'On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament' by John Milton
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Because you have thrown of your Prelate Lord,
And with stiff Vowes renounc'd his Liturgie
To seise the widdow'd whore Pluralitie
From them whose sin ye envi'd, not abhor'd,
Dare ye for this adjure the Civill Sword
To force our Consciences that Christ set free,
And ride us with a classic Hierarchy
Taught ye by meer A. S. and Rotherford?
Men whose Life, Learning, Faith and pure intent
Would have been held in high esteem with Paul
Must now he nam'd and printed Hereticks
By shallow Edwards and Scotch what d'ye call:
But we do hope to find out all your tricks,
Your plots and packing wors then those of Trent,
That so the Parliament
May with their wholsom and preventive Shears
Clip your Phylacteries, though bauk your Ears,
And succour our just Fears
When they shall read this clearly in your charge
New Presbyter is but Old Priest Writ Large.
Editor 1 Interpretation
On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament: A Critical Analysis
John Milton's On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament is a poem that speaks to the struggles of personal liberty and religious expression during the English Civil War. Milton, a Puritan himself, wrote this poem to express his disgust with the religious persecution that was taking place under the Long Parliament. In this essay, I will analyze the literary elements used in the poem, the themes explored by Milton, and the historical context in which the poem was written.
Literary Elements
Milton employs a number of literary devices in this poem, including personification, allusion, and metaphor. Personification is used when Milton refers to the "new forcers of conscience" as "roaring lions" and "ravenous wolves." This personification emphasizes the violent and oppressive nature of those who sought to enforce their religious beliefs on others.
Milton also uses allusion to biblical stories in order to make a point about the hypocrisy of those who seek to impose their own beliefs on others. For example, he refers to the "Pharisees of old" who "compassed sea and land" to make "one proselyte." This allusion to the Pharisees, who were known for their legalism and hypocrisy, suggests that those who seek to enforce religious conformity are not being true to the spirit of their faith.
Finally, Milton uses metaphor to compare the "new forcers of conscience" to various animals, including lions, wolves, and vultures. This metaphor emphasizes the predatory nature of those who seek to force others to conform to their own beliefs.
Themes
The main theme of the poem is the importance of personal liberty and religious freedom. Milton argues that individuals should be free to worship as they choose, without fear of persecution or coercion. He suggests that true religious faith cannot be forced upon someone, but must be freely chosen.
Another theme explored in the poem is the hypocrisy of those who seek to enforce religious conformity. Milton argues that those who try to impose their own beliefs on others are not truly living up to the principles of their faith. He suggests that true religious faith involves a personal commitment to God, rather than a blind adherence to a set of rules and regulations.
Finally, the poem also explores the idea of the relationship between the individual and the state. Milton suggests that the state has no right to dictate the religious beliefs of its citizens, and that individuals should be free to express their beliefs without fear of persecution.
Historical Context
The poem was written in the context of the English Civil War, which was fought from 1642 to 1651 between the forces of Parliament and those of King Charles I. The Long Parliament was a group of MPs who sat from 1640 until 1660. They were responsible for the trial and execution of King Charles I, and for the establishment of a Puritan government.
During this time, there was significant religious persecution against those who did not conform to the Puritan faith. Catholics, Anglicans, and other religious minorities were often targeted for their beliefs. Milton, a Puritan himself, was disturbed by this persecution and wrote On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament as a response.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Milton's On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament is a powerful poem that speaks to the importance of personal liberty and religious freedom. Milton employs a number of literary devices to emphasize the predatory and oppressive nature of those who seek to enforce religious conformity. The themes explored in the poem, including the importance of personal commitment to God, the hypocrisy of those who seek to enforce religious conformity, and the relationship between the individual and the state, are still relevant today. This poem serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of individual liberty and the dangers of religious persecution.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament: A Masterpiece of Political Poetry
John Milton, one of the greatest poets in English literature, wrote On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament in 1646. This poem is a masterpiece of political poetry that reflects the turbulent times of the English Civil War and the struggle for religious freedom. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem and how it reflects the political and religious context of its time.
Themes
The main theme of On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament is the struggle for religious freedom. Milton was a Puritan, and he believed that the Church of England was corrupt and needed to be reformed. He saw the Long Parliament as an opportunity to achieve this goal, but he was disappointed when he saw that the Parliament was also trying to impose its own religious beliefs on the people. In the poem, Milton criticizes the Parliament for its hypocrisy and its use of force to suppress dissenting opinions.
Another theme of the poem is the power of conscience. Milton believed that every individual had the right to follow their own conscience and that no one had the right to force their beliefs on others. He saw the Parliament's attempt to impose its own religious beliefs as a violation of this fundamental right. In the poem, he portrays the conscience as a powerful force that cannot be suppressed by force or coercion.
Structure
On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme of this sonnet is ABBAABBACDCDEE. The poem is divided into two parts, an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave presents the problem, and the sestet presents the solution.
The octave of the poem describes the new forcers of conscience, who are the members of the Long Parliament. Milton criticizes them for their hypocrisy and their use of force to suppress dissenting opinions. He describes them as "new prescribers" who "reign" over the people and "force" them to conform to their beliefs. He also criticizes them for their use of "tyranny" and "cruelty" to suppress dissent.
The sestet of the poem presents the solution to the problem. Milton argues that the conscience cannot be suppressed by force or coercion. He describes the conscience as a "sacred gift" that cannot be taken away. He also argues that the conscience is a "kingly" power that cannot be overthrown by force. He concludes the poem by saying that the conscience will ultimately triumph over the new forcers of conscience.
Language
The language of On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament is powerful and evocative. Milton uses vivid imagery and strong metaphors to convey his message. For example, he describes the new forcers of conscience as "new prescribers" who "reign" over the people. This metaphor suggests that the Parliament is trying to impose its own beliefs on the people and that it is acting like a tyrant.
Milton also uses strong language to criticize the Parliament's use of force. He describes their actions as "tyranny" and "cruelty" and suggests that they are using force to suppress dissenting opinions. He also uses the metaphor of a "wilderness of sweets" to describe the freedom of conscience that the Parliament is trying to suppress. This metaphor suggests that the freedom of conscience is a precious and valuable thing that should not be taken away.
Milton's use of language is also evident in his description of the conscience. He describes it as a "sacred gift" and a "kingly" power. These metaphors suggest that the conscience is a fundamental right that cannot be taken away and that it is a powerful force that cannot be overthrown by force.
Conclusion
On The New Forcers Of Conscience Under The Long Parliament is a masterpiece of political poetry that reflects the turbulent times of the English Civil War and the struggle for religious freedom. Milton's use of vivid imagery, strong metaphors, and powerful language conveys his message that the conscience is a fundamental right that cannot be suppressed by force or coercion. The poem is a powerful reminder of the importance of religious freedom and the need to protect the rights of individuals to follow their own conscience.
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