Introduction
John Milton’s “On Shakespeare” is a powerful tribute to the Bard of Avon, written in 1630 and published in the Second Folio of Shakespeare’s works in 1632. This 16-line poem, also known as “An Epitaph on the Admirable Dramaticke Poet, W. Shakespeare,” showcases Milton’s admiration for Shakespeare’s enduring legacy. In this study guide, we’ll break down the poem line by line, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.
The Poem: “On Shakespeare” by John Milton
What needs my Shakespeare for his honored bones,
The labor of an age in pilèd stones,
Or that his hallowed relics should be hid
Under a star-y-pointing pyramid?
Dear son of Memory, great heir of Fame,
What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name?
Thou, in our wonder and astonishment,
Hast built thyself a live-long monument.
For whilst, to the shame of slow-endeavoring art,
Thy easy numbers flow, and that each heart
Hath, from the leaves of thy unvalued book,
Those Delphic lines with deep impression took,
Then thou, our fancy of itself bereaving,
Dost make us marble with too much conceiving;
And so sepúlchred in such pomp dost lie,
That kings for such a tomb would wish to die.
Line-by-Line Analysis
Lines 1-2: The Futility of Physical Monuments
What needs my Shakespeare for his honored bones,
The labor of an age in pilèd stones,
Milton begins with a rhetorical question, challenging the need for a physical monument to honor Shakespeare. The phrase “my Shakespeare” suggests a personal connection and admiration for the playwright. The “labor of an age in pilèd stones” refers to grand structures like pyramids or mausoleums, implying that such efforts are unnecessary for Shakespeare’s legacy.
Lines 3-4: The Inadequacy of Traditional Memorials
Or that his hallowed relics should be hid
Under a star-y-pointing pyramid?
Milton continues his argument, questioning the need to hide Shakespeare’s “hallowed relics” (his remains) under a grand pyramid. The term “star-y-pointing” evokes the image of an ancient Egyptian pyramid, emphasizing the grandeur and futility of such a monument for Shakespeare.
Lines 5-6: Shakespeare’s Inherent Fame
Dear son of Memory, great heir of Fame,
What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name?
Milton addresses Shakespeare directly, calling him the “son of Memory” and “heir of Fame.” These epithets suggest that Shakespeare’s works have already secured his place in cultural memory and fame. The “weak witness” refers again to physical monuments, which Milton deems unnecessary and inadequate to represent Shakespeare’s true legacy.
Lines 7-8: The Living Monument of Shakespeare’s Works
Thou, in our wonder and astonishment,
Hast built thyself a live-long monument.
Here, Milton introduces the central idea of the poem: Shakespeare has created his own eternal monument through his works. The “live-long monument” refers to the lasting impact of Shakespeare’s plays and poems, which continue to inspire “wonder and astonishment” in readers and audiences.
Lines 9-10: The Effortless Genius of Shakespeare
For whilst, to the shame of slow-endeavoring art,
Thy easy numbers flow, and that each heart
Milton contrasts Shakespeare’s natural genius with the “slow-endeavoring art” of other writers. The phrase “easy numbers flow” suggests that Shakespeare’s verses came effortlessly, shaming those who struggle to create art. “Each heart” implies the universal appeal of Shakespeare’s works.
Lines 11-12: The Profound Impact of Shakespeare’s Writing
Hath, from the leaves of thy unvalued book,
Those Delphic lines with deep impression took,
The “unvalued book” refers to the First Folio of Shakespeare’s works, published in 1623. John Milton compares Shakespeare’s lines to the oracles of Delphi, suggesting their prophetic and profound nature. The “deep impression” emphasizes the lasting impact of Shakespeare’s words on readers.
Lines 13-14: The Transformative Power of Shakespeare’s Art
Then thou, our fancy of itself bereaving,
Dost make us marble with too much conceiving;
Milton describes the overwhelming effect of Shakespeare’s works on the imagination (“fancy”). The phrase “make us marble” suggests that readers are rendered speechless or frozen in awe by the power of Shakespeare’s words.
Lines 15-16: The Ultimate Tribute to Shakespeare’s Legacy
And so sepúlchred in such pomp dost lie,
That kings for such a tomb would wish to die.
The poem concludes with a powerful image: Shakespeare’s true tomb is his body of work, which is so magnificent that even kings would envy it. This final couplet reinforces the idea that Shakespeare’s literary legacy surpasses any physical monument.
Themes and Literary Devices
- Immortality through Art: The central theme of the poem is that true immortality is achieved through artistic creation rather than physical monuments.
- The Power of Words: Milton emphasizes the enduring impact of Shakespeare’s language on readers and audiences.
- Contrast: The poem contrasts physical monuments with the lasting legacy of Shakespeare’s works.
- Classical Allusions: References to pyramids and Delphic oracles connect Shakespeare to ancient traditions of greatness.
- Metaphor: Shakespeare’s works are metaphorically described as a “live-long monument” and a magnificent tomb.
- Rhetorical Questions: The poem opens with rhetorical questions that set up its central argument.
- Personification: Fame and Memory are personified as Shakespeare’s parent and inheritance.
- Hyperbole: The final lines use hyperbole to emphasize Shakespeare’s greatness.
Historical Context
Milton wrote “On Shakespeare” in 1630, fourteen years after Shakespeare’s death. It was published in the Second Folio of Shakespeare’s works in 1632, serving as a commendatory poem. This was a time when Shakespeare’s reputation was growing, and his works were being collected and preserved for posterity.
The poem reflects the Renaissance humanist tradition of honoring great writers and thinkers. By comparing Shakespeare to classical figures and emphasizing the power of his art, Milton places him in the pantheon of timeless literary giants.
Milton’s Relationship to Shakespeare
John Milton (1608-1674) was born when Shakespeare was still alive and writing. Although they never met, Shakespeare’s influence on Milton was profound. “On Shakespeare” is not just a tribute but also a reflection of Milton’s own literary ambitions. By praising Shakespeare’s ability to create a “live-long monument” through his works, Milton hints at his own desire for literary immortality.
Milton’s admiration for the bard in On Shakespeare is evident in the possessive “my Shakespeare” at the beginning of the poem, suggesting a personal connection to the Bard’s legacy. This relationship between two of England’s greatest poets offers a fascinating glimpse into the continuity of literary tradition.
Significance and Legacy
“On Shakespeare” is significant not only as a tribute from one great poet to another but also as a statement about the nature of artistic legacy. Milton’s argument that true immortality comes through art rather than physical monuments has resonated through the centuries.
The poem has become an important part of both Shakespeare and Milton scholarship, offering insights into how Shakespeare was perceived by his near-contemporaries and how his works influenced subsequent generations of writers.
Conclusion
John Milton’s “On Shakespeare” is a masterful tribute prescribed 12th RBSE that goes beyond mere praise to explore profound ideas about art, legacy, and immortality. Through its carefully crafted lines, John Milton not only honors Shakespeare but also reflects on the power of literature to transcend time and physical monuments. This poem continues to be studied and admired, serving as a testament to both Shakespeare’s enduring influence and Milton’s poetic skill.
As you study this poem, consider how its themes relate to our modern understanding of artistic legacy and cultural memory. How do we honor great artists today, and how might Milton’s ideas still be relevant in our digital age? Reflecting on these questions can deepen your appreciation of both Milton’s poem and Shakespeare’s lasting impact on literature and culture.
