Notes on John Milton's Poetry

Overview of John Milton

• Birth and Death: 1608-1674
• Early Writing: Began writing poetry at the age of ten.
• Education: Completed formal education at Cambridge; read extensively in Latin, Greek, Italian, and English.
• Career: Appointed Latin Secretary; became totally blind at age 45 due to eyestrain from late-night reading.
• Notable Works: Wrote Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained through dictation in his final years.

Understanding the Poem "On Shakespear"

1. Monument for Shakespeare: Milton questions the necessity of a physical monument for Shakespeare, suggesting his legacy is already monumental through his work.
2. Weak Witness of Thy Name: Refers to the inadequacy of physical tributes compared to Shakespeare's literary contributions.
3. Source of Inspiration: Milton describes Shakespeare as a source of inspiration for future poets, emphasizing his lasting impact on literature.
4. Tribute from Posterity: The best tribute is the enduring influence of Shakespeare's works on readers and writers alike.

Language Study

• Etymology: The study of the history of linguistic change, focusing on the history and derivation of words.
• Example - 'entomb'd':
  • Found in late Middle English.
  • Of French origin, in use since 1578.
  • Approximately 30% of English words are of French origin, with significant borrowing after the Norman Conquest (1066).

Notes on Themes and Imagery

• Envious Time: References to Cronos from mythology, who devoured his children, symbolizing the relentless passage of time.
• Plummets: A lead weight that symbolizes the slow, inevitable passage of time.

Questions for Further Reflection

1. Why does Milton compare the flight of Time to 'lazy leaden-stepping hours'?
2. What contrasts are drawn between the temporal and the eternal in the poem?
3. What guides human souls towards divinity, and who ultimately prevails in the struggle against Time?