Milton's Comus By: John Milton (1608-1674)
John Milton’s Comus is a poetic drama that captivates its readers with its ethereal beauty and powerful message. Originally performed as a masque, this magnificent piece of literature delves deep into the realms of morality, temptation, and the resilience of virtue. The plot centers around Lady Alice, who becomes separated from her family in a forest. She encounters a charming but sinister character named Comus, whose aim is to seduce her and lead her astray. As the events unfold, the reader witnesses a battle between good and evil, personified in the form of virtuous Lady Alice and the manipulative Comus. Milton’s brilliance shines through his breathtaking language, which transports readers into a world of enchantment. The rich imagery and vivid descriptions immerse us in the magical setting of the forest, where ancient spirits and mythical creatures inhabit every corner. The lyrical prose moves effortlessly, evoking emotions that range from fear and suspense to hope and triumph. One of the most captivating aspects of Milton’s Comus is its exploration of morality and the human struggle against temptation. Lady Alice represents the epitome of virtue and morality, making her a relatable and inspirational character. Her unwavering commitment to staying true to her values in the face of grave danger is truly inspiring, reminding readers of the power of resilience and integrity. Comus, on the other hand, represents the seductive allure of vice. Milton skillfully portrays him as a cunning and charming character, tempting Lady Alice with his enticing words and deceptive promises. Through this duality, Milton delves into the complexities of human nature, posing thought-provoking questions about the choices we make when confronted with temptation. Furthermore, Milton’s Comus is rife with allegorical elements that enhance the overall depth and beauty of the narrative. The masque form allows for the incorporation of various symbolic figures, such as Sabrina, the water nymph, whose transformative powers represent the potential for redemption and salvation. In addition to its profound themes and enchanting language, Comus also offers a powerful critique of the patriarchal society of its time. Lady Alice’s agency and strength in the face of adversity break free from the conventional portrayal of women as passive victims. Milton challenges societal norms by presenting a female protagonist who not only withstands the pressures of male dominance but ultimately triumphs over them. John Milton’s Comus is a true masterpiece, blending the realms of poetry and drama with unparalleled elegance. Its exploration of morality, the battle against temptation, and the indomitable spirit of virtue remains relevant even in today’s world. Through his powerful words and compelling characters, Milton reminds us of the importance of staying true to our values, even in the darkest of times. First Page: {Transcriber's notes: ~Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, italic text by underscores . Greek text is transliterated and surrounded by plus signs . oe ligatures have been unpacked. Letters with overscores are represented as {=a}, {=e}, {=o}. The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent, as is the use of æ ligatures. No changes have been made to the original. } MILTON'S COMUS WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY WILLIAM BELL, M.A. PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY AND LOGIC, GOVERNMENT COLLEGE, LAHORE London MACMILLAN AND CO AND NEW YORK 1891 [ All rights reserved ] First Edition, 1890. Reprinted, 1891. CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION, vii COMUS, 7 NOTES, 38 INDEX TO THE NOTES, 113 INTRODUCTION. Few poems have been more variously designated than Comus . Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the form of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem... Continue reading book >>

Milton's Comus By: John Milton (1608-1674)

John Milton’s Comus is a poetic drama that captivates its readers with its ethereal beauty and powerful message. Originally performed as a masque, this magnificent piece of literature delves deep into the realms of morality, temptation, and the resilience of virtue.

The plot centers around Lady Alice, who becomes separated from her family in a forest. She encounters a charming but sinister character named Comus, whose aim is to seduce her and lead her astray. As the events unfold, the reader witnesses a battle between good and evil, personified in the form of virtuous Lady Alice and the manipulative Comus.

Milton’s brilliance shines through his breathtaking language, which transports readers into a world of enchantment. The rich imagery and vivid descriptions immerse us in the magical setting of the forest, where ancient spirits and mythical creatures inhabit every corner. The lyrical prose moves effortlessly, evoking emotions that range from fear and suspense to hope and triumph.

One of the most captivating aspects of Milton’s Comus is its exploration of morality and the human struggle against temptation. Lady Alice represents the epitome of virtue and morality, making her a relatable and inspirational character. Her unwavering commitment to staying true to her values in the face of grave danger is truly inspiring, reminding readers of the power of resilience and integrity.

Comus, on the other hand, represents the seductive allure of vice. Milton skillfully portrays him as a cunning and charming character, tempting Lady Alice with his enticing words and deceptive promises. Through this duality, Milton delves into the complexities of human nature, posing thought-provoking questions about the choices we make when confronted with temptation.

Furthermore, Milton’s Comus is rife with allegorical elements that enhance the overall depth and beauty of the narrative. The masque form allows for the incorporation of various symbolic figures, such as Sabrina, the water nymph, whose transformative powers represent the potential for redemption and salvation.

In addition to its profound themes and enchanting language, Comus also offers a powerful critique of the patriarchal society of its time. Lady Alice’s agency and strength in the face of adversity break free from the conventional portrayal of women as passive victims. Milton challenges societal norms by presenting a female protagonist who not only withstands the pressures of male dominance but ultimately triumphs over them.

John Milton’s Comus is a true masterpiece, blending the realms of poetry and drama with unparalleled elegance. Its exploration of morality, the battle against temptation, and the indomitable spirit of virtue remains relevant even in today’s world. Through his powerful words and compelling characters, Milton reminds us of the importance of staying true to our values, even in the darkest of times.

First Page:

{Transcriber's notes: ~Bold~ text is surrounded by tildes ~, italic text by underscores . Greek text is transliterated and surrounded by plus signs . oe ligatures have been unpacked. Letters with overscores are represented as {=a}, {=e}, {=o}. The use of é and è to indicate stresses is inconsistent, as is the use of æ ligatures. No changes have been made to the original. }

MILTON'S COMUS

WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES

BY WILLIAM BELL, M.A. PROFESSOR OF PHILOSOPHY AND LOGIC, GOVERNMENT COLLEGE, LAHORE

London MACMILLAN AND CO AND NEW YORK 1891

First Edition, 1890. Reprinted, 1891.

CONTENTS.

PAGE INTRODUCTION, vii COMUS, 7 NOTES, 38 INDEX TO THE NOTES, 113

INTRODUCTION.

Few poems have been more variously designated than Comus . Milton himself describes it simply as "A Mask"; by others it has been criticised and estimated as a lyrical drama, a drama in the epic style, a lyric poem in the form of a play, a phantasy, an allegory, a philosophical poem, a suite of speeches or majestic soliloquies, and even a didactic poem... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Literature
Poetry

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Wikipedia – Milton's Comus

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