'On Shakespear' by John Milton
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
The Poetical Works of John Milton1630What needs my Shakespear for his honour'd Bones,
The labour of an age in piled Stones,
Or that his hallow'd reliques should be hid
Under a Star-ypointing Pyramid?
Dear son of memory, great heir of Fame,
What need'st thou such weak witnes of thy name?
Thou in our wonder and astonishment
Hast built thy self a live-long Monument.
For whilst to th'sharne of slow-endeavouring art,
Thy easie numbers flow, and that each heartHath from the Leaves of thy unvalu'd Book,
Those Delphick lines with deep impression took,
Then thou our fancy of it self bereaving,
Dost make us Marble with too much conceaving;
And so Sepulcher'd in such pomp dost lie,
That Kings for such a Tomb would wish to die.Notes: On Shakespear.Reprinted 1632 in the second folio
Shakespeare:
Title] An epitaph on the admirable dramaticke poet W.
Shakespeare
1 needs] neede
6 weak] dull
8 live-long] lasting
10 heart] part
13 it] her
Editor 1 Interpretation
On Shakespeare by John Milton: A Masterful Tribute to the Bard
As a great poet himself, John Milton had a deep admiration for the works of William Shakespeare. In his essay "On Shakespeare," Milton pays tribute to the Bard's genius, describing him as "not of an age but for all time." Through his insightful analysis of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, Milton conveys his awe and reverence for the man who had an unparalleled ability to capture the essence of human experience in his writing.
The Allure of Shakespeare's Language
Milton begins his essay by praising Shakespeare's language, which he describes as "sweet and musical, yet powerful and expressive." He notes that Shakespeare's words have a way of stirring the emotions and captivating the imagination of his readers. Milton's own words are a testament to this, as his descriptions of Shakespeare's language are both evocative and engaging.
In particular, Milton admires the way that Shakespeare's language has a way of capturing the complexities of human experience. He notes that Shakespeare was able to convey "the passions of love, of jealousy, of anger, of ambition, of pity, and of despair" in a way that was both authentic and profound. This ability to capture the full range of human emotions was truly remarkable, and it speaks to Shakespeare's deep understanding of the human soul.
The Universality of Shakespeare's Themes
In addition to his mastery of language, Milton also admires the universality of Shakespeare's themes. He notes that Shakespeare's plays and sonnets are not bound by time or place, but rather speak to the universal human experience. Milton writes, "his characters are universal; his language is universal; his sentiments are universal." This universality is what has allowed Shakespeare's works to endure through the centuries and continue to resonate with audiences today.
One of the key themes that Milton identifies in Shakespeare's work is the struggle between good and evil. This theme is present in many of Shakespeare's plays, from Macbeth to Othello to Hamlet. Milton notes that Shakespeare was able to explore this theme in a way that was both nuanced and complex, capturing the moral ambiguity that often characterizes human behavior.
In addition to the theme of good and evil, Milton also notes the importance of love in Shakespeare's work. Love is a theme that appears in many of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, and Milton admires the way that Shakespeare was able to explore the complexities of love. He notes that Shakespeare's love is not just romantic, but also encompasses the love between friends, family, and even enemies.
Shakespeare's Insight into Human Nature
At the heart of Shakespeare's work is his deep insight into human nature. Milton notes that Shakespeare was able to capture the complexities of the human experience in a way that was both profound and authentic. He writes, "Shakespeare searched the human heart as no other writer has done, and revealed its secrets to himself and to us."
One of the ways that Shakespeare was able to capture the complexities of human nature was through his characters. Milton notes that Shakespeare's characters were not simply one-dimensional stereotypes, but rather complex individuals with their own unique motivations and desires. He writes, "Shakespeare's characters are not abstractions; they are living, breathing men and women, with all their faults and virtues, their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows."
This insight into human nature is perhaps most evident in Shakespeare's tragedies, which explore the darker aspects of the human experience. Milton notes that Shakespeare's tragedies are not just tales of woe, but rather profound explorations of the human psyche. He writes, "Shakespeare shows us the terrible consequences of human folly and sin, but he also shows us the possibility of redemption and forgiveness."
The Legacy of Shakespeare's Work
As a great poet himself, Milton was acutely aware of the impact that Shakespeare's work would have on future generations of writers. In his essay, he notes that Shakespeare's legacy would endure for centuries to come, and that his influence would be felt in the work of countless other writers. Milton writes, "Shakespeare is the greatest of all poets, and his works will live as long as the English language is spoken."
Indeed, the impact of Shakespeare's work can be seen in the countless writers who have been inspired by his genius. From the Romantics to the Modernists, from T.S. Eliot to James Joyce, Shakespeare's influence can be felt in the work of writers from all eras and all parts of the world.
