Sabrina save Alice.
• Lycidas (1637) : “Lycidas” is John Milton’s great elegy for his friend Edward King, a fellow student at Cambridge who drowned in 1637.
• Areopagitica (1644) : It’s original title was “Areopagitica; A Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenced Printing, To the Parlament of England.” It is among history’s most influential and impassioned philosophical defences of the principle of a right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Paradise Lost (1667) : {a volume of 12 books} It is the greatest work of Milton in Epic Style and Blank verse. It’s about Satan’s rebellious actions against God. Satan spoils Eve in Paradise Lost and both Adam and Eve are punished by God and sent to the Earth for remorse. (7th and 10 books were split)
• Paradise Regained (1671) : Milton wrote a companion piece, Paradise Regained, in 1671, which dramatizes the temptation of Christ. It also deals with the Evil and good.
• Samson Agonists (1671) : A classical tragedy which draws on the story of Samson from the Old Testament (Bible). Samson has been captured by the Philistines, had his hair, the container of his strength, cut off and his eyes cut out. His friend, His father and his false wife Delia visits him. Harapha (a wrestler) taunts him and when he is taken to governor’s mansion to show his skills and amuse the audience, he kills everyone alongwith himself, present there by pulling down the pillars and collapsing the mansion.

Features and Style in Milton’s Poetry

Comparing two great poets of England, Shakespeare was a dramatist and a poet of universal humanity; on the other hand Milton was the poet of Epics and Puritan Idealism. Puritanism, Sublimity, Classicism and Loftiness are the chief characteristics of his works. He wrote 24 sonnets.

A Metrical Artist

John Milton was a true artist, as he wrote the great epics and he had similar mastery over short poetry (sonnets). The uniqueness of L’ Allegro and II Penseroso are unique in English Poetry. Ode on the Nativity of Christ (ode) and Lycidas (elegy) are also incomparable to their styles. He is the master of blank verse.

Puritanism

Milton was a roundhead and supporter of Puritan Idealism. He advocated the Church reform and the freedom of religion and expression. In Paradise Lost, his chief motive is to ,”justify the ways of God to men”. His choice of religious subjects, in later poems and sense of morality and responsibility is purely Puritan.

Sublimity

Milton is the second great poet of England. He stands next only to Shakespeare. The supreme quality of his poetry is Sublimity. Sublimity in poetry arises when noble thoughts find a noble expression. Not lovers and lasses, but God, Satan, Adam, Eve and Christ are the characters that Milton introduces in his poetry. In Comus, he presents sublime thoughts concerning virtue and chastity. In Paradise Lost, the conflict between good and evil, and final victory of good over evil.

Classicism

The glorification of beauty, music, art, love and exuberance of life is known as Hellenism or Classicism. Milton’s Poetry reveals such classicism at every step. His selection of words and characters is unique. Paradise Lost in Epic Style, Samson Agonists, a Greek tragedy and pastoral elegy Lycidas show his interest in classical literature.

Loftiness

Milton lived a pure and disciplined life, as he thinks a poet must be. The use of Latin words is not pedantry or a boastful show of knowledge. He used the language and diction according to his superhuman characters.

In short we can say that Milton is unique in the sure and flawless perfection of his diction and versification. Loftiness of thoughts and majesty of expression combine to make his style “grand” and “sublime”. “Life of Milton” is included in the “Lives of poets (52 poets)” by Dr Samuel Johnson.

“When I consider how my light is spent”

TEXT

When I consider how my light is spent, 
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, 
And that one Talent which is death to hide
Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present 
My true account, lest he returning chide; 
“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But patience, to Prevent
That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. 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.”

INTRODUCTION

“On His Blindness” is one of the most known sonnets of John Milton. The name “On His Blindness” was assigned a century later by Bishop Thomas Newton in his 1761’s poems. There is no authentic date of composition of this poem but as it didn’t appear in his 1645’s Poems collection, so it was written after 1645. It may have been written in 1652, although most of the scholars believe that it was written somewhat between June and October 1655, when Milton was completely blind. Milton gave the sonnet number 19, in his autograph notebook Trinity Manuscript, but the in the published book it was numbered 16. It was first published in Milton’s 1673’s Poems. The other title of the poem is “When I consider how my light is spent”.

THEME OF THE POEM

The poem is autobiographical. It deals with the internal conflict of the poet. As Milton loses his eyesight at the age of forty-four, he is worried about this physical loss. He thinks that the talent of composing poems in praise of God is useless now. His inner turmoil complains that God has taken his eyesight, therefore he can’t be expected to provide any service to his Maker. But before finishing his question he remembers that how foolish he is to question the Almighty. His agony is now satisfied by Patience, that God never asks to return His gifts and work, as their are thousands of his servants to serve him. The best service to God is bearing the sufferings and misfortunes. The poem reflects the strong and firm faith/belief of the poet in God.

