The Rage of St. Peter in Milton's "Lycidas"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Milton's poem as it is broken up into five sections -the introduction in which Milton discusses his reluctance to write a poem before he is mature; a lament for the death of Lycidas and the fear that Milton himself will die before his work is completed; an attack against the Anglican clergy; a transitional interlude beautifully describing different flowers and a description of Lycidas' resurrection and entrance to heaven.

From the Paper:

"Here, then, is the third world of "Lycidas" in which the natural world is filled with Christian imperatives. Milton writes of St. Peter's visit to Lycidas' body, where he progresses from lamenting the death of a good priest to denouncing the bad clergy using the pastoral image of the shepherd as a spiritual leader or poet-priest of his flock, or his congregation. Coupled with references to Lycidas and his companions as shepherds, the leaders of a Christian flock, St. Peter connects Lycidas with biblical connotations of the Lord as shepherd. Clearly, this scene reflects Milton's despair over the loss of King, for the death of such a pastoral singer is not only the destruction of a poet but also the death of a priest. While Lycidas had faithfully performed his pastoral duties and, as a result, created balance and harmony, St. Peter warns us of the impending wrath of a just God."

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