Milton’s use of language is especially rich. It will be useful if you look up words in the OED. I do so with great regularity when first trying to establish his meanings.
Here is a link to the electronic dictionary page on the Stockton Library page. If you are working off campus, you will be asked for your loki account and password.
http://intraweb.stockton.edu/eyos/page.cfm?siteID=86&pageID=25#Dictionaries
So we just had a snow day. Does that mean we can’t celebrate the approach of spring with a few readings of “Song: On May Morning”?
Below you’ll find links to four readings of Milton’s aubade.
The first is poorly done. The reading is measured but bland. It sounds like the reader (me) has no clue about the ideas the words are trying to convey.
The second is too sing-song in its style. It seems as though the reader (me again) doesn’t trust the verse, but instead rises to a height at the end of each line. But not all lines are endstopped, and when they are enjambed there should be no pause to mark line’s end. Readers should also trust the power of the rhyme. You don’t need to “ring the bell.” Just read naturally; the rhyme will draw attention to itself.
The third reading may not be spectacular (or even very good), but it’s better than the first two. I’m trying to allow free reign to the verse and to emphasize where punctuation and overall meaning suggest emphasis.
The final reading is by a guest reader. Some of you will know him by his voice.
On May Morning bland: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download On May Morning sing song: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download On May Morning better: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
On May Morning, Guest Reader: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download Colin's Reading: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadAlright then. Turns out that south Jersey gets snow after all. If you consult the Stockton homepage you will see that classes are cancelled tonight, Thursday January 24th starting at 6 pm. That means Milton will not meet. I’m sorry about this. Please reread “Song: On May Morning” and “On the Death of a Fair Infant Dying of a Cought.” You might as well go on to the Nativity Ode as well (that is “On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity”).
Enjoy.
During the Spring 2008 semester, class participants in Litt 3106, will be reading and discussing a great deal of John Milton’s poetry. We will bump into some of his prose, but it is his verse that we will concentrate on.
Milton’s verse is wonderful, full of allusive meanings and subtle beauty. We will be reading quite a bit aloud. I hope you enjoy it.