Title: Discuss What Impact John Milton Had on William Wordsworth with Reference to:

“Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood,” “The

Prelude,” “The World is Too Much with us,” “Lines Composed upon Westminster
Bridge,” and “London”

Submitted To: Ms. Gul Rukh Khattak

Submitted By: Raza Ullah
Class No: 200021
Course: Poetry -II
Date: June19, 2023

DEPAERTMENT OF ENGLISH
ISLAMIA COLLEGE UNIVERSITY, PESHAWAR

John Milton was born on December 9, 1608, in England. He was a renowned English poet,
historian, civil servant for the Commonwealth, and pamphleteer. After William Shakespeare, he
is considered to be one of the great writers in England. He was a prominent author during a time
of political and religious instability. In contrast, William Wordsworth was born in 1770 in
England. He was also an English poet, a key figure of Romanticism, and the author of the most
famous poem ever written about daffodils. He, along with his friend, Samuel Taylor Coleridge,
invented a new kind of poetry in which nature and the diction of the common man predominated.
The historical, political, and social contexts in which John Milton and William Wordsworth lived
were distinct. While both poets valued individual freedom, their experiences and perspectives
were influenced by the historical events and intellectual currents of their respective eras. Milton's
writings were influenced by the English Civil War and his dedication to republicanism and
religious freedom, whereas Wordsworth's poetry reflected the Romantic reaction against
industrialization and his profound connection to nature. Milton's impact on Wordsworth can be
discerned in several of his notable works, such as "Ode on Intimations of Immortality from
Recollections of Early Childhood," "The Prelude," "The World Is Too Much with Us," "Lines
Composed upon Westminster Bridge," and "London." The purpose of this essay is to describe the
impact of Milton on Wordsworth with reference to the poems mentioned above.

John Milton (1608-1674) lived during the turbulent English Civil War (1642-1651). This
war was primarily a conflict between the royalists supporting King Charles I and the
parliamentarians advocating for a more representative government. He was an ardent supporter
of the Commonwealth. He served as a government official under Oliver Cromwell's Puritan
regime, which emerged after the execution of Charles I in 1649. Furthermore, Milton lived in a
society deeply influenced by religious and political strife. He witnessed the overthrow of the
monarchy, the establishment of a republican government, and the rise of Puritanism as a
dominant force. His epic poem "Paradise Lost" reflects his religious and political beliefs,
exploring themes of rebellion, liberty, and the nature of evil. On the other hand, William
Wordsworth (1770-1850) lived during the Romantic era, a period characterized by a shift in
artistic and intellectual sensibilities. This era emerged in response to the Enlightenment's
emphasis on reason and science, seeking to reconnect with nature and express the subjective
experiences of individuals. It was also a time of political and social transformation, including the
French Revolution and its aftermath. Initially, he was sympathetic to the French Revolution's
ideals of liberty and equality, but he later became disillusioned with its violent turn and shifted
towards a more conservative stance. Wordsworth witnessed the Industrial Revolution and its
consequences, including urbanization, social inequality, and environmental degradation. His
poetry often emphasized the beauty of nature, the importance of imagination, and the need for
spiritual and moral renewal in response to the alienating effects of industrialization.

Wordsworth's poem "Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early

Childhood" exemplifies the influence of Milton on his work, both in terms of political and
spiritual themes. Firstly, Milton's political impact on Wordsworth can be seen in the ode's
exploration of the loss of innocence and the corruption of the natural world. In Paradise Lost,
Milton presents a similar theme, depicting the fall of mankind from a state of perfection to a
corrupted and fallen world. Wordsworth, in his ode, echoes this sentiment, lamenting the loss of
the child's vision of an ideal and harmonious universe. He writes:

"Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home:

Heaven lies about us in our infancy!"

