[Milton-L] Lycidas Query

[Carl Bellinger]

Thank you Jim, your initial email popped up just as I was about to click 'Send' with a query directed towards the same idea --could this be a self-reference.  

I was going to ask: What prose, if any, was Milton publishing at the same time or just prior to Lycidas (I'm currently moving and all in boxes and so can't look this up).  My thought was that in Lycidas, his first published poem, he is giving the world its first glimpse of what a certain "John Milton" can do when he has the use, also, of his _right_ hand.

-Carl


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: James Rovira 
  To: John Milton Discussion List 
  Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 6:54 PM
  Subject: Re: [Milton-L] Lycidas Query


  I can't make an argument for this reading at present.  I need to reread the poem and not just the immediate context of the lines in question.  "Two-handed engine" could refer to a person with two hands (he himself is metaphorically the engine), or a person using something with his/her two hands, or an object that requires two hands to use.  The question of prophetic agency is an important one, yes.  The prophet could be a direct actor, but if the prophet is faithful to his prophetic calling, he would see himself as an instrument of God.  "Two-handed engine" in this case, if spoken in reference to the prophet by himself, would mean the prophet is seeing himself as an instrument (engine, or yes, means) that God is using to accomplish his own ends.  

  Jim R


  On Sun, Nov 23, 2008 at 6:39 PM, Carl Bellinger <bcarlb at comcast.net> wrote:

    I'm hoping Mr. Rovira will share what prompted the idea that the two-handed engine might refer to the speaker?    -Carl







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