Summary:
Lycidas is a pastoral elegy written by John Milton in memory of his friend Edward King, who drowned at sea. The poem is a tribute to King, exploring themes of death, mourning, and the futility of earthly pursuits. Milton uses the pastoral form, a poetic genre that idealizes rural life and shepherds, to contrast the life of the poet with the transient nature of fame and fortune. The poem addresses the role of poets and the divine, presenting the idea of divine justice and the eternal rewards of virtue. Throughout, Milton laments the untimely death of his friend but also expresses faith in God’s purpose and a belief in eternal life.
MCQs:
- Who is the poem Lycidas written for?
a) John Milton
b) Edward King
c) William Shakespeare
d) Samuel Johnson
Answer: b) Edward King - What is the main theme of Lycidas?
a) The pursuit of fame
b) The beauty of nature
c) The transience of life and death
d) The role of government in society
Answer: c) The transience of life and death - What literary form does Lycidas follow?
a) Epic poem
b) Sonnet
c) Pastoral elegy
d) Lyric poem
Answer: c) Pastoral elegy
Lycidas - Who is the speaker in Lycidas?
a) Edward King
b) John Milton
c) A shepherd
d) A Greek god
Answer: b) John Milton - What event does Lycidas mourn?
a) The death of a hero
b) The loss of a love
c) The drowning of Edward King
d) The destruction of a city
Answer: c) The drowning of Edward King - What does the speaker in Lycidas criticize?
a) The fame of corrupt poets
b) The corruption of politics
c) The pursuit of material wealth
d) The selfishness of individuals
Answer: a) The fame of corrupt poets - In Lycidas, who is the “guardian angel” of the poet?
a) Apollo
b) The Muses
c) Saint Peter
d) The Holy Spirit
Answer: c) Saint Peter - Which of the following is a famous line from Lycidas?
a) “For the bright day that brings back the night”
b) “Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise”
c) “A thousand years in thy sight are like yesterday when it is past”
d) “The death of a friend is the death of a part of ourselves”
Answer: b) “Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise” - What is the tone of the poem Lycidas?
a) Joyful and celebratory
b) Angry and rebellious
c) Reflective and mournful
d) Cynical and sarcastic
Answer: c) Reflective and mournful - Which literary device is most prominently used in Lycidas?
a) Allegory
b) Metaphor
c) Irony
d) Personification
Answer: b) Metaphor
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | Lycidas |
| Author | John Milton |
| Year Written | 1637 |
| Year Published | 1638 |
| Poem Type | Pastoral Elegy |
| Verse Form | Iambic Pentameter |
| Main Character | John Milton (speaker), Edward King (deceased) |
| Themes | Death, Mournful Reflection, Eternal Life, Divine Justice |
| Setting | The pastoral landscape, rural England |
| Main Conflict | The death of Edward King and the poet’s mourning |
| Famous Quote | “Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise” |
| Structure | Written in blank verse with elegiac and pastoral elements |
| Legacy | One of Milton’s best-known works, famous for its elegiac tone and philosophical depth |