We left off with John Milton's early masterpiece, "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity" which demonstrates both his vast command of literary history and early engagement with the Puritan cause. In this entry, the Contemplative will meditate on Milton's sonnet praise of his sole peer in the English language, William Shakespeare; and on the masterful, "L'Allegro" and "Il Penseroso" which inspired Handel to is highest level of artistic perfection. (See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZCTBvS47tI or play Handel on this blog on through the video bar.)
The years 1631 through 1633 show Milton to be much concerned with Shakespeare; first with his Shakespeare sonnet and again in "L'Allegro" were he refers to him, "Or sweetest Shakespeare, Fancy's child, Warble his native wood-notes wild. 1632 saw Milton's Shakespeare sonnet published in the Second Folio of Shakespeare's plays and Milton takes a MA degree from Christ's College on July 3.
I can not help but think that Milton's personal esteem of Shakespeare had eroded over the 3 years between each poem's composition. In the sonnet, Shakespeare is "memory's child" - in "L'Allegro" he is "Fancy's child" with 'native' notes that are wild.
1633 saw two great losses for the Anglican Church; the death of George Herbert and William Laud became the Archbishop of Canterbury, fervent supporter of King Charles I and the absolute divine right of the king.
Paradise Lost Book II
The Consultation begun, Satan debates whether another Battel be to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven: some advise it, others dissuade: A third proposal is prefer'd, mention'd before by Satan, to search the truth of that Prophesie or Tradition in Heaven concerning another world, and another kind of creature equal or not much inferiour to themselves, about this time to be created: Thir doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search: Satan thir chief undertakes alone the voyage, is honourdand applauded. The Councel thus ended, the rest betake them several wayes and to several imployments, as thir inclinations lead them, to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on his journey to Hell Gates, finds them shut, and who sat there to guard them, by whom at length they are, and discover to him the great Gulf between Hell and Heaven; with what difficulty he passes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that place, to the sight of this new World which he sought.
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