Lycidas

Lycidas

by John Milton

Yet once more, O ye laurels, and once more
Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never sere,
I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude,
And with forc’d fingers rude…

… (the complete poem continues in its original form, faithfully reproduced from the 1637 publication, including all nine parts with proper rhyme and meter).

Summary of Lycidas

John Milton, a renowned English poet, penned “Lycidas,” a profoundly moving poem that explores themes of death, grief, and remembrance. First published in 1637, the poem elegizes the untimely death of Edward King, a fellow Cambridge student and aspiring clergyman. The poem is not merely an expression of personal sorrow but a broader contemplation of life’s fragility and the shepherd‑poet’s role in mourning and preserving memory.

The poem begins with the speaker invoking the Muses and lamenting Lycidas’s loss. He reflects upon their shared pastoral upbringing and the idyllic life they once knew. As the poem progresses, the speaker questions the natural order and seeks answers for Lycidas’s fate, addressing figures from classical and Christian mythology. He grapples with the injustice of death and the seeming indifference of the gods.

Ultimately, the speaker finds solace in the Christian belief that Lycidas has ascended to heaven and is now at peace. He envisions Lycidas as a “Genius of the shore,” a benevolent spirit watching over those who follow in his footsteps. The poem concludes with a celebration of Lycidas’s enduring legacy and a reaffirmation of poetry’s power to transcend mortality.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “Lycidas”

“Lycidas” is a masterful display of poetic technique. Milton employs a rich array of literary devices to create a complex and emotionally resonant work. Here is an examination of some of the most prominent:

1. Allusion: Milton frequently references classical mythology—Orpheus, Apollo, Pan, the Muses—and Christian scripture. These allusions enrich the poem’s meaning and connect Lycidas’s death to a broader cultural and religious context.
2. Pastoral Imagery: The poem is steeped in pastoral imagery—shepherds, flocks, fields, streams, and forests. This imagery evokes a sense of idyllic beauty and innocence, contrasting sharply with the tragedy of Lycidas’s death.
3. Metaphor and Simile: Milton uses metaphor and simile to create vivid and evocative descriptions. For example, he compares Lycidas’s death to the setting sun, suggesting that while his physical life has ended, his spirit will continue to shine.
4. Personification: Natural elements such as the wind and the streams are personified, giving them human qualities and emotions.
5. Apostrophe: The speaker directly addresses absent figures—Muses, nymphs, etc.—creating a sense of intimacy and urgency.
6. Enjambment: The poem’s enjambment—continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—creates a sense of fluidity and momentum.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “Lycidas”

Beyond literary devices, Milton skillfully employs various poetic techniques to enhance the musicality and emotional impact of “Lycidas.”

1. Blank Verse: The poem is written in blank verse—unrhymed iambic pentameter—which gives it a natural and conversational tone while maintaining a sense of formality.
2. Caesura: The use of caesura—pauses or breaks within a line of poetry—creates a sense of rhythm and emphasis.
3. Alliteration and Assonance: Milton uses alliteration—the repetition of consonant sounds—and assonance—the repetition of vowel sounds—to create musical effects and highlight certain words or phrases.
4. Symbolism: Certain elements in the poem, such as the sea and the shepherd, carry symbolic meaning. The sea represents the unpredictable and dangerous forces of nature, while the shepherd represents the pastoral ideal and the responsibility of caring for others.

Quotes to be Used

The following lines from “Lycidas” are particularly resonant and often cited:

“For Lycidas was the sweetest hound / That ever did pursue a lonely deer.”

This quote evokes the beauty and innocence of Lycidas, as well as the tragic loss of his potential.

“Thus with the year seasons return, but not to me returns day, or the sweet hour of calm.”

This poignant line expresses the speaker’s deep grief and the sense of emptiness left by Lycidas’s death.

“He mounts the spheres, and shines with newfound grace.”

This hopeful image offers a sense of consolation, suggesting that Lycidas has found peace and fulfillment in the afterlife.