John Milton's Grand Style

Renowned Tributes

It is not easy to discuss Milton's grand style because renowned critics have already paid great tributes to its power and sublimity.

Sublimity and Elevation

The distinguishing note of 'Paradise Lost' is the sublimity and elevation of its style. Milton created a style, which is worthy of his lofty epic theme, seeming to belong to the ancient heroic times.

Comparisons and Praises

Mathew Arnold's Perspective Arnold compares Milton's style to "the large utterance of the early gods," praising his classical style as "the grand style."
Johnson's Assessment Johnson emphasizes the characteristic quality of Milton's poem as sublimity, acknowledging occasional elegance but noting Milton's natural inclination towards gigantic loftiness that astonishes rather than merely pleases.

Uniqueness in Rhythm and Diction

Mathew Arnold admires Milton's flawless rhythm and diction, likening his skill to that of Virgil and Dante, highlighting Milton's unique distinction in English literature.

Critical Views

T.S. Eliot's Critique Eliot critically remarks on Milton's poetry, suggesting it as a potentially negative influence on any poet. He implies the ongoing struggle against Milton's influence in literary works.

Eliot's Critique and Misinterpretation

Many readers took Eliot's criticism to heart, often overlooking the fact that he did not deem Milton a bad poet. Instead, Eliot suggested that Milton intentionally made his work so complex and intricate that it could be beyond the grasp of many standard poets attempting to achieve the sublimity of Milton's grand style.

Milton's Intention of Grandeur

Milton intended to write in a "grand style" employing a vast vocabulary, complex grammatical structures, and a deliberately intricate approach to imitate the grandeur of orally recited epics. However, this artificial style was difficult to emulate, leading to some imitators tarnishing the original work.

Characteristics of Milton's Grand Style

The grandeur of 'Paradise Lost' mirrors the heroic examples of Homer and Virgil, the sublimity of the Bible, and an elevated European style that deliberately surpasses the vernacular. Even critics who dislike Milton's verse acknowledge its grandeur while arguing that this grandeur might sacrifice delicacy and subtlety.

Persistence of Debates on Style

Arguments about Milton's style continue, akin to discussions about other distinct writers like Henry James, Jane Austen, and even James Joyce. What one person perceives as sublimity may puzzle another.

Perspicuity and Clearness

Traditionally, epic poems are clear and perspicuous, as is 'Paradise Lost'. Despite Milton's complex concepts and intricate verse structure, he achieves clarity and vividness by compressing significant meaning into his words, avoiding unnecessary repetition.

Allusions, Vocabulary, and Complexity

Milton's grand style incorporates numerous allusions and references, alongside arcane and archaic vocabulary, extending readers' understanding through comparison. However, the use of obscure references raises the question of whether Milton achieves his intended effect or the opposite.

Manipulation of Rhythm and Sounds

Milton's manipulation of rhythm and sounds, besides Shakespeare, is unparalleled in literary achievements. The continuous flow of long sentences and... [text continues]

Shakespeare's Rhythmic Mastery

T.S. Eliot praises Shakespeare's skill in mastering rhythm, citing his use of blank verse to exhibit sublime quality, as seen in the example of Mulciber's falling.

Sentence Construction in 'Paradise Lost'

Milton employs a syntactical language in 'Paradise Lost' that diverges from typical English patterns. He intentionally uses atypical syntactical structures, rarely employing simple sentences. This inverted and sometimes convoluted syntax serves both the poetic meter and Milton's stylistic aims.

Latinate Syntax and Elusiveness of Meaning

In Book VIII of 'Paradise Lost,' Milton's use of Latinate syntax results in passages where the precise meaning may elude readers. An excerpt from this section demonstrates this syntactical complexity, emphasizing images of drowsing insensibility and dissolution that Lewis and other admirers of the grand style argue are more impressionistic than precise in conveying meaning.

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Milton's Literary Devices and Stylistic Techniques

Difficulties in Interpretation

Milton's passages, especially as breakdowns of conscious minds, like Adam's, are complex and difficult to understand literally. However, when in the hands of less skilled writers, such intricacies often become nonsensical.

Classical Influence on Diction

Milton's distinctive diction elevates his style by borrowing extensively from classical languages in both meaning and structure. He deliberately incorporates Latin words and sometimes uses them in their original Latin sense, contributing to the uniqueness of his language.

Usage and Significance of Similes

Milton's similes, drawn primarily from classical literature, mythology, history, and nature, serve to provide relief from the intensity of narrative and add majesty and grandeur to his style. He employs extended similes reminiscent of Homer's 'Odyssey', enriching his descriptions and imbuing them with unexpected meanings.

Repeated Imagery and Personification

Apart from extended similes, Milton repeatedly employs images such as mazes or labyrinths, weaving them throughout the poem to enhance understanding. He also personifies elements of nature and abstract concepts, adding a suggestion of life and individuality to them.

Unique Names and Personification

Milton often uses peculiar names, either unfamiliar or with classical or Biblical associations, to enrich the sonority and impressiveness of his style. Additionally, he frequently personifies various elements, infusing them with an eerie and shadowy quality.

Milton's Unique Style and Conclusion

Critics may find elements of Milton's style subject to criticism, yet in the context of 'Paradise Lost', his accomplishment in defining the style of the English epic remains unparalleled. His style, while debated, is distinct, incorporating various literary devices and techniques to achieve a grandeur unique to Milton's epic.