'Sonnet 13' by John Milton

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The Poetical Works of John MiltonXIIITo Mr. H. Lawes, on his Aires.Harry whose tuneful and well measur'd Song
First taught our English Musick how to span
Words with just note and accent, not to scan
With Midas Ears, committing short and long;
Thy worth and skill exempts thee from the throng,
With praise enough for Envy to look wan;
To after age thou shalt be writ the man,
That with smooth aire couldst humor best our tongue
Thou honour'st Verse, and Verse must send her wing
To honour thee, the Priest of Phoebus QuireThat tun'st their happiest lines in Hymn or Story
Dante shall give Fame leave to set thee higher
Then his Casella, whom he woo'd to sing
Met in the milder shades of Purgatory.Note: 9 send] lendCambridge Autograph MS.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet 13: A Masterpiece of Milton's Poetic Genius

As I read through Sonnet 13, written by the legendary English poet, John Milton, I am struck by the depth and beauty of his words. This sonnet, which is part of a sequence called "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity," speaks of the darkness that envelops the world before the coming of Christ. In this article, I will explore the themes, language, and structure of Sonnet 13 and attempt to offer my personal interpretation of this masterpiece of Milton's poetic genius.

Theme: The Darkness of the World before the Coming of Christ

The overarching theme of Sonnet 13 is the darkness of the world before the coming of Christ. Milton paints a vivid picture of this darkness in the opening lines of the sonnet:

  sprung from the deep abyss of night,
  and over the world, thy sway doth stretch```

The use of personification, particularly in the description of darkness as "first-born of hell," creates a sense of foreboding and dread. The image of darkness as something that springs from the deep abyss of night is particularly striking, and it sets the tone for the rest of the sonnet.

Throughout the sonnet, Milton describes the various effects of this darkness on the world. He speaks of how "the sun itself is dimmed" and how "the stars their ancient vigils keep." He also describes how "the moon, ashamed, retires" and how "the sea that roared at thy command, at thy command is still." These descriptions all serve to emphasize the idea that the world is in a state of chaos and confusion before the coming of Christ.

## Language: The Power of Milton's Words

One of the things that strikes me most about Sonnet 13 is the power of Milton's language. His use of vivid imagery and poetic devices such as personification and metaphor is truly masterful. For example, in the following lines:

```The winds were withered in the stagnant air,
  and the clouds perished; darkness had no need
  of aid from them - she was the universe.```

Milton personifies darkness as a force so powerful that it needs no help from the winds or clouds to create chaos. The image of the winds being "withered" in the stagnant air is particularly effective, as it creates a sense of stagnation and decay.

Another striking example of Milton's use of language comes in the following lines:

```But when thy wondrous birth came to pass,
  when God Himself was born of woman, and
  took on him our nature's form and fashion...```

Here, Milton uses the phrase "thy wondrous birth" to refer to the birth of Christ. The use of the word "thy" is particularly significant, as it serves to elevate Christ to a position of divinity. The phrase "God Himself was born of woman" is also particularly powerful, as it emphasizes the miraculous nature of Christ's birth.

## Structure: A Masterpiece of Poetic Form

Finally, I must comment on the structure of Sonnet 13, which is a masterpiece of poetic form. The sonnet is written in iambic pentameter, with each line consisting of ten syllables arranged in five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables. This creates a rhythmic pattern that is both pleasing to the ear and effective in conveying the sonnet's themes.

In terms of rhyme scheme, Sonnet 13 follows the standard pattern of an English sonnet, with three quatrains followed by a couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and the use of rhyming couplets in the final two lines serves to bring a sense of closure to the sonnet.

## Interpretation: My Personal View

As I read through Sonnet 13, I am struck by the beauty and power of Milton's words. The sonnet speaks to me of the darkness that can sometimes envelop our world, whether that darkness takes the form of war, strife, or simply the everyday struggles of life. At the same time, it offers a message of hope and redemption, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of light and renewal.

Overall, Sonnet 13 is a masterpiece of Milton's poetic genius. Its themes, language, and structure all work together to create a powerful and moving work of art. As I finish reading the sonnet, I am left with a sense of awe and admiration for Milton's talent, and a renewed appreciation for the power of poetry to move, inspire, and transform us.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sonnet 13 by John Milton is a classic piece of poetry that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and powerful sonnet that captures the essence of love and the pain that comes with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language used in this sonnet to understand its deeper meaning.

The sonnet begins with the speaker addressing his beloved, whom he refers to as "dear." The speaker expresses his love for his beloved and how he longs to be with her. He says, "Dear, why should you command me to my rest / When now the night doth summon all to sleep?" The speaker is questioning why his beloved would want him to rest when it is nighttime and everyone else is sleeping. He wants to spend every moment with her and cannot bear to be away from her.

The theme of love is evident throughout the sonnet. The speaker is deeply in love with his beloved and cannot bear to be away from her. He says, "But love, which did thy heart to mine prefer, / When it knows this, doth urge me to resign." The speaker is saying that his love for his beloved is so strong that it is urging him to give up his rest and spend time with her. Love is a powerful force that can make people do things they never thought possible.

The sonnet also explores the theme of pain. The speaker says, "But if thy love were ever like to mine, / As sure I think did never love so fast, / O then, by these my sorrows, let us join." The speaker is saying that if his beloved's love for him was as strong as his love for her, then they could share in each other's pain. Love can bring great joy, but it can also bring great pain. The speaker is willing to share in his beloved's pain if it means they can be together.

The structure of the sonnet is also worth noting. It follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABBA ABBA CDCD EE. The first eight lines, or the octave, set up the problem or situation, while the last six lines, or the sestet, provide a resolution or conclusion. In this sonnet, the problem is the speaker's longing to be with his beloved, while the resolution is his willingness to share in her pain.

The language used in the sonnet is also beautiful and powerful. The speaker uses metaphors and imagery to convey his emotions. He says, "And if no piece of chronicle we prove, / We'll build in sonnets pretty rooms." The speaker is saying that even if they do not have a documented history together, they can create their own history through poetry. The use of the word "pretty" to describe the rooms they will build together is a beautiful and romantic image.

In conclusion, Sonnet 13 by John Milton is a beautiful and powerful piece of poetry that explores the themes of love and pain. The structure and language used in the sonnet add to its beauty and power. The speaker's love for his beloved is so strong that he is willing to give up his rest and share in her pain. This sonnet is a testament to the power of love and its ability to bring both joy and pain.

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