Here, Wordsworth suggests that the soul's connection to the divine is obscured as it enters the
material world. This idea of a fallen state and the longing for a return to a more spiritual
existence can be seen as influenced by Milton's portrayal of humanity's fall from grace.
Secondly, Milton's spiritual impact on Wordsworth is evident throughout the ode, particularly in
the exploration of the transcendent and eternal nature of the human soul. Milton's religious
beliefs, expressed in works like Paradise Lost, emphasized the idea of divine providence and the
eternal nature of the soul. Wordsworth, too, follows similar themes in his ode. He contemplates
on the child's intuitive connection to a higher realm and the gradual fading with time:

"But there's a Tree, of many, one,

A single Field which I have looked upon,

Both of them speak of something that is gone:

The Pansy at my feet

Doth the same tale repeat:

Whither is fled the visionary gleam?

Where is it now, the glory and the dream?"

 Milton's influence on William Wordsworth is also evident in his autobiographical poem,
"The Prelude." Throughout the poem, Milton's impact on Wordsworth can be observed in
various aspects, including political, social, and spiritual themes and his stylistics. Milton's
political views, particularly his advocacy for liberty and opposition to tyranny, had a significant
impact on Wordsworth's own political ideology. In Book 9 of "The Prelude," Wordsworth
discusses the influence of Milton's writings, specifically his poem "Paradise Lost," on his
political consciousness. He writes:

"Great Milton's theme,

The intellectual Being, in his soul,

Loved power for its own sake."

Here, Wordsworth acknowledges the profound effect Milton's writings had on his understanding
of power and its relationship to the human soul. Milton's emphasis on the individual's quest for
freedom and the resistance against oppressive authority resonated with Wordsworth, shaping his
own political beliefs. Furthermore, Milton's role as a social and political commentator also
influenced Wordsworth's perception of society. In Book 7 of "The Prelude," Wordsworth
describes his encounter with Milton's works, highlighting their impact on his social awareness.
He states:

"I read

Milton's 'Paradise,' and read it walking

In the small track betwixt the garden-wall

And shrubby border, now and then amazed

By new-found words, and overshadowing sense

Of unknown modes of being."

Wordsworth's exposure to Milton's poetry expanded his understanding of the world and human
existence. Milton's ability to convey complex ideas and his exploration of moral and ethical
dilemmas inspired Wordsworth to reflect upon societal issues and to use his own poetry as a
means of social commentary.

Milton's profound spiritual vision and his exploration of religious themes deeply
influenced Wordsworth's spiritual beliefs. In Book 6 of "The Prelude," Wordsworth discusses his
encounter with Milton's religious epic "Paradise Lost" and the impact it had on his spiritual
development. He writes:
"He above the rest

In shape and gesture proudly eminent

Stood like a tower. His form had not yet lost

All her original brightness, nor appeared

Less than Archangel ruined, and the excess

Of glory obscured."

Wordsworth's description of Milton as an archangel suggests the reverence and admiration he

felt for Milton's spiritual insight and poetic prowess. Milton's exploration of divine themes and
his portrayal of the struggle between good and evil resonated with Wordsworth, shaping his own
spiritual and philosophical reflections in his poetry. Stylistically, Milton's influence on
Wordsworth is also notable. Milton's mastery of blank verse, a form of unrhymed iambic
pentameter, influenced Wordsworth's poetic style, particularly in "The Prelude." Both poets
employ a rhythmic and elevated language to create a sense of grandeur and importance in their
works. This shared poetic style contributes to the timeless quality of their writings and their
enduring impact on English literature.

The impact of John Milton can be observed in Wordsworth's poem "The World is Too
Much with us." This sonnet reflects Wordsworth's disillusionment with the materialistic and
industrial world of his time, and there are several references and influences that can be attributed
to Milton. In "The World is Too Much with us," Wordsworth criticizes the materialistic values of
society, which can be seen as a reflection of Milton's own criticism of the corrupt political and
social institutions of his time. In the opening lines of the poem, Wordsworth laments,

"The world is too much with us; late and soon,

Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers."

