Characteristics of Milton’s Poetry
Channel: Gnaneswara T N
Date: 2021-06-15

Gulbarga University
BA II Sem 
Optional English 
Session 4 
Characteristics of Milton’s Poetry

Introduction

Milton was one of the greatest poets of England and can be placed next to Shakespeare. He was a great classicist and humanist. There was a blend of creative and intellectual power in him. Though he was an ardent Puritan, he was a passionate lover of art, beauty and poetry. He did not share the Puritan hatred for drama and stage.
He was a disciplined and dedicated student. His student life was marked by hard work and zeal for learning. He was a man of great creative talent and undertook the task of composition of poems with enthusiasm at the young age. He intended to join church as a clergyman. But withdrew as he found the church indulged in corrupt practices. He was caught in the political controversies of the time and suffered a lot.
His personal life was rocked by many untoward incidents. His married life was unhappy one. He became completely blind at the age of 45. The great epic Paradise lost was composed at this distressing point of time. He dictated the epic to his daughter who prepared the manuscript.

Characteristics of Milton’s Poetry

1. The noble conception
Milton had dedicated his life for the cause of poetic creation. According to him, poetic creation is the product of the inspiration of the divine. He believed that a poet’s life should be a true poem. He led an ideal life which is reflected in his poetry.
2. Sublimity
Milton had the holy mission to achieve the sublime. His poetry is known for loftiness and majesty.
3. Sense of beauty
Milton loved beauty in all its manifestations. His poems bring out his deep sense of beauty.
4. Puritanism
Milton was a stern Puritan which instilled a spiritual discipline, moral earnestness and religious zeal in him. He was very much influenced by Christian Theology and the Bible. He has taken themes from them to write his poems.
5. Classicism
Milton was a keen student of ancient classics. They shaped his creative zeal. His poetic style and diction were very much influenced by classical learning. He wrote in classical forms – the epic, the Greek tragedy and the ode.
6. Milton’s poetic art
Milton was a master artist. He produced masterpieces. His works are known for wonderful craftsmanship. His epics are the glory and triumph of the poetic tradition of English.
7. Poetic style
Milton’s poetic style is the most distinguished feature of English poetry. His style reflects his sublime personality and character. Compactness, force and unity of emotional impression is the hallmark of his style.
8. Versification
Milton mended the loose dramatic blank verse of Elizabethan dramatists and made it worthy of epic metre. His poetry is marked by unique musical quality.
9. Milton’s influence
Milton was the celebrated poet of the seventeenth century. His fame reached greater heights during the eighteenth century, as the classical tradition was revived by neo-classical poets like Dryden, Pope, Johnson, etc. The Romantic poets of the nineteenth century also came under the spell of Milton.
10. High seriousness
High seriousness marks both Milton’s character and poetry. His works lack humour. He never bothered to please his readers through humorous incidents.
11. Power of imagination
Milton had superb imagination which is manifested in Paradise Lost. It is the fertile imagination of the poet which creates a world of Heaven and Hell in his epics.
12. Suggestive power
The effect of his poetry is produced not by what it expresses but what it suggests. The wonderful imagination of the poet creates suggestive pictures which leave behind a lasting impression in the mind of readers.
13. Autobiographical element
Milton’s poetry is the mirror of his personal life. His epics reflect his character, personality and beliefs. He can be seen in his characters (Patil).

Works Cited
Patil, Dr. N.S. A History of English Literature. 2nd. Kalaburagi: Sri Siddalingeshwara Prakashana, 2016.

Gnaneswara T N, Assistant Professor, GFGC, Jalahalli, Raichur Dist.