On Shakespeare by John Milton | On Shakespeare. 1630 | On Shakespeare | John Milton | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
On Shakespeare. 1630
What needs my Shakespeare for his honoured bones,
The labor of an age in pilèd stones,
Or that his hallowed relics should be hid
Under a star-ypointing 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 th’ shame of slow-endeavouring 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.
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On Shakespeare by John Milton Analysis
Line 1: What needs my Shakespeare for his honoured bones,
Explanation: Milton is asking what kind of monument Shakespeare needs for his remains. He is using the word “honoured” to emphasize Shakespeare’s greatness and importance.
Line 2: The labor of an age in pilèd stones,
Explanation: Milton is suggesting that Shakespeare does not need an elaborate physical memorial, because his work is his own best monument. He is also using the image of “piled stones” to suggest that physical monuments are temporary and will eventually decay.
Line 3: Or that his hallowed relics should be hid
Explanation: Milton is continuing to argue that Shakespeare does not need a physical memorial. He is using the word “hallowed” to emphasize Shakespeare’s sacredness and importance.
Line 4: Under a star-ypointing pyramid?
Explanation: Milton is using the image of a pyramid to represent a grand and elaborate monument. He is suggesting that Shakespeare does not need such a monument, because his work is more enduring than any physical structure.
Line 5: Dear son of Memory, great heir of fame,
Explanation: Milton is praising Shakespeare’s talent and legacy. He is calling Shakespeare the “son of Memory” because his work will be remembered for generations to come. He is also calling Shakespeare the “great heir of fame” because he has achieved great fame and recognition.
Line 6: What need’st thou such weak witness of thy name?
Explanation: Milton is asking why Shakespeare would need a physical memorial, when his work is so great that it will ensure that his name is remembered forever.
Line 7: Thou in our wonder and astonishment
Explanation: Milton is saying that Shakespeare’s work is so powerful that it amazes and astonishes his readers. He is using the words “wonder” and “astonishment” to convey the sense of awe and amazement that Shakespeare’s work inspires.
Line 8: Hast built thyself a live-long monument.
Explanation: Milton is saying that Shakespeare’s work is his own best monument, because it will ensure that his name is remembered and celebrated for generations to come. He is using the word “live-long” to emphasize the enduring nature of Shakespeare’s work.
Line 9: For whilst to th’ shame of slow-endeavouring art,
Explanation: Milton is criticizing the slow and laborious process of creating physical monuments. He is using the word “shame” to emphasize his disapproval.
Line 10: Thy easy numbers flow, and that each heart
Explanation: Milton is praising the ease and fluency of Shakespeare’s writing. He is using the word “easy” to suggest that Shakespeare’s writing is effortless, even though it is incredibly beautiful and complex.
Line 11: Hath from the leaves of thy unvalued book
Explanation: Milton is praising the value of Shakespeare’s work. He is using the word “unvalued” to emphasize its priceless nature.
Line 12: Those Delphic lines with deep impression took,
Explanation: Milton is comparing Shakespeare’s poetry to the prophecies of the Oracle of Delphi, which were believed to be sacred and prophetic. He is suggesting that Shakespeare’s work has a similar profound impact on its readers.
Line 13: Then thou, our fancy of itself bereaving,
Explanation: Milton is saying that Shakespeare’s poetry is so powerful that it can overwhelm and astound his readers. He is using the word “bereaving” to suggest that Shakespeare’s poetry takes away his readers’ ability to think for themselves.
Line 14: Dost make us marble with too much conceiving;
Explanation: Milton is using a metaphor to describe the way that Shakespeare’s poetry can overwhelm and astound his readers. He is suggesting that Shakespeare’s poetry turns his readers into statues, because they are so captivated by its beauty and complexity.
Line 15: And so sepúlchred in such pomp dost lie,
Explanation: Milton is saying that Shakespeare’s tomb is his own poetry. He is using the word “sepúlchred” to suggest that Shakespeare’s poetry is like a monument that will preserve his legacy for generations to come.
Line 16: That kings for such a tomb would wish to die.
Explanation: Milton is suggesting that Shakespeare’s poetry is so great that even kings would wish to be buried in it. He is using the word “die” to emphasize the enduring nature of Shakespeare’s work.
