I once attended a reading by Richard Wilbur. Asked what poets had influenced him the most, he replied: "Frost, and of course Milton." Noticing the somewhat bewildered look on some faces at the mention of the latter name, he added "for the sound."
Milton does offer us an unsurpassed sonority; there is no better poet to train the ear. I suspect that as we resist the onslaught of AI, increasing attention will be paid to the artistry of sound, both in poetry and prose.
BTW, loved your reference to Michael Foot, who was indeed a fine writer. Thanks again for a stimulating article.
Scarily, though, the first draft of that verse translation of 10 lines of Milton’s Latin was generated by … AI! It told me it had chosen heroic couplets to match Milton’s alternating hexameters and pentameters. In checking and polishing, I had to point out that the abab form (which admittedly works well) is not heroic couplet!
‘did‘ PL books 4 & 9 for A level in the mid 60s - loved it. Followed that up at uni a year later (that and Shakespeare all I enjoyed of English degree)
Interestingly, books 1 & 2 were part of my English Literature O level in the mid 50s. Enough of that stayed with me into my latter years to help illuminate the subtext of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.
Great post. I think it was Milton who wrote one of my favourite sayings: ‘New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ large.’ It’s in a piece called ‘On the New Forcers of Conscience under the Long Parliament’. Both phrase and poem feel very relevant now.
A most enjoyable review of Milton.
I once attended a reading by Richard Wilbur. Asked what poets had influenced him the most, he replied: "Frost, and of course Milton." Noticing the somewhat bewildered look on some faces at the mention of the latter name, he added "for the sound."
Milton does offer us an unsurpassed sonority; there is no better poet to train the ear. I suspect that as we resist the onslaught of AI, increasing attention will be paid to the artistry of sound, both in poetry and prose.
BTW, loved your reference to Michael Foot, who was indeed a fine writer. Thanks again for a stimulating article.
Scarily, though, the first draft of that verse translation of 10 lines of Milton’s Latin was generated by … AI! It told me it had chosen heroic couplets to match Milton’s alternating hexameters and pentameters. In checking and polishing, I had to point out that the abab form (which admittedly works well) is not heroic couplet!
Wow! I hope AI apologized for its gaffe.
‘did‘ PL books 4 & 9 for A level in the mid 60s - loved it. Followed that up at uni a year later (that and Shakespeare all I enjoyed of English degree)
Interestingly, books 1 & 2 were part of my English Literature O level in the mid 50s. Enough of that stayed with me into my latter years to help illuminate the subtext of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park.
Great post. I think it was Milton who wrote one of my favourite sayings: ‘New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ large.’ It’s in a piece called ‘On the New Forcers of Conscience under the Long Parliament’. Both phrase and poem feel very relevant now.