This can be seen as a rejection of the materialistic world, reminiscent of Milton's criticism of the
corruption and greed of his time. Furthermore, both Milton and Wordsworth were concerned
with the moral and social implications of their respective eras. Wordsworth, inspired by Milton's
emphasis on individualism and the power of the human imagination, sought to create poetry that
would reconnect humanity with nature and restore the spiritual and moral aspects of life. In "The
World is Too Much with us," Wordsworth expresses his desire for a return to a more natural and
spiritual existence, distancing himself from the shallow materialism prevalent in society. This
sentiment can be seen as a response to Milton's ideas of social and moral regeneration. Apart
from this, Milton's religious beliefs, particularly his Puritan background, heavily influenced his
writings. Wordsworth, while not overtly religious, shared a similar belief in the transcendent
power of nature and the spiritual potential of humanity. In "The World is Too Much with us,"
Wordsworth yearns for a deeper connection with nature and a return to a more spiritual
understanding of the world. This echoes Milton's portrayal of the divine in nature and the
exploration of spiritual themes in his works. He says:

"Great God! I'd rather be

A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn."

Here, he suggests a desire to return to a more primal and natural spirituality, similar to the
themes explored by Milton in his works.

"Lines Composed upon Westminster Bridge" showcases Wordsworth's engagement with

the urban environment and its impact on the human experience. These poems reflect Milton's
exploration of the tension between the natural and the artificial, highlighting the beauty and
sublime qualities of the natural world in contrast to the often harsh and oppressive urban
landscapes. Wordsworth says:

"This City now doth, like a garment, wear

The beauty of the morning" (Lines 5-6)

These lines reflect Wordsworth's ability to find beauty and awe even in the heart of a bustling
city, akin to Milton's portrayal of the juxtaposition between nature and human constructs. Both
poets seek to elevate and celebrate the natural world and its profound impact on human emotions
and spirituality. Furthermore, Milton's religious background and his exploration of spiritual
themes are reflected in this poem. Despite its urban setting, "Composed upon Westminster
Bridge" evokes a sense of spiritual elevation and a connection to a higher power. This spiritual
undercurrent can be seen as a shared sentiment with Milton's emphasis on the divine presence in
the world.

In the poem "To Milton," William Wordsworth expresses the impact that John Milton
had on him as a poet and thinker. Wordsworth, in "To Milton," praises Milton's ability to harness
the power of imagination and use it to create vivid and transformative poetry. This emphasis on
the imagination as a creative force aligns with Wordsworth's own belief in the transformative
power of the human mind and its connection to nature. Wordsworth echoes Milton's engagement
with the natural world and the sublime. In "To Milton," Wordsworth describes Milton as one
who "dwelt with the Elements," suggesting that Milton's poetry, like Wordsworth's, was deeply
rooted in nature and drew inspiration from its awe-inspiring beauty and power. Furthermore,
Wordsworth acknowledges Milton's political and social vision in "To Milton," expressing his
appreciation for Milton's commitment to liberty, freedom of thought, and resistance against
tyranny. Wordsworth says:
 Oh! Raise us up, return to us again

And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.

This aligns with Wordsworth's own engagement with political and social issues, as seen
in his poems that address the impact of industrialization and societal inequalities. While "To
Milton" primarily serves as a tribute to Milton's genius and influence, it also reveals some of the
ways in which Milton's themes and ideas resonated with Wordsworth and left an impact on his
own poetry.

In short, Milton's influence on Wordsworth is undeniable, as evidenced in his poems

"Ode on Intimations of Immortality," "The Prelude," "The World Is Too Much with Us," "Lines
Composed upon Westminster Bridge," and "London." Through shared themes of spirituality,
nature, societal and political critique, and poetic techniques, Milton's impact shaped
Wordsworth's poetic vision and contributed to his enduring literary legacy. The references from
the poems provide concrete examples of the profound influence Milton had on Wordsworth's
work.