Introduction
John Milton, a renowned English poet of the 17th century, is best known for his epic works like Paradise Lost. However, nestled among his impressive body of work is a gem of lyrical poetry that often doesn't receive as much attention as it deserves— Il Penseroso. This poem, a companion piece to L'Allegro, beautifully celebrates the joys and virtues of a contemplative life.
Summary
Il Penseroso serves as a companion piece to Milton's earlier work, L'Allegro. While L'Allegro celebrates the joys of a cheerful and active life, Il Penseroso explores the pleasures of a contemplative and introspective existence.
In Il Penseroso, the speaker expresses a preference for a solitary and reflective life. The poem describes the various aspects of this contemplative lifestyle, including the enjoyment of literature, music, and the arts, as well as the beauty of the natural world during the quiet hours of the night. The speaker finds solace and inspiration in the company of the Muses and spends their time immersed in intellectual pursuits and artistic appreciation.
Throughout the poem, Milton contrasts the quiet and serene life of the thoughtful individual with the more lively and sociable existence depicted in L'Allegro. Il Penseroso ultimately celebrates the value of intellectual and inner fulfillment over external pleasures and frivolity, emphasizing the richness of the inner life and the joy it brings to those who embrace it. It is a contemplative ode to the power of the mind and the beauty found in the world of thought and imagination.
Analysis
Il Penseroso by John Milton is a rich and contemplative poem composed of multiple stanzas. Let us attempt an analysis with respect to the lines and stanzas of the poem for a better understanding.
In the opening stanzas, the speaker invokes the "muses" to inspire his contemplative state of mind. He seeks the company of the quiet night, where he can indulge in intellectual pursuits and artistic endeavors. The speaker describes his preference for the tranquil night and the beauty of moonlight, which enhances the pleasures of contemplation. The moon and stars become sources of inspiration. The contemplative life is contrasted with the lively and noisy world of revelry and mirth. The speaker expresses a preference for the former, where he can engage with literature and poetry. The speaker's love for poetry is evident as he describes the joys of reading classical literature, especially the works of ancient poets. He finds happiness in his solitude, away from the hustle and bustle of social life. The speaker discusses the influence of the "Stoic" philosophy on his contemplative nature, emphasizing self-control and inner calm. He also mentions the pleasures of solitary walks and the appreciation of nature's beauty.
The speaker continues to praise the quiet life, which allows him to explore the wonders of the natural world, including the scenic countryside, rivers, and hills. The poem then shifts to the idea of Melancholy as a source of inspiration for contemplation. This melancholy is depicted as a gentle and creative force that stirs the imagination. The speaker personifies Melancholy as a goddess who can inspire poets and artists. This section reflects on the transformative power of melancholy in fostering creativity and artistic expression.
The contemplative life is linked to an appreciation of the fine arts, including music and the theater. The speaker finds joy in attending musical performances and theatrical productions. The speaker reflects on the various places associated with the contemplative life, such as libraries, temples, and academic halls, where he can pursue knowledge and wisdom. In the final stanzas, the speaker concludes by expressing his desire to live a contemplative life, even if it means being isolated from the world of revelry. He values the inner peace and intellectual pursuits that this life offers.
Throughout the poem, Milton celebrates the virtues of a contemplative existence, filled with intellectual and artistic pleasures, while contrasting it with the more active and social aspects of life. The imagery of the night, nature, and intellectual pursuits contributes to the overall theme of the poem, which extols the beauty and richness of the inner life.
Themes
Il Penseroso by John Milton explores several prominent themes through its lyrical and contemplative verses. Here are some of the key themes in the poem:
1. Contemplation and Solitude: The central theme of the poem is the celebration of a contemplative and solitary life. The speaker prefers solitude, quiet nights, and introspection to the bustling and social world depicted in L'Allegro. The poem highlights the intellectual and emotional benefits of solitude, emphasizing that it allows one to engage deeply with art, literature, and nature.
2. Intellectual Pursuits: Intellectual and artistic activities are highly valued in Il Penseroso. The speaker finds pleasure in reading, studying, attending the theater, and appreciating music. These activities are portrayed as sources of joy and enlightenment for the contemplative soul.
