John Milton was that one poet in the history of English Literature who
was one of the most celebrated writers who are still remembered for their
imaginative artistic creations, he possessed such a strong personality that he cannot
be taken to represent any one but himself. Milton was the greatest poet of
the Puritan age, and he stands head and shoulders above all his contemporaries,
though he completely identified himself with Puritanism. His extensive
reading included both classical and modern works of religion, science,
Philosophy, history, politics and literature. In addition, Milton was
proficient in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, Spanish, and Italian along with
knowledge of Old English and Dutch as well.
Samuel Johnson writes “ It appears in all his writings
that had unusual concomitant of great abilities, a lofty and steady confidence
in himself, perhaps not without some contempt of others; for scarcely any man
ever wrote so much, and praised so few. Of his praise he was very frugal; as he
set its value high, and considered his mention of a name as a security against
the waste of time, and a certain preservative from oblivion.”
Though Milton praised
Spenser, Shakespeare, and Ben Jonson as poets, he was different from them all.
We do not find the exuberance of Spenser in his poetry. Unlike Shakespeare
Milton is superbly egoistic. In his verse, which is harmonious and musical, we
find no trace of the harshness of Ben Jonson. In all his
poetry, Milton sings about himself and his own lofty soul. Being a
deeply religious man and also endowed with artistic merit of a high degree, he
combined in himself the spirits of the Renaissance and the Reformation. In fact
no other English poet was so profoundly religious and so much an artist.
Milton’s early poetry is lyrical. The
important poems of the early period are: The Hymn on the
Nativity (1629), Lycidas (1637), and Comus (1934),
etc. The Hymn was written when Milton was only twenty-one, shows
that his lyrical genius was already highly developed.
Besides
these poems a few great sonnets such as When the Assault was intended to
the City, also belong to Milton’s early period. Full of deeply-felt
emotions, these sonnets are among the noblest in the English language, and they
bridge the gulf between the lyrical tone of Milton’s early poetry, and the
deeply moral and didactic tone of his later poetry.
When the Civil War broke out in
1642, Milton threw himself heart and soul into the struggle against
King Charles I. He devoted the best years of his life, when his poetical powers
were at their peak, to this national movement. But when he returned to poetry
to accomplish the ideal he had in his mind, Milton found himself
completely blind. Moreover after the death of Cromwell and the coming of
Charles II to the throne, Miltonbecame friendless. His own wife and
daughters turned against him. But undaunted by all these
misfortunes, Milton girded up his loins and wrote his greatest
poetical works—Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained and Samson
Agonistes.
On account of the richness and profusion of its
imagery, descriptions of strange lands and seas, and the use of strange
geographical names, Paradise Lost is called the last great
Elizabethan poem. But It’sperfectly organized in design, its firm outlines and
Latinised diction make it essentially a product of the neo—classical or the
Augustan period in English Literature. In Paradise Lost the most
prominent is the figure of Satan who possesses the qualities of Milton himself,
and who represents the indomitable heroism of the Puritans against Charles I.It
is written in blank verse of the Elizabethan dramatist, but it is hardened and
strengthened to suit the requirements of an epic poet.
Paradise
Regained which deals with subject of Temptation in the
Wilderness is written, unlike Paradise Lost, in the form of
discussion and not action. Not very sublime as Paradise Lost, It has
a quieter atmosphere, but it does not betray a decline in poetic power.
There are no proper definitions to
define Milton’s greatness as a poet. The reason why readers still love to read
Milton’s work in an era completely different from that era of Puritanism where
imagination had no wings, is because being a Puritan poet Milton took
imagination to a new grade of excellence which was a tough task in those times.
Milton kept on writing but he never knew that he was about to glorify a new
history. His works are Milestones in the history of English Literature which
acted as the foundation which today has led Literature to touch the skies and
flourish throughout the world as Literature lovers are emerging like strong
waves in the ocean. His readers surely know the depth of his writings and
creativity which leaves a magical touch over them and the essence of his
passion for English Literature is always felt just as Philip Pullman says:
“Blake said Milton was a true poet and of the Devil's party without
knowing it. I am of the Devil's party and know it”.
Ibrahim
Abdeali (Ace)
Student
