Death and Mortality Through the Research Paper

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He also feels that in his work, he is reminded of his own mortality, and fleeting time here on Earth. He strives to accomplish much with the talent he possesses. Milton's use of the line, "They also serve who only stand and wait." (Milton, 14) shows that standing idle and waiting for death and the inevitable extinguishing of one's talents and senses is something that must be avoided. This line also shows Milton's concern for impending events and the unrelenting nature of death and mortality themselves.

Milton's Sonnet XXIII, entitled, "On His Deceased Wife" also deals with death quite directly. The poet works to paint an image of a loving, sweet wife who returned from the grave to greet him in his dreams. But, just as he goes to embrace her, she disappears. Milton writes,

"Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,

Came vested all in white, pure as her mind:

Her face was veil'd;5 yet to my fancied sight

Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd

So clear, as in no face with more delight. (Milton, 8-12)

This melancholy picture is created as a sort of reminded that death has taken his wife yet he can still visit her in his dreams. In this way, metaphorically, the wife has not truly "died," but instead can be resurrected or remembered at any given time in his dreams. This is a sad lament for a lover long gone, yet Milton is able to touch upon the fact that this woman was able to bring so much light and joy in her life, and therefore in visiting him in his dream, reminded him of his own light and his own love for her.

Comus is a story that Milton wrote as a sort of lesson to all people that those who prevail over personal and moral trials will ultimately receive a reward for their actions.

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In the story, Comus kidnaps the Lady and subjects her to torment, asking her to drink from the metaphorical cup of debauchery and intemperance. When she refuses, and after her brothers find her, she is put upon a pedestal to all Christians as an example of chastity and virtuousness. The Lady, as Milton writes, will receive a handsome reward for her steadfast virtue. This story is as much of a social commentary on women and Christianity as it is on virtuosity and chastity. Milton's constantly reminding the reader that mortality will eventually creep up on everyone, and that people who have their lives in order and who exercise recta ratio (right reason) will be rewarded in the afterlife. Here Milton again explores the theme of death.

All three of these works present a melancholy sort of picture regarding death and mortality. Milton's own sense of accomplishment vs. his mortality likely pushed him to use his talents to explore this and other realms of humanity that are often misunderstood. His own personal relationships with King Edward as well as his late wife have given Milton the perspective and experience needed to accurately and adequately lament as well as celebrate their lives. He also highlights the fleeting nature of life and love and reminds his readers that mortality cannot be overcome, even if you are a King, and nature herself questions whether or not her own forces should be allowed to swallow up such a bright, larger than life character. Even in Comus, Milton uses the lessons of chastity and honorable decisions to remind the reader that death is never far off, and that those who are right with….....

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