Question- Write an essay on Milton as a child of Renaissance and Reformation.

Or
Write an essay on the Puritan and Classical elements in works of Milton.
Or
"Milton was a belated Elizabethan". Do you agree?
Or
'Milton is our only great poet in the ideals of the Renaissance and of Puritanism are equal passions." Elaborate and Illustrate.
Or
Comment on Milton's Hellenism in 'Paradise Lost.'
Or
Illustrate the harmonious blending of both humanism and puritanism in 'Paradise Lost'.
Or
Write a note on the fusion of Hellenism and Herbraism.
Or
Bring out the element of the Renaissance is Milton's poetry.

Answer -

Milton was a child of both the Renaissance (Hellenism)and the Reformation (Herbraism) that is why, there is a nice fusion of elements of both. Renaissance was characterised by revived interest in the writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans, a revival of classical learning and new out look on life which was characterised by love for beauty, music and art. These three emerged as a governing passion of writers during the Renaissance. This is also known as Hellenism or classicism and is an another name for the glossification of beauty music, art, love and exuberance of life-an adoration of beauty, romance and plastic arts.

Reformation : The Reformation, on the other hand was a religious movement which followed the Renaissance. It was an attempt to go to the simplicity and purity of the early Christian religion. Cultivation of religions, moral and spiritual values was the aim of this religious movement. The spirit of the reformation includes all the Habrewism stands for viz., spiritual discipline moral intensity and on other-wordly out look contrary to all kinds of gay frivolities and artistic pursuit of humanistic culture. The writers under the influence of reformation were moralists, preacher and reformers rather than humanists, artists or lover of beauty. They opposed the learning of classical master.

The Child of the Renaissance and the Reformation : Milton was both the child of Renaissance and the reformation. His childhood was spent at a time when the forces of Renaissance were in the ascendency. His youth witnessed the fruits of Puritanism and his old age marked the consumation of puritan ideals.

Raleigh says "His childhood was spent in the very twilight of the Elizabethan age, it was greatly fortunate for him and for us that he caught the after-glow of the sunset upon his face."

Milton's early poetry is dominated by the renaissance element. In his poetry written in the middle period we find the influence both of renaissance and puritanism. Later Milton inclines towards Puritanism and Renaissance element declines. However he did not discard it completely. The glimpeses of Renaissance are noticed here and there. It is not eliminated. One of his critic writes, "the real conflict in Milton was between the Puritan and Humanist. As a puritan he believed that nothing was good except in so far as it carried out the will of God, his conception of goodness was strictly ethical. But as a humanist he felt that many things are good in themselves without reference to theology or morals.

In his early poems of Milton's college days Ode to Nativity is written on Biblical subject but the treatment is Hellenic. It glows with imagination and is full of pagan imagery.

In the succeeding two poems L'Allegro and II Penseroso, renaissance influence is dominant both in their tone and temper. They present charming contrast pictures of man, nature and art. The poet dwells upon the pleasures of romance and rustic sports. There is little that is charactersically Puritan. We learn that the puritan element was at first quite subordinate and that it gradually gained in strength and depth till it became at last a dominant element. An example of Milton's love for the joys of life may be noticed in following lines from L'Allegro.

"Haste thee nymph and bring with thee
Jest and youthful jollity,
Quips and cranks and wanton wiles,
Nods, Becks and wreathed smiles,
Such as hang on Hebe's check."

In Comus, we notice a distinct change in the development of Milton's mind and Puritan spirit now makes its presence fell and it is combined with the love of music gorgeousness, beauty and decoration which are exponents of Renaissance. If we see Comus from literary point of view it looks that Comus belongs to the Renaissance. It is an example of the kind of drama which is called Majque which had its origin in Italy and had always been popular among the nobility. Comus reveals the growing conflict between ideals of Renaissance and those of Puritanism. Their relative proportions are now clearly beginning to change. The method for writing as adopted shows the persistence of Hellenism but the purpose shows the growth of Hebrewism.

Finally in Lycidas puritanic strain is introduced. This is a kind of puritanism which is political. We find Milton as classical humanist in his use of pagan imagery and elaborate description of flower show and a growing puritan in the introduction of St. Peter denouncing the corruptions of the clergy. Some critic has aptly said. "The learning and the art of the Renaissance were not abandened by him; but they were more and more used for the service of Puritan Philosphy of life."

The Renaissance and Reformation Elements in Paradise Lost : If one has to find full significance of the combination of Renaissance and Reformation elements in Milton he must study Paradise Lost where he employs the art and learning of the renaissance in the service of religious and moral truths. In Paradise lost where Milton appeares as a thinker and moralist he belongs completely to Puritanism but as an artist he is a humanist. In Paradise lost the zeal for righteousness and moral purpose of Puritanism is blended with the love for learning and the passion for beauty which are characteristics of Renaissance.

The construction of the poem, the incorporation of supernatural machinery and description of various angels and their fall, the description of war between God and Satan, the use of similies and grand style and the description of places, persons and events are Hellenic or Renaissance element in Paradise lost We find Milton is advocating for individualism which is a characteristic of Renaissance. But the spirit and purpose, the choice of theme with Biblical back ground Milton is fully puritanic. An example of the fusion of the elements is reproduced below:

"Hail holy light Before the sun
Before the Heavens, thou went and at the voice
Of God as with a mantle didst invest
The rising world of waters dark and deep
Won from the void and formless infinite."

In Paradise Regained Milton is completely dominiated by Paratanism and there is almost no trace of Renaissance element. Paradise Regained is an epic but it is not based on action in the traditional style. There is hardly any action in it because the entire space is taken by the spiritual conflict between good and evil.

Samson Agonistes is classical in form but in its theme and outlook it is Herbranic. Milton applies the forms of classical art to the treatment of Briblical subject. It is said that the Biblical story of Samson hovered in Milton's mind since when he was planning to write an epic but he dropped its idea in favour of the better idea of fall of man and "he returned to it now in all probability because he saw in the hero an image both of himself, blind, disappointed and surrounded by enemies, and of the puritan cause, overwhelmed by the might of its foes."

Conclusion: "From all the works of Milton, it is obvious that Milton is not only the highest, but the completest type of Puritanisin. But it is never forgotten that the culture of Renaissance was not totally exterminited by his puritanical blend of mind."

...Prev | Next...