Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I. Research
1. What is the “Puritan Age,” give some significant events during this era (especially about
literature).
Puritan Poetry
Poets of the Puritan Age used sonnets especially the likes of Anne Bradstreet (considered to be
the first American poet) etc. This was a continuation of the sonnet writing in the Elizabethan age
and the works of Shakespeare etc.
“The Author to Her Book” by Anne Bradstreet is an excellent example of such sonnets.
Bradstreet used a very European poetic style and avoided getting into squabbles with the
criticism of the clergy at the time.
With the beginning of the Restoration period (after the monarchy was re-established in 1660),
poets like John Dryden, etc brought some creativity back to Puritan poetry.
John Milton, (born December 9, 1608, in London, England, died on November 8, 1674, in
Chalfont St. Giles, London, He is an English poet, pamphleteer, and historian, is considered the
most significant English author after William Shakespeare. Milton is best known for Paradise
Lost, widely regarded as the greatest epic poem in English. Together with Paradise Regained and
Samson Agonistes, it confirms Milton’s reputation as one of the greatest English poets. His
influence extended not only through the civil wars and interregnum but also to the American and
French revolutions. In his works on theology, he valued liberty of conscience, the paramount
importance of Scripture as a guide in matters of faith, and religious toleration toward dissidents.
Paradise Lost, an epic poem in blank verse, one of the late works by John Milton, was originally
issued in 10 books in 1667 and, with Books 7 and 10 each split into two parts, published in 12
books in the second edition of 1674.
Many scholars consider Paradise Lost to be one of the greatest poems in the English language. It
tells the biblical story of the fall from grace of Adam and Eve (and, by extension, all humanity)
in language that is a supreme achievement of rhythm and sound. The 12-book structure, the
technique of beginning in media res (in the middle of the story), the invocation of the muse, and
the use of the epic question are all classically inspired. The subject matter, however, is distinctly
Christian. The main characters in the poem are God, Lucifer (Satan), Adam, and Eve. Much has
been written about Milton’s powerful and sympathetic characterization of Satan. The Romantic
poets William Blake and Percy Bysshe Shelley saw Satan as the real hero of the poem and
applauded his rebellion against the tyranny of Heaven.
Many other works of art have been inspired by Paradise Lost, notably Joseph Haydn’s oratorio
The Creation (1798) and John Keats’s long poem Endymion. Milton wrote a companion piece,
Paradise Regained, in 1671, which dramatizes the temptation of Christ.
4. Research and reflect on the meaning of the poem “On His Blindness” by J.
Milton.
On His Blindness is a poem in which Milton reflects on his faith as he is turning blind. "On His
Blindness" centers on Milton's faith in God as he is losing his sight.
In “On His Blindness,” Milton expresses the worry that his loss of sight means that he will no
longer be able to serve God. Milton was a deeply devout Christian, so this was a very important
concern for him. The poet loses his sight at an early and productive age, so he feels vulnerable to
accomplish the mission of his life. He meditates that his god-gifted talent that is poetic talent will
remain useless and if it remains useless, God shall be angry at him. He compares his inability to
use his talent to physical, mental, and spiritual death. He raises the question of the God still
expects some work from him after seizing his eyesight. The poet suspects his capability that if
God is still expecting some service from him, can he be able to accomplish it. Suddenly he
realizes his foolishness to suspect God. God does not require the service of man nor does He take
back the gift, one bestowed by Him on man. He is almighty and supreme. It is therefore a folly
on his part to think that God requires his services.
They serve him the most who patiently and without a grumble surrender themselves to His will
and endure all spiritual, mental, and physical sufferings which God may inflict on them. A little
calm and careful thinking leads the poet to believe that the question of disservice to God does not
arise at all. Of course, he is Omnipotent, all-powerful, and Lord of lords and King of kings. He
has countless divine servants, angels, etc., to carry out His commands on land, water, and air in
the twinkling of an eye. Finally, the poet concludes that even if he is blind and unable to do any
service to Him, he should only remain loyal to Him. It must be remembered that even silent
attendance is also a kind of service to Him.
Well Done!