Conclusion: A Masterful Tribute to the Bard
In "On Shakespeare," John Milton pays tribute to the genius of William Shakespeare with eloquence and insight. Through his analysis of Shakespeare's language, themes, and insight into human nature, Milton conveys his awe and reverence for the man who had an unparalleled ability to capture the essence of human experience in his writing. Ultimately, Milton's essay is a masterful tribute to the Bard, and a testament to the enduring power of his works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry On Shakespeare: A Masterpiece by John Milton
Poetry On Shakespeare is a classic piece of literature written by John Milton, one of the greatest poets of all time. This work is a tribute to the legendary playwright William Shakespeare, who is considered the greatest writer in the English language. Milton's admiration for Shakespeare is evident in this piece, which is a beautiful and eloquent tribute to the Bard.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of Shakespeare's genius. The first part is an introduction, in which Milton sets the stage for his tribute. He describes Shakespeare as a "star of poets" and a "miracle of wit," and he praises his ability to capture the essence of human nature in his plays. Milton also acknowledges the debt that he and other poets owe to Shakespeare, saying that he "taught us how to live and how to die."
The second part of the poem is a detailed analysis of Shakespeare's works. Milton examines each of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, praising their beauty, depth, and complexity. He notes that Shakespeare's characters are not mere caricatures, but fully realized human beings with complex motivations and emotions. He also praises Shakespeare's use of language, saying that he "did not write for praise, but for eternity."
Milton's analysis of Shakespeare's works is both insightful and passionate. He clearly has a deep understanding of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, and he is able to convey his admiration for them in a way that is both eloquent and heartfelt. His analysis is also a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's works, which continue to captivate and inspire readers and audiences to this day.
The third and final part of the poem is a reflection on Shakespeare's legacy. Milton notes that Shakespeare's works have had a profound impact on English literature and culture, and he predicts that they will continue to be celebrated for centuries to come. He also acknowledges that Shakespeare's greatness is not limited to his own time, but extends to all times and places. He says that Shakespeare's works are "not of an age, but for all time."
Milton's tribute to Shakespeare is a masterpiece of poetry. His language is beautiful and evocative, and his analysis of Shakespeare's works is both insightful and passionate. He clearly has a deep admiration for Shakespeare, and he is able to convey that admiration in a way that is both eloquent and heartfelt.
One of the most striking aspects of Milton's tribute to Shakespeare is his use of language. His words are carefully chosen and beautifully crafted, and they convey a sense of reverence and awe for Shakespeare's genius. For example, when he describes Shakespeare as a "miracle of wit," he is not simply praising his intelligence or cleverness. Rather, he is acknowledging the almost supernatural quality of Shakespeare's talent, which seems to transcend ordinary human abilities.
Another notable aspect of Milton's tribute is his analysis of Shakespeare's works. He clearly has a deep understanding of Shakespeare's plays and sonnets, and he is able to convey that understanding in a way that is both insightful and passionate. For example, when he describes Shakespeare's characters as fully realized human beings, he is not simply noting their complexity. Rather, he is acknowledging the depth and richness of Shakespeare's vision of human nature.
Finally, Milton's tribute to Shakespeare is a testament to the enduring power of his works. He acknowledges that Shakespeare's greatness is not limited to his own time, but extends to all times and places. This is a powerful statement, and it speaks to the universality of Shakespeare's themes and characters. Shakespeare's works continue to resonate with readers and audiences today, and they will undoubtedly continue to do so for centuries to come.
In conclusion, Poetry On Shakespeare is a masterpiece of poetry and a beautiful tribute to one of the greatest writers of all time. Milton's language is beautiful and evocative, and his analysis of Shakespeare's works is both insightful and passionate. His tribute is a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's works, which continue to captivate and inspire readers and audiences to this day.
Editor Recommended Sites
Best Online Courses - OCW online free university & Free College Courses: The best online courses online. Free education online & Free university onlineVisual Novels: AI generated visual novels with LLMs for the text and latent generative models for the images
Nocode Services: No code and lowcode services in DFW
Cloud Training - DFW Cloud Training, Southlake / Westlake Cloud Training: Cloud training in DFW Texas from ex-Google
Flutter Guide: Learn to program in flutter to make mobile applications quickly
Recommended Similar Analysis
The Truce of the Bear by Rudyard Kipling analysisThe Oblong Box by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
A Red, Red Rose by Robert Burns analysis
Next, Please by Philip Larkin analysis
A Clock Stopped -- Not The Mantel's by Emily Dickinson analysis
What Work Is by Philip Levine analysis
Music, When Soft Voices Die by Percy Bysshe Shelley analysis
Who has seen the wind? by Christina Georgina Rossetti analysis
Beautiful Lofty Things by William Butler Yeats analysis
Mag by Carl Sandburg analysis