Milton Study Guide

Milton Study Guide

• Il Penseroso:
• antithetical contrast to L'Allegro
• evokes melancholy → somewhat romantic and idealistic
• Plot: writer is depressed, resolves to isolation to find enlightenment → seeks Christian/divine reward for devotion
• Imagery:
• transition from classical imagery to Christian imagery
• evokes “Jove” in line 48 to referencing “cloysters” (l. 156) and “heav'n” (l.166)
• It appears that the writer chooses Christianity and its rewards over classicism
• Emphasizes scholarly way of life, medieval period, pastoral setting

• L'Allegro
• antithetical contrast to Il Penseroso
• evokes mirth (or carefree happiness) → uses a pastoral setting
• Plot: writer is very happy, describes countryside eloquently, but references how carefree happiness can be limited
• Imagery:
• constantly uses pastoral imagery
• describes landscape from lines 70 -76
• by depicting idyllic setting, Milton sets a very positive tone
• uses classical imagery
• “Bacchus” line 16

• Compare/Contrast Il Penseroso and L'Allegro
• Imagery:
• darkness vs light
• melancholy vs mirth
• religious vs classical/pastoral

• Lycidas
• pastoral elegy about Edward King (perhaps one of the better ones)
• transition from classical imagery to Christian imagery
• Milton writes about his despair at King's death, and then acknowledges that by turning to God, the despair will be alleviated and he can move on to better things (such as writing “better” poems)
• pastoral setting –> in line with transition. Milton uses pathetic fallacy to show his despair and then pleasant nature evoking redemption when referencing God.
• Frequent mythical imagery allows for comparisons to Milton's situation (invokes Muses)
• Milton also writes of Cambridge and his friendship with King –> uses idyllic imagery and words such as “together both” to symbolize his friendship
• Imagery of water = Baptism (Christian reference)

• On the Morning of Christ's Nativity