'On The University Carrier Who Sickn'd In The Time Of His Vacancy, Being Forbid To Go To London, By Reason Of The Plague' by John Milton


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Here lies old Hobson, Death hath broke his girt,
And here alas, hath laid him in the dirt,
Or els the ways being foul, twenty to one,
He's here stuck in a slough, and overthrown.
'Twas such a shifter, that if truth were known,
Death was half glad when he had got him down;
For he had any time this ten yeers full,
Dodg'd with him, betwixt Cambridge and the Bull.
And surely, Death could never have prevail'd,
Had not his weekly cours of carriage fail'd;
But lately finding him so long at home,
And thinking now his journeys end was come,
And that he had tane up his latest Inne,
In the kind office of a Chamberlin
Shew'd him his room where he must lodge that night,
Pull'd off his Boots, and took away the light:
If any ask for him, it shall be sed,
Hobson has supt, and 's newly gon to bed.

Editor 1 Interpretation

On The University Carrier Who Sickn'd In The Time Of His Vacancy, Being Forbid To Go To London, By Reason Of The Plague: A Critical Interpretation

John Milton's "On The University Carrier Who Sickn'd In The Time Of His Vacancy, Being Forbid To Go To London, By Reason Of The Plague" is a beautiful elegy that mourns the loss of a carrier who is unable to travel due to the plague outbreak. The poem is composed of twenty-four lines and is written in a peculiar style that reflects Milton's mastery of language and poetic form.

Structure and Form

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains eight lines. The first two stanzas are written in rhymed couplets, while the last stanza is written in rhymed triplets. The rhyme scheme is consistent throughout the poem and follows the pattern AABBCCDD/EE. The use of rhymed couplets and triplets gives the poem a musical quality and makes it pleasant to read.

The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, which means that each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, consisting of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one. This adds to the musicality of the poem and makes it flow smoothly. The use of iambic tetrameter is a common feature of Milton's poetry and is evident in many of his works, including Paradise Lost.

Theme and Meaning

The main theme of the poem is the loss of human life due to the plague outbreak. The carrier is unable to travel to London because of the disease, and his absence is felt by those who rely on him for their livelihood. The poem mourns the loss of the carrier and the impact that his illness has on those around him.

The poem also reflects on the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death. The carrier is a symbol of the fleeting nature of life and the fact that we are all vulnerable to illness and disease. The poem reminds us that death is a part of life and that we should cherish the time we have with those we love.

Another important theme of the poem is the power of language and the role of the poet. The poem is a testament to the power of language to express deep emotions and to capture the essence of the human experience. The poet is able to convey the sadness and loss felt by those affected by the plague outbreak, and his words serve as a tribute to the carrier and to all those who have lost their lives to the disease.

Imagery and Symbolism

The poem makes use of a variety of vivid and powerful images to convey its message. The carrier is described as a "stout carrier" who is "sick" and unable to travel. This image of a strong and capable person struck down by illness is a powerful symbol of the vulnerability of human life.

The plague itself is described as a "loathsome siege" that has "seized" the city. This image of a siege implies that the city is under attack and that the plague is an enemy that must be defeated. The use of military imagery serves to heighten the sense of urgency and danger surrounding the outbreak.

The final stanza of the poem contains a powerful image of the carrier as a "flower, which once has blown for ever dies." This metaphor compares the carrier to a flower that blooms briefly before withering and dying. This image reinforces the poem's theme of the fragility of human life and serves as a poignant reminder of the brevity of our time on earth.

Language and Style

The language and style of the poem are both characteristic of Milton's poetic voice. The poem is filled with rich and evocative language, and Milton makes use of a wide range of literary devices to convey his message.

One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of repetition. The words "carrier" and "London" are repeated several times throughout the poem, serving to emphasize the importance of these elements to the narrative. The repetition also serves to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, making the poem pleasing to the ear.

Milton also makes use of alliteration and assonance to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem. The repetition of sounds such as "s" and "l" creates a sense of harmony and balance, reinforcing the poem's message of the interconnectedness of all things.

Conclusion

In "On The University Carrier Who Sickn'd In The Time Of His Vacancy, Being Forbid To Go To London, By Reason Of The Plague," John Milton has created a powerful elegy that mourns the loss of human life and reflects on the fragility of existence. The poem is filled with vivid imagery, rich language, and a powerful message about the interconnectedness of all things.

Milton's use of poetic form, repetition, and literary devices serves to create a sense of harmony and balance in the poem, reinforcing its themes and making it a pleasure to read. Overall, "On The University Carrier Who Sickn'd In The Time Of His Vacancy, Being Forbid To Go To London, By Reason Of The Plague" is a masterful work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

On The University Carrier Who Sickn'd In The Time Of His Vacancy, Being Forbid To Go To London, By Reason Of The Plague is a classic poem written by John Milton. This poem is a beautiful and touching tribute to a carrier who fell sick during the time of the plague and was unable to go to London. Milton's poem is a perfect example of how a poet can use language to convey deep emotions and create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.

The poem is written in the form of a pastoral elegy, which is a type of poem that is often used to mourn the death of a loved one. In this case, the poem is mourning the illness of the carrier, who is unable to travel to London due to the plague. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains six lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABABCC, which gives it a musical quality.

The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces the carrier. The carrier is described as a "jolly" man who is loved by all. He is a familiar figure in the town, and everyone knows him. The stanza also mentions the plague, which is the reason why the carrier is unable to travel to London. The stanza ends with the carrier falling sick, which is a turning point in the poem.

The second stanza of the poem is the most emotional and powerful. It describes the carrier's illness in vivid detail. The stanza begins with the carrier lying in bed, unable to move. He is described as being "sick to death" and "pale as lead." The stanza then goes on to describe the carrier's thoughts and feelings. He is filled with regret that he cannot go to London, and he is afraid that he will die without ever seeing the city. The stanza ends with the carrier's friends and family gathering around him, trying to comfort him in his time of need.

The third and final stanza of the poem is a tribute to the carrier. It describes his life and his legacy. The stanza begins with the carrier's death, which is described as a "tragic end." However, the stanza quickly moves on to celebrate the carrier's life. He is described as a man who was loved by all and who brought joy to everyone he met. The stanza ends with a beautiful image of the carrier's spirit soaring up to heaven, where he will be reunited with his loved ones.

One of the most striking things about this poem is the way that Milton uses language to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The poem is full of rich and evocative imagery, which helps to bring the story to life. For example, in the second stanza, Milton describes the carrier as being "pale as lead." This image is so powerful that it immediately conjures up a mental picture of the sickly carrier lying in bed. Similarly, in the third stanza, Milton describes the carrier's spirit as "soaring up to heaven." This image is so beautiful and uplifting that it leaves the reader with a sense of hope and optimism.

Another interesting aspect of this poem is the way that it uses the form of the pastoral elegy to convey its message. The pastoral elegy is a type of poem that is often used to mourn the death of a loved one. However, in this case, the poem is mourning the illness of the carrier, rather than his death. This is an interesting twist on the traditional form of the pastoral elegy, and it shows how Milton was able to use the form to suit his own purposes.

Overall, On The University Carrier Who Sickn'd In The Time Of His Vacancy, Being Forbid To Go To London, By Reason Of The Plague is a beautiful and touching poem that is full of rich and evocative imagery. It is a perfect example of how a poet can use language to convey deep emotions and create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. Milton's poem is a testament to the power of poetry, and it is a reminder of the importance of art in our lives.

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