3. Nature and Night Imagery: The poem is filled with vivid imagery related to the night and natural landscapes. Moonlight, stars, rivers, and hills are described as enhancing the pleasures of contemplation. Nature is depicted as a source of inspiration and a place for solitary walks and reflection.
4. Contrast with 'L'Allegro': Il Penseroso serves as a companion piece to L'Allegro and, as such, explores the contrast between the cheerful and active life (L'Allegro) and the thoughtful and introspective life (Il Penseroso). This contrast highlights the different ways people find happiness and fulfillment.
5. Emotional Range: The poem explores a range of emotions, from melancholy and pensiveness to the joy of intellectual and artistic appreciation. It suggests that the contemplative life allows for a deeper and more profound experience of emotions and the world.
6. Spiritual and Moral Elements: While celebrating the intellectual and aesthetic pleasures of the contemplative life, the poem also hints at a sense of moral and spiritual elevation that can be achieved through inner reflection and virtuous pursuits. It suggests that this life is closer to divine contemplation.
7. Personification: The poem personifies abstract concepts such as Melancholy and Euphrosyne (goddess of mirth) to embody the contrasting aspects of the contemplative and cheerful lives. This personification adds depth to the thematic exploration.
8. Artistic Inspiration: The poem suggests that melancholy, in moderation, can serve as a source of artistic inspiration. Melancholy is portrayed as a gentle and creative force that stirs the imagination and fosters the creation of art.
9. Literary Allusions: Milton references various literary and mythological figures in the poem, such as "Melancholy" and "Stoic" philosophy. These allusions contribute to the intellectual depth of the work.
Il Penseroso is a contemplative masterpiece that delves into these themes to celebrate the value of the inner life, the joy of intellectual pursuits, and the beauty found in the world of thought and imagination. It contrasts this contemplative existence with the more active and social aspects of life, inviting readers to reflect on what brings true fulfillment and happiness.
Conclusion
Il Penseroso by John Milton is a timeless masterpiece that invites readers into the contemplative realm. It celebrates the beauty of solitude, the richness of intellectual pursuits, and the profound connection between nature and the inner self. As we navigate our modern lives, Milton's ode to the contemplative spirit serves as a reminder of the enduring value of introspection and the intellectual life.
IL PENSEROSO
Hence vain deluding Joys,
The brood of Folly without father bred,
How little you bested,
Or fill the fixed mind with all your toys;
Dwell in some idle brain,
And fancies fond with gaudy shapes possess,
As thick and numberless
As the gay motes that people the sunbeams,
Or likest hovering dreams,
The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train.
But hail thou goddess, sage and holy,
Hail divinest Melancholy,
Whose saintly visage is too bright
To hit the sense of human sight;
And therefore to our weaker view,
O'er-laid with black, staid Wisdom's hue;
Black, but such as in esteem,
Prince Memnon's sister might beseem,
Or that starr'd Ethiop queen that strove
To set her beauty's praise above
The sea nymphs, and their powers offended.
Yet thou art higher far descended,
Thee bright-hair'd Vesta long of yore,
To solitary Saturn bore;
His daughter she (in Saturn's reign,
Such mixture was not held a stain)
Oft in glimmering bow'rs and glades
He met her, and in secret shades
Of woody Ida's inmost grove,
While yet there was no fear of Jove.
Come pensive nun, devout and pure,
Sober, stedfast, and demure,
All in a robe of darkest grain,
Flowing with majestic train,
And sable stole of cypress lawn,
Over thy decent shoulders drawn.
Come, but keep thy wonted state,
With ev'n step, and musing gait,
And looks commercing with the skies,
Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes:
There held in holy passion still,
Forget thyself to marble, till
With a sad leaden downward cast,
Thou fix them on the earth as fast.
And join with thee calm Peace, and Quiet,
Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet,
And hears the Muses in a ring,
Aye round about Jove's altar sing.
And add to these retired Leisure,
That in trim gardens takes his pleasure;
But first, and chiefest, with thee bring
Him that yon soars on golden wing,
Guiding the fiery-wheeled throne,
The cherub Contemplation;
And the mute Silence hist along,
'Less Philomel will deign a song,
In her sweetest, saddest plight,
Smoothing the rugged brow of night,
While Cynthia checks her dragon yoke,
Gently o'er th' accustom'd oak.
