Discuss the chief characteristics of Milton's poetry.
John Milton is one of the greatest poets in English literature. He occupies a very high rank among English poets. Being associated with the Puritan Movement of the time, he is associated with the welfare of common men by his literary genius. Very genuinely he is regarded as second only to Shakespeare. The chief characteristics of his poems are as follows:
His Sublimity:
The most characteristic quality of his poetry is sublimity. It means three things. As a power of poetry. it transmutes an ordinary idea into something higher. As a poetical feeling. It is the emotion of awe and reverence. As an idea in a non-religious mind, it causes wonder and admiration. In his early poems, his sublimity is present in a budding state. In Paradise Lost and other later poems, it is at its highest.
Puritanical Elements -
Milton was essentially a Puritan Christian. He was also an active member of the Puritan party. His Puritanism implied the following things
( i ) The Court should be reformed by purifying it of corruption.
( ii ) The church of England should be reformed by purifying it of ceremonies, the ritual etc.
( iii ) Life of man should be pure and upright. It should also be full of love for God and noble ideas. It should be governed by the fear of God and high principles.
( iv ) England should be a republic instead of being of a monarchy and human beings should be guaranteed certain liberties and rights.
( v ) Poetry must be imbued with a moral purpose. Milton's poetry is filled with his Puritanical views. His early poem, " On the morning of Christ's Nativity " is a tribute to Lord Christ " Comus " and " Lycidas " are also filled with a moral purpose. Paradise Lost has been written to justify the ways of God to Man.
In fact, there is a blending of the Renaissance and the Reformation in his poetry.
His Grand Style-
Another great quality of his poetry is the Grand Style. By some, his style has been likened to organic music. It sweeps us along and does not allow us to pause at a line or word. " His poetic lines roll on, like waves of to sea, and carry us of the sublime."
Conclusion:
According to one critic :
" After Shakespeare, Milton is the greatest English poet;
Which means that he is the greatest English poet outside the drama ... "
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