SUGGESTIVENESS

In Milton's style we have the compactness, force and reserve and the unity of emotional
impression, which are the distinctive characteristics of the true classical style. In the words of
Wlter Raleigh , "He taxes every line to its fullest capacity, and wring the last drop of
value from each word. " Milton is often not satisfied with one meaning from a word, but will
make it do double duty. Words derived from Latin served this double purpose. To the ordinary
reader they convey one meaning and to the scholar they suggest another. This gives a suggestive
power to Milton's language . thus ,there are many meanings to what Milton tells us of Heaven ,
or Earth or Hell , but what we are told is told in unmistakable wealth and detail.

CONCLUSION

"The name of Milton", says Raleigh, "is become the mark, not of a biography nor of a theme, but
of a style - the most distinguished in our poetry." In all that he has written he has impressed his
indomitable personality and irrepressible originality. Tennyson described Milton as ‘God gifted
organ voice of England.’ Wordsworth took inspiration from the matter and manner of Milton.
Critics like Hazlitt admired the musical quality of Milton’s blank verse. It is true that sound and
sense are inseparable in Milton’s poetry.

BLANK VERSE

Milton’s mastery of blank verse is another important feature of his poetic style in Paradise Lost. The use of
blank verse too has its share in creating the sublime effect in this epic poem. Milton’s blank verse is not
only the most sublime but also the most musical in English language.