'The Passion' by John Milton


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I

Ere-while of Musick, and Ethereal mirth,
Wherwith the stage of Ayr and Earth did ring,
And joyous news of heav'nly Infants birth,
My muse with Angels did divide to sing;
But headlong joy is ever on the wing,
In Wintry solstice like the shortn'd light
Soon swallow'd up in dark and long out-living night.

II

For now to sorrow must I tune my song,
And set my Harpe to notes of saddest wo,
Which on our dearest Lord did sease er'e long,
Dangers, and snares, and wrongs, and worse then so,
Which he for us did freely undergo.
Most perfect Heroe, try'd in heaviest plight
Of labours huge and hard, too hard for human wight.

III

He sov'ran Priest stooping his regall head
That dropt with odorous oil down his fair eyes,
Poor fleshly Tabernacle entered,
His starry front low-rooft beneath the skies;
O what a Mask was there, what a disguise!
Yet more; the stroke of death he must abide,
Then lies him meekly down fast by his Brethrens side.

IV

These latter scenes confine my roving vers,
To this Horizon is my Phoebus bound,
His Godlike acts, and his temptations fierce,
And former sufferings other where are found;
Loud o're the rest Cremona's Trump doth sound;
Me softer airs befit, and softer strings
Of Lute, or Viol still, more apt for mournful things.

Note: 22 latter] latest 1673.

V

Befriend me night best Patroness of grief,
Over the Pole thy thickest mantle throw,
And work my flatterd fancy to belief,
That Heav'n and Earth are colour'd with my wo;
My sorrows are too dark for day to know:
The leaves should all be black wheron I write,
And letters where my tears have washt a wannish white.

VI

See see the Chariot, and those rushing wheels,
That whirl'd the Prophet up at Chebar flood,
My spirit som transporting Cherub feels,
To bear me where the Towers of Salem stood,
Once glorious Towers, now sunk in guiltles blood;
There doth my soul in holy vision sit
In pensive trance, and anguish, and ecstatick fit.

VII

Mine eye hath found that sad Sepulchral rock
That was the Casket of Heav'ns richest store,
And here though grief my feeble hands up-lock,
Yet on the softned Quarry would I score
My plaining vers as lively as before;
For sure so well instructed are my tears,
They would fitly fall in order'd Characters.

VIII

I thence hurried on viewles wing,
Take up a weeping on the Mountains wilde,
The gentle neighbourhood of grove and spring
Would soon unboosom all their Echoes milde,
And I (for grief is easily beguild)
Might think th'infection of my sorrows bound,
Had got a race of mourners on som pregnant cloud.

Note: This subject the Author finding to be above the yeers he had,
when he wrote it, and nothing satisfi'd with what was begun,
left it unfinish'd.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Passion: A Literary Masterpiece by John Milton

The Passion is a classic poem written by John Milton in the 17th century. This timeless work of art is a must-read for all those who appreciate literature and the beauty of language. In this writing, I will provide a thorough analysis and interpretation of The Passion, exploring its themes, symbols, and literary devices.

Background

John Milton was one of the most significant poets and writers of the seventeenth century. He is best known for his epic poem, Paradise Lost, which is considered one of the greatest works of English literature. The Passion, on the other hand, is a lesser-known work of Milton, written during his early period when he was still exploring his poetic style.

The Passion is a short poem consisting of only 146 lines, divided into six stanzas of varying lengths. It is structured in rhyming couplets, with each couplet consisting of ten syllables. The poem is a meditation on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and Milton uses vivid imagery and language to paint a picture of the suffering and sacrifice of the Son of God.

Themes

The Passion explores several themes, including sacrifice, redemption, and the power of love. One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of sacrifice. Milton portrays Jesus' crucifixion as the ultimate act of sacrifice, where Jesus willingly gives up his life to save humanity from sin. The poem highlights the pain and suffering of the crucifixion, emphasizing the brutality of the act and the significance of Jesus' sacrifice.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is redemption. Milton portrays Jesus' death as a redemptive act that offers salvation to all who believe. He emphasizes the power of Jesus' sacrifice to wash away the sins of humanity, and the poem speaks of the hope and joy that come with the knowledge of this redemption.

Finally, the poem explores the power of love. Milton portrays Jesus' crucifixion as the ultimate act of love, where he gives his life for the sake of others. The poem speaks of the love that Jesus had for humanity, and how this love motivated him to go through the pain and suffering of the crucifixion.

Symbols

Milton uses several symbols in The Passion to convey its themes and ideas. One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the cross itself. The cross represents the sacrifice of Jesus and the hope of redemption that comes through his death. The poem describes the cross as a symbol of shame and suffering, but also as a symbol of hope and salvation.

Another symbol that Milton uses is the crown of thorns. The crown of thorns represents the pain and suffering that Jesus endured during his crucifixion. It also symbolizes the mockery and humiliation that Jesus faced at the hands of his tormentors.

Finally, Milton uses the image of blood as a symbol of sacrifice and redemption. The poem speaks of the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross, and how this blood has the power to wash away the sins of humanity. The blood of Jesus also symbolizes the pain and suffering that he endured for the sake of others.

