7. Lycidas (cont.)

Milton (ENGL 220)

In this second lecture on "Lycidas," moments of intrusion and revelation are closely examined. Saint Peter's protracted sermon is connected with the wider context of Puritan practices and controversies. The poem's tendency to suggest pairs and substitutions is duly noted. Finally, its conclusion is read as a triumphant moment in the young Milton's poetry, at which point he parts with the claims of ill-preparedness and little experience that dominated the early poems and assumes instead a prophetic voice for himself akin to Isaiah's.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction: Analyzing the Beginning of "Lycidas"
03:11 - Chapter 2. The Pastoral Framework of "Lycidas"
14:00 - Chapter 3. Milton: "The Reason of Church Government"
19:36 - Chapter 4. The Dramatic Structure of "Lycidas": A Succession of Four Mourners
48:50 - Chapter 5. Milton: The Prophetic Poet?

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Fall 2007.