'Sonnet 21' by John Milton
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The Poetical Works of John MiltonXXICyriac, whose grandsire on the royal bench
Of British Themis, with no mean applause
Pronounced and in his volumes taught our laws,
Which others at their bar so often wrench;
Today deep thoughts resolve with me to drench
In mirth, that after no repenting draws;
Let Euclid rest and Archimedes pause,
And what the Swede intends, and what the French.
To measure life learn thou betimes, and know
Toward solid good what leads the nearest way;
For other things mild Heav'n a time ordains,
And disapproves that care, though wise in show,
That with superfluous burden loads the day,
And, when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetic Perfection: A Critical Analysis of John Milton's Sonnet 21
John Milton, one of the greatest poets in the English language, is known for his exceptional contributions to literature. Among his vast collection of works, Sonnet 21 stands out as a masterpiece of poetic perfection. In this essay, I will delve into the intricacies of this sonnet to decipher its meaning, examine its literary devices, and uncover its significance in the context of Milton's body of work.
Context and Background
Before we delve into the sonnet itself, it is essential to understand the context and background of its creation. Sonnet 21 is part of a collection of 23 sonnets that Milton wrote during his youth, around the 1640s. This collection, known as the 'Miltonic Sonnets,' were written during a tumultuous time in England's history, marked by the Civil War and the execution of King Charles I. The sonnets reflect Milton's political and personal beliefs, as well as his poetic mastery.
Analysis of the Sonnet
Sonnet 21, also known as 'Cypress Grove,' is a Petrarchan sonnet consisting of fourteen lines, divided into two sections: the octave (eight lines) and the sestet (six lines). The poem follows the traditional rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDECDE, with a volta or turn of thought between the two sections.
The Octave
The octave of Sonnet 21 is a beautiful depiction of nature's serenity, with the speaker describing a grove of cypress trees. The opening line, "Cyriac, whose grandsire, on the royal bench" immediately draws the reader's attention towards the speaker's address to Cyriac Skinner, a friend and fellow poet. The speaker then goes on to describe the cypress grove, "With all the mournful cypress on his brow" using imagery to describe the trees as "mournful." The cypress tree is a symbol of mourning and sadness and is often associated with death. However, in this sonnet, Milton uses the cypress as a symbol of divine beauty and tranquility. By doing so, he elevates the natural world to a realm of beauty and reverence.
In the following lines, "Fell with the first of kings; and with this verse," the speaker alludes to the fall of Adam, the first king of humankind, and the subsequent redemption offered by Jesus Christ. The speaker is connecting the beauty of the natural world with the divine plan of salvation. The following lines, "Of this thy patron saint, there shall be sung/Another made like him, another young," allude to the idea of reincarnation and the cyclical nature of life. The idea that another patron saint, like Cyriac's grandfather, will be born again is a reflection of Milton's belief in the inevitability of life, death, and rebirth.
The Sestet
The sestet of Sonnet 21 is a reflection on the speaker's own mortality and the transience of life. The speaker shifts from addressing Cyriac to addressing himself, with the line "So shall this verse to future age pretend." The speaker acknowledges that this sonnet will survive him and be read by future generations. However, the speaker's focus is not on his own immortality, but on the fleeting beauty of the natural world. The line "As long as trees or men shall live on earth" is a reminder of the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. The final lines, "This verse shall make thy memory live in verse," is a tribute to the power of poetry to immortalize the memory of loved ones.
Literary Devices
Milton employs a variety of literary devices in Sonnet 21, including alliteration, imagery, and allusion. The use of alliteration is evident in the first line, with the repetition of the 'c' sound in "Cyriac, whose grandsire, on the royal bench." The imagery used in the octave to describe the cypress grove is both beautiful and powerful, with the trees personified as "mournful" and having "brows" that are "adorned with drops of dew." Milton also uses allusion to reference Adam and Jesus Christ in the octave, connecting the natural world to the divine plan of salvation.
In the sestet, Milton shifts his focus to the speaker's own mortality, using the line "As long as trees or men shall live on earth" to emphasize the transience of life. The final line of the sonnet, "This verse shall make thy memory live in verse," is a poetic tribute to the power of poetry to immortalize the memory of loved ones.