VOCABULARY

• Light : eyesight
• Ere : archaic form of before
• Talent : writing skills
• Lodged : kept
• Account : service records
• Maker : God
• Exact : claim, require (as a verb)
• Doth : archaic form of Does
• Fondly : foolishly
• Murmur : to say something in a low quiet voice
• Yoke : burden, sufferings
• Kingly : like a King
• Bidding : ordering
• Post : travel

EXPLANATION

The sonnet opens with the poets complaint that he has turned blind even before half of his life. He becomes blind at the age of forty-four. Due to blindness the world has become dark and wide. He is deeply anguished at the thought that the talent of writing, which God has given him, is lying useless with him. Though he is desirous to serve his Maker (God), with his poetic talent. He wishes to write great poems and epics praising God and justifying His ways to man, but alas ! now he is blind and thus cannot do what he desires.

He fears that if his God gifted talent, like in the story of the parable of talent, remains useless, God might be angry and rebuke him when he returns to Him for not making the proper use of His Gifts. He compares his inability to write with spritual, mental and physical death.

The poet is determined to serve God. He wants to present his true service to God by composing religious poems. Then he wonders if God still expects him to write noble poetry when He has made him blind.

But the very next momen, the poet’s firm faith in God and religion asserts itself and he consoles himself with the thought that his question to God’s will is foolish. God doesn’t require any service form man. He never asks to return His gifts that he has bestowed on individuals. He is like a King, He needs nothing from man. He is the Supremo, He is the Almighty.

Now, the poet presents the important point that “Those who bears his mild Yoke, serve him best”. The one who bears the sufferings and misfortunes patiently, serve best to him. God has infinite number of servants and angels, who could carry out his commands wherever in this universe and can do whatever he asks.

Finally, with the concluding line, poet says that they also serve who just “stand and wait” fir their turn. As the poet has become blind, he need not worry about anything, because He has a purpose for everyone and everything. So submit to His will silently and question him not.

STYLE AND STRUCTURE OF THE POEM

John Milton’s “On His Blindness” is a Petrarchan sonnet. Single stanza poem, with an octave (ABBA ABBA rhyme) and a sestet (CDE CDE rhyme). Generally in the Petrarchan/Miltonic sonnets Volta (the turn of thoughts) occurs in 9th line (in sestet) but in this poem Volta occurred in the 8th line. Each line is written in iambic pentameter, consisting five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables.

FIGURES OF SPEECH

• PUN : In the very first line “When I consider how my light is spent” the clause gives two meanings, (1) how he spent his days, and (2) how he became blind. Similarly the word “light” means, (1) eyesight, and (2) prudence/wit.
• ALLITERATION : In the second line, “My days in this dark world and wide”, the repetition of ‘w’ and ‘d’.
• ALLUSION : In lines 3 to 6, there is a biblical allusion, “Parable of the Talent” (verses 14 to 30) in chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew.
• METAPHOR : In lines 3 and 4, “though my soul more bent/To serve therewith my maker” the “soul” is compared to poets mind. Similarly, the words “Light”, “Talent”, “Patience” and “Yoke” have the metaphorical quality.
• PERSONIFICATION : In the lines 8 and 9, “But patience, to prevent/ That murmur, soon replies….” the word “patience” has been personified.
• PARADOX : In line 11, “Bear his mild-yoke….”, here the yoke means sufferings and misfortunes, these can’t be mild.
• RUN-ON-ENJAMBMENT : Throughout the poem many lines run into the next lines without pause.

PARABLE OF TALENT

The Parable of the Talents is a well-known parable found in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew. It is a story told by Jesus and he describes a man who goes on a journey, entrusting his servants with his wealth and possessions in his absence. To one servant, the master gives five talents. To a second servant, he gives two talents, and to a third servant, he gives one talent (silver or gold coin).

The two of the servants, the one given five talents and the one-handed two, were good stewards of their master’s money, investing it in such a way that when the master returned, they handed back double what he had originally given them. The third servant, however, was not so prudent. According to the story, “the one who received the one talent went away and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money”.

When the master eventually did return, the faithful servants were praised and entrusted with more of the master’s wealth. “Well done, good and faithful servant,” the master said to each of them. “You were faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master”. The third servant who was fearful and negligent, however, was swiftly reprimanded by his master, who called him “wicked, lazy, and worthless.” His talent was taken and given to the one with ten talents.