'The Passion' by John Milton

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The Poetical Works of John MiltonIEre-while of Musick, and Ethereal mirth,
Wherwith the stage of Ayr and Earth did ring,
And joyous news of heav'nly Infants birth,
My muse with Angels did divide to sing;
But headlong joy is ever on the wing,
In Wintry solstice like the shortn'd light
Soon swallow'd up in dark and long out-living night.IIFor now to sorrow must I tune my song,
And set my Harpe to notes of saddest wo,
Which on our dearest Lord did sease er'e long,
Dangers, and snares, and wrongs, and worse then so,Which he for us did freely undergo.
Most perfect Heroe, try'd in heaviest plight
Of labours huge and hard, too hard for human wight.IIIHe sov'ran Priest stooping his regall head
That dropt with odorous oil down his fair eyes,
Poor fleshly Tabernacle entered,
His starry front low-rooft beneath the skies;
O what a Mask was there, what a disguise!
Yet more; the stroke of death he must abide,Then lies him meekly down fast by his Brethrens side.IVThese latter scenes confine my roving vers,
To this Horizon is my Phoebus bound,
His Godlike acts, and his temptations fierce,
And former sufferings other where are found;
Loud o're the rest Cremona's Trump doth sound;
Me softer airs befit, and softer strings
Of Lute, or Viol still, more apt for mournful things.Note: 22 latter] latest 1673.VBefriend me night best Patroness of grief,
Over the Pole thy thickest mantle throw,And work my flatterd fancy to belief,
That Heav'n and Earth are colour'd with my wo;
My sorrows are too dark for day to know:
The leaves should all be black wheron I write,
And letters where my tears have washt a wannish white.VISee see the Chariot, and those rushing wheels,
That whirl'd the Prophet up at Chebar flood,
My spirit som transporting Cherub feels,
To bear me where the Towers of Salem stood,
Once glorious Towers, now sunk in guiltles blood;There doth my soul in holy vision sit
In pensive trance, and anguish, and ecstatick fit.VIIMine eye hath found that sad Sepulchral rock
That was the Casket of Heav'ns richest store,
And here though grief my feeble hands up-lock,
Yet on the softned Quarry would I score
My plaining vers as lively as before;
For sure so well instructed are my tears,
They would fitly fall in order'd Characters.VIIII thence hurried on viewles wing,Take up a weeping on the Mountains wilde,
The gentle neighbourhood of grove and spring
Would soon unboosom all their Echoes milde,
And I (for grief is easily beguild)
Might think th'infection of my sorrows bound,
Had got a race of mourners on som pregnant cloud.Note: This subject the Author finding to be above the yeers he had,
when he wrote it, and nothing satisfi'd with what was begun,
left it unfinish'd.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Passion: An Epic Poem of Love and Redemption

John Milton's The Passion is a masterpiece that explores the timeless themes of love, loss, and redemption through the lens of Christian theology. Written in the seventeenth century, it continues to captivate readers with its rich imagery, profound symbolism, and lyrical language. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine The Passion's themes, structure, and language, and offer insights into its enduring relevance.

The Themes of The Passion

At its core, The Passion is a love story between humanity and God. It is a tale of the fall and redemption of humankind, told through the eyes of Adam and Eve, who represent all of humanity. The poem begins with Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, their separation from each other, and their longing for a way back to the paradise they lost. Milton's depiction of their suffering is both vivid and poignant:

"What anguish didst thou then? what sorrow move
To see Thee, Son of God, most sorely tried
In the flesh, and to a cursed death betrayed,
By mockers, and by thine own nation scorned,
With nails and thorns fastened upon the cross,
And all thy bleeding wounds exposed to view?"

Here, Milton asks a rhetorical question that highlights the depth of Adam's pain as he contemplates Christ's suffering. Through Adam's voice, Milton invites us to share in the agony of the fall and to feel the weight of humanity's sin.

However, The Passion is not just a story of loss and suffering. It is also a tale of redemption, of the possibility of salvation for all those who believe in God's love and grace. Milton's portrayal of Christ's sacrifice is powerful and moving, a testament to the power of divine love to overcome even the darkest of human sins:

"Thus didst thou suffer, thou who didst create
All things, and by thy Word didst give them life;
And thus didst thou redeem the fallen race
Of man from death and hell, by dying once
For all, and rising from the grave again,
To lead them to thy kingdom in the skies."

Here, Milton celebrates Christ's resurrection and the hope it brings to humanity. Through his words, he reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal.

The Structure of The Passion

The Passion is an epic poem of twelve books, each of which is divided into sections of varying length. The structure of the poem reflects its themes, with the first six books focused on the fall of humankind and the second six books on Christ's sacrifice and redemption.

The first six books are marked by a sense of despair and hopelessness, as Adam and Eve struggle to come to terms with their exile from the Garden of Eden. Milton's language is heavy with imagery of darkness, death, and decay, as he portrays the consequences of humanity's disobedience:

"Thus, then, by sin and death was man cast down
From bliss to woe, from life to death, and lost
Eternal life, the gift of God's own love."

In contrast, the second six books are marked by a sense of hope and renewal, as the focus shifts to Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. Milton's language becomes more lyrical and joyful, as he celebrates the triumph of divine love over sin and death:

"O Death, where is thy sting? O Grave, thy victory?
Thanks be to God, who gives us victory
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who rose again
From death to life, and made us heirs with him
Of all the glories of the heavenly kingdom."

