John Milton | Lycidas | A Review
John Milton’s ‘Lycidas’-A Review
John Milton’s “Lycidas” is a pastoral elegy, written in memory of Milton’s Cambridge friend Edward King, who drowned at sea in 1637. The poem is structured in the form of a classical ode, with a complex and varied rhyme scheme that contributes to the poem’s overall musicality.
The poem begins with the speaker mourning the loss of the titular character, Lycidas, a young shepherd who has died tragically at sea. The speaker then turns to address the shepherds of the countryside and to lament the decline of the pastoral tradition. The speaker offers a vision of the natural world in which Lycidas has found a place in the celestial spheres and exhorts the shepherds to remember him and to continue to celebrate the natural world in their poetry.
One of the most striking features of “Lycidas” is its use of allusion and classical mythology. Milton draws upon a range of classical figures, from the sea god Neptune to the muses of poetry, to create a rich and allusive tapestry of meaning. The poem also contains numerous Biblical references, reflecting Milton’s deep Christian faith and his belief in the redemptive power of Christ.
Another notable aspect of “Lycidas” is its use of a wide range of poetic forms and techniques. The poem includes sections of blank verse, rhyming couplets, and intricate rhyme schemes that weave together multiple strands of meaning. The poem’s use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or phrase across line breaks, gives the poem a sense of fluidity and momentum.
Finally, it is worth noting the political subtext of “Lycidas.” Written during the tumultuous period of the English Civil War, the poem can be read as a meditation on the decline of English society and the need for renewal and rebirth. The poem’s allusions to the pastoral tradition can be read as a critique of the corruption and decay of the English court and aristocracy, and a call for a return to simpler, more honest ways of life.
In conclusion, “Lycidas” is a rich and complex poem that rewards close reading and analysis. Its intricate use of poetic forms and allusive language creates a multilayered meditation on mortality, nature, and the role of poetry in shaping and reflecting society. 0 0 0.
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Reviews of John Milton’s Literary Works‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
- World Short Story Criticism
- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works
- Reviews of John Milton’s Literary Works
- Reviews of Some Iconic Travelogues …
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