Literary Devices

Milton employs several literary devices in The Passion to create a vivid and powerful poem. One of the most significant literary devices that he uses is imagery. The poem is full of vivid images that paint a picture of the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. For example, Milton writes, "From his side two rivers flowed, / Mercy and wrath, and both at once bestowed." This image of two rivers flowing from Jesus' side is a powerful and memorable image that captures the themes of sacrifice and redemption that run throughout the poem.

Another literary device that Milton uses is repetition. He repeats phrases and words throughout the poem to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, he repeats the phrase "O love" several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the power of Jesus' love for humanity.

Finally, Milton uses allusions to biblical stories and characters to enrich the poem's meaning. For example, he refers to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his arrest, and the characters of Pilate and Judas, who played significant roles in Jesus' crucifixion. These allusions deepen the poem's meaning and connect it to the larger biblical narrative.

Interpretation

The Passion is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the deepest themes of human existence. Through vivid imagery, powerful symbols, and masterful use of language, Milton captures the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and love that lie at the heart of the Christian faith.

The poem portrays Jesus' crucifixion as the ultimate act of sacrifice, where he willingly gave up his life to save humanity from sin. It emphasizes the pain and suffering that Jesus endured on the cross and the significance of his sacrifice for all humanity.

The Passion speaks of the hope and joy that come with the knowledge of Jesus' redemptive sacrifice. It emphasizes the power of Jesus' blood to wash away the sins of humanity and the love that Jesus had for humanity, which motivated him to go through the pain and suffering of the crucifixion.

The Passion is a masterpiece of English literature, and its message of sacrifice, redemption, and love continues to resonate with readers today. It is a powerful reminder of the enduring significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the hope and joy that come with the knowledge of his redemption.

In conclusion, The Passion is a must-read for all those who appreciate literature, poetry, and the beauty of language. Its themes, symbols, and literary devices make it a work of art that continues to speak to the deepest themes of human existence.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Passion: A Masterpiece of John Milton

John Milton, one of the greatest poets of the English language, is known for his epic works such as Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. However, his lesser-known poem, The Passion, is a masterpiece in its own right. The Passion is a poem that explores the emotions and thoughts of Jesus Christ during his crucifixion. It is a powerful and moving work that captures the essence of the Christian faith.

The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Christ's passion. The first part focuses on the physical pain that Christ endured during his crucifixion. Milton describes in vivid detail the agony that Christ experienced as he was nailed to the cross. He writes, "The nails and spear, and the cruel smart, / The thorns and the nails, and the piercing dart." These lines convey the brutality of the crucifixion and the immense suffering that Christ endured.

The second part of the poem explores the emotional pain that Christ experienced during his crucifixion. Milton describes the feelings of abandonment that Christ experienced as he cried out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" These words are taken directly from the Bible and are a powerful expression of Christ's sense of isolation and despair. Milton also explores the sense of betrayal that Christ felt as he was betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter.

The third and final part of the poem focuses on the spiritual significance of Christ's passion. Milton explores the idea that Christ's sacrifice was necessary for the salvation of humanity. He writes, "He bore on the cross the sins of the world, / That all might be saved who believe in his word." This idea is central to the Christian faith and is a powerful reminder of the importance of Christ's sacrifice.

One of the most striking aspects of The Passion is the way in which Milton uses language to convey the emotions and thoughts of Christ. His use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy that draws the reader into the poem. For example, when describing Christ's physical pain, Milton writes, "The thorns and the nails, and the piercing dart, / The scourge and the cross, and the cruel smart." These words create a sense of physicality that makes the reader feel as though they are experiencing the pain alongside Christ.

Milton's use of language is also evident in his exploration of Christ's emotional pain. His description of Christ's sense of abandonment is particularly powerful. He writes, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? / Why hast thou left me in this agony?" These words convey a sense of desperation and despair that is palpable.

The spiritual significance of Christ's passion is also explored in depth in The Passion. Milton's use of language in this section is particularly powerful. He writes, "He bore on the cross the sins of the world, / That all might be saved who believe in his word." These words convey the idea that Christ's sacrifice was necessary for the salvation of humanity and that belief in his word is the key to salvation.

In addition to its powerful language, The Passion is also notable for its structure. The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Christ's passion. This structure creates a sense of progression and development that is both powerful and effective. The first part focuses on the physical pain that Christ endured, the second part explores his emotional pain, and the third part explores the spiritual significance of his sacrifice. This structure creates a sense of unity and coherence that makes the poem feel like a complete and unified work.

In conclusion, The Passion is a masterpiece of English poetry. It explores the emotions and thoughts of Christ during his crucifixion in a way that is both powerful and moving. Milton's use of language is particularly notable, as he creates a sense of immediacy and intimacy that draws the reader into the poem. The structure of the poem is also effective, creating a sense of progression and development that makes the poem feel like a complete and unified work. Overall, The Passion is a work of great beauty and power that deserves to be more widely read and appreciated.

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