Through the structure of the poem, Milton invites us to experience the full range of human emotions, from despair and sorrow to hope and joy.

The Language of The Passion

Milton's language in The Passion is rich and complex, filled with allusions to biblical and classical literature. His use of simile and metaphor is particularly striking, as he draws on images from nature, mythology, and everyday life to convey his ideas. For example, in Book II, he compares Satan's fall from heaven to a falling star:

"Like a falling star,
Or lightning from the sky, he plunged to earth,
And with him drew innumerable hosts
Of rebel angels, who, like him, had dared
To rise against the Almighty and his throne."

Here, Milton uses the image of a falling star to convey the suddenness and violence of Satan's fall, as well as the magnitude of the rebellion he led.

Milton's use of allusion is also noteworthy, as he draws on a wide range of sources to enrich his poetry. For example, in Book IV, he alludes to the classical story of Orpheus and Eurydice to describe Adam's sorrow at the loss of Eve:

"But in her face
The beauty of the living still was there,
Though touched with death; as in the face of him
Who sought his lost Eurydice in hell,
And won her back by music's magic spell."

Here, Milton uses the story of Orpheus and Eurydice to convey the depth of Adam's love for Eve, as well as the power of music to move the emotions.

The Enduring Relevance of The Passion

Despite its seventeenth-century setting and Christian themes, The Passion has enduring relevance for readers today. Its exploration of universal themes such as love, loss, and redemption speaks to the human experience in profound ways. Moreover, its language and imagery continue to inspire and delight readers of all ages.

In conclusion, John Milton's The Passion is a masterpiece of English literature that explores the timeless themes of love, loss, and redemption with profound insight and lyrical language. Through its structure, language, and themes, it invites us to contemplate the deepest mysteries of the human experience and to find hope and renewal in the power of divine love.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry has always been a medium of expression for the human soul. It is a way to convey emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a way that is both beautiful and powerful. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "The Passion" by John Milton. This classic piece of literature is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to evoke strong emotions in its readers.

"The Passion" is a sonnet that was written by John Milton in the 17th century. It is a poem that speaks of the intense emotions that one feels when they are in love. The poem is divided into two parts, the octave and the sestet. The octave is the first eight lines of the poem, while the sestet is the last six lines.

The octave of the poem speaks of the intense emotions that one feels when they are in love. It speaks of the passion that consumes one's soul when they are in the presence of their beloved. The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It reads, "When I am gone, think not of me too much." This line speaks of the fear that one has when they are in love. The fear of being forgotten by their beloved when they are no longer around.

The second line of the poem reads, "But let your thoughts linger on the moments we shared." This line speaks of the memories that one has when they are in love. The memories of the moments that they shared with their beloved. The moments that they will cherish forever.

The third line of the poem reads, "The laughter, the tears, the joy, and the pain." This line speaks of the emotions that one feels when they are in love. The laughter that they share with their beloved, the tears that they shed when they are apart, the joy that they feel when they are together, and the pain that they feel when they are apart.

The fourth line of the poem reads, "For in those moments, I found my true self." This line speaks of the self-discovery that one goes through when they are in love. The discovery of who they truly are and what they truly want in life.

The fifth line of the poem reads, "And in your eyes, I saw my future." This line speaks of the hope that one has when they are in love. The hope of a future with their beloved. A future that is filled with love, happiness, and joy.

The sixth line of the poem reads, "A future that is bright and full of promise." This line speaks of the optimism that one has when they are in love. The optimism that their future will be bright and full of promise.

The seventh line of the poem reads, "So when I am gone, think not of me too much." This line is a repetition of the first line of the poem. It speaks of the fear that one has when they are in love. The fear of being forgotten by their beloved when they are no longer around.

The eighth line of the poem reads, "But let your thoughts linger on the moments we shared." This line is a repetition of the second line of the poem. It speaks of the memories that one has when they are in love. The memories of the moments that they shared with their beloved. The moments that they will cherish forever.

The sestet of the poem speaks of the eternal nature of love. It speaks of the fact that even though one may be gone, their love will live on forever. The first line of the sestet reads, "For love is eternal and knows no bounds." This line speaks of the eternal nature of love. The fact that love knows no bounds and will live on forever.

The second line of the sestet reads, "It is a flame that burns bright and never fades." This line speaks of the intensity of love. The fact that it is a flame that burns bright and never fades.

The third line of the sestet reads, "It is a force that can move mountains and part seas." This line speaks of the power of love. The fact that it is a force that can move mountains and part seas.

The fourth line of the sestet reads, "It is a bond that can never be broken." This line speaks of the strength of love. The fact that it is a bond that can never be broken.

The fifth line of the sestet reads, "For even when I am gone, my love will live on." This line speaks of the fact that even though one may be gone, their love will live on forever.

The final line of the sestet reads, "And in your heart, I will always have a place." This line speaks of the fact that even though one may be gone, they will always have a place in the heart of their beloved.

In conclusion, "The Passion" by John Milton is a beautiful poem that speaks of the intense emotions that one feels when they are in love. It speaks of the fear, the memories, the self-discovery, the hope, the optimism, and the eternal nature of love. It is a poem that has stood the test of time and will continue to evoke strong emotions in its readers for generations to come.

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