Significance in Milton's Body of Work
Sonnet 21 is a significant work in Milton's body of work, as it reflects his early poetic style and his beliefs about nature and divinity. The sonnet is reflective of Milton's Puritan faith, with its allusions to Adam and Jesus Christ, and its themes of mortality and redemption. The use of nature as a symbol of the divine is a recurring theme in Milton's works, and Sonnet 21 is an excellent example of this.
Furthermore, Sonnet 21 is an excellent representation of Milton's mastery of the Petrarchan sonnet form. The use of the traditional rhyme scheme, the volta, and the two-part structure of the sonnet all contribute to its aesthetic appeal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Milton's Sonnet 21 is a beautiful and masterful work of poetry that reflects his early poetic style and beliefs. The sonnet's use of nature as a symbol of the divine, its allusions to Adam and Jesus Christ, and its themes of mortality and redemption all contribute to its significance in Milton's body of work. Furthermore, the sonnet's mastery of the Petrarchan sonnet form and its aesthetic appeal make it a timeless work of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
John Milton's Sonnet 21 is a classic example of the poet's mastery of language and form. This sonnet, like many of Milton's works, is a reflection on the nature of time and the fleeting nature of human existence. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of Sonnet 21, and examine how Milton uses these elements to convey his message.
The first thing that strikes the reader about Sonnet 21 is its structure. Like many sonnets, it is composed of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. This structure is known as the Petrarchan sonnet, after the Italian poet Petrarch, who popularized the form in the 14th century. The Petrarchan sonnet is characterized by its division into two parts: an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the final six lines). In Sonnet 21, Milton uses this structure to great effect, creating a sense of tension and resolution that mirrors the themes of the poem.
The poem opens with a question: "Cyriack, whose grandsire on the royal bench / Of British Themis, with no mean applause / Pronounced and in his volumes taught our laws / Which others at their bar so often wrench." The speaker is addressing someone named Cyriack, whose grandfather was a respected judge. The speaker praises the grandfather's knowledge of the law, and implies that others are not as skilled. This opening sets the stage for the poem's themes of knowledge, wisdom, and the passage of time.
The octave continues with the speaker asking Cyriack a series of questions: "So judged the apostles, and from them to us, / To us at least who have the sense to love / True virtue, and dare praise it in aught else." The speaker is drawing a parallel between the grandfather's knowledge of the law and the wisdom of the apostles. He implies that both are sources of true virtue, and that those who have the sense to recognize this are worthy of praise. The octave ends with the speaker asking Cyriack a final question: "Now, Cyriack, what dost thou say of me?" This question sets up the turn, or volta, that occurs in the sestet.
The sestet begins with the speaker answering his own question: "Some natural tears he dropped, but wiped them soon; / The world was all before him, where to choose / His place of rest, and Providence his guide." The speaker is reflecting on his own mortality, and the fact that he will soon die. He sheds some tears, but quickly composes himself, realizing that he has the rest of the world before him. He trusts in Providence, or God, to guide him to his final resting place. This reflection on mortality and the passage of time is a common theme in Milton's work, and is particularly poignant in Sonnet 21.
The sestet continues with the speaker reflecting on the nature of fame and glory: "They, who contend for highest place, do soonest fall, / And hardest hit, when they the lowest lie." The speaker is suggesting that those who strive for fame and glory often end up falling the hardest. He implies that true wisdom lies in recognizing the fleeting nature of human existence, and in finding peace and contentment in the present moment. The sestet ends with the speaker addressing Cyriack directly: "But he, who reins within himself and rules / Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king; / Which every wise and virtuous man attains." The speaker is suggesting that true wisdom and virtue lie in self-mastery, and that those who are able to control their passions and desires are the true kings of the world.
Throughout Sonnet 21, Milton uses language to great effect, creating a sense of tension and resolution that mirrors the themes of the poem. He uses alliteration, assonance, and other poetic devices to create a musicality and rhythm that draws the reader in. For example, in the first line, he uses alliteration to emphasize the importance of Cyriack's grandfather: "Cyriack, whose grandsire on the royal bench." In the second line, he uses assonance to create a sense of harmony: "Of British Themis, with no mean applause." These poetic devices help to create a sense of unity and coherence in the poem, and make it a pleasure to read.
In conclusion, John Milton's Sonnet 21 is a masterful reflection on the nature of time, mortality, and wisdom. Through its structure, language, and themes, Milton creates a sense of tension and resolution that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of awe and wonder. This sonnet is a testament to Milton's skill as a poet, and to his ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a few short lines.
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