Sweet bird that shunn'st the noise of folly,
Most musical, most melancholy!
Thee, chauntress, oft the woods among,
I woo to hear thy even-song;
And missing thee, I walk unseen
On the dry smooth-shaven green,
To behold the wand'ring Moon,
Riding near her highest noon,
Like one that had been led astray
Through the heav'ns wide pathless way;
And oft, as if her head she bow'd,
Stooping through a fleecy cloud.
Oft on a plat of rising ground,
I hear the far-off curfew sound,
Over some wide-water'd shore,
Swinging slow with sullen roar;
Or if the air will not permit,
Some still removed place will fit,
Where glowing embers through the room
Teach light to counterfeit a gloom,
Far from all resort of mirth,
Save the cricket on the hearth,
Or the bellman's drowsy charm,
To bless the doors from nightly harm.
Or let my lamp at midnight hour,
Be seen in some high lonely tow'r,
Where I may oft out-watch the Bear,
With thrice great Hermes, or unsphere
The spirit of Plato, to unfold
What worlds, or what vast regions hold
The immortal mind that hath forsook
Her mansion in this fleshly nook:
And of those dæmons that are found
In fire, air, flood, or under ground,
Whose power hath a true consent
With planet, or with element.
Sometime let gorgeous Tragedy
In sceptr'd pall come sweeping by,
Presenting Thebes', or Pelop's line,
Or the tale of Troy divine,
Or what (though rare) of later age,
Ennobled hath the buskin'd stage.
But, O sad Virgin, that thy power
Might raise Musæus from his bower,
Or bid the soul of Orpheus sing
Such notes as, warbled to the string,
Drew iron tears down Pluto's cheek,
And made Hell grant what love did seek.
Or call up him that left half told
The story of Cambuscan bold,
Of Camball, and of Algarsife,
And who had Canace to wife,
That own'd the virtuous ring and glass,
And of the wond'rous horse of brass,
On which the Tartar king did ride;
And if aught else, great bards beside,
In sage and solemn tunes have sung,
Of tourneys and of trophies hung,
Of forests, and enchantments drear,
Where more is meant than meets the ear.
Thus, Night, oft see me in thy pale career,
Till civil-suited Morn appear,
Not trick'd and frounc'd as she was wont,
With the Attic boy to hunt,
But kerchief'd in a comely cloud,
While rocking winds are piping loud,
Or usher'd with a shower still,
When the gust hath blown his fill,
Ending on the rustling leaves,
With minute-drops from off the eaves.
And when the Sun begins to fling
His flaring beams, me, goddess, bring
To arched walks of twilight groves,
And shadows brown that Sylvan loves,
Of pine, or monumental oak,
Where the rude axe with heaved stroke,
Was never heard the nymphs to daunt,
Or fright them from their hallow'd haunt.
There in close covert by some brook,
Where no profaner eye may look,
Hide me from Day's garish eye,
While the bee with honied thigh,
That at her flow'ry work doth sing,
And the waters murmuring
With such consort as they keep,
Entice the dewy-feather'd sleep;
And let some strange mysterious dream,
Wave at his wings, in airy stream
Of lively portraiture display'd,
Softly on my eye-lids laid.
And as I wake, sweet music breathe
Above, about, or underneath,
Sent by some spirit to mortals good,
Or th' unseen Genius of the wood.
But let my due feet never fail
To walk the studious cloister's pale,
And love the high embowed roof,
With antique pillars massy proof,
And storied windows richly dight,
Casting a dim religious light.
There let the pealing organ blow,
To the full-voic'd quire below,
In service high, and anthems clear,
As may with sweetness, through mine ear,
Dissolve me into ecstasies,
And bring all Heav'n before mine eyes.
And may at last my weary age
Find out the peaceful hermitage,
The hairy gown and mossy cell,
Where I may sit and rightly spell
Of every star that Heav'n doth shew,
And every herb that sips the dew;
Till old experience do attain
To something like prophetic strain.
These pleasures, Melancholy, give,
And I with thee will choose to live.
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