Welcome to Poem of the Day – On His Deceased Wife by John Milton.
On His Deceased Wife is a poignant and reflective poem written by John Milton, the renowned English poet. Composed in 1658, the poem was written in the aftermath of the death of Milton’s second wife, Mary Powell. It is a deeply emotional work, one that captures the grief, sorrow, and mourning Milton felt at losing his beloved wife. Unlike some of his more public works, this poem is intensely personal and private, revealing the inner turmoil of the poet as he grapples with the loss of someone dear. The poem is often considered an elegy, as it honors the memory of the deceased while also expressing the poet’s sorrow.
His Deceased Wife Poem
Me thought I saw my late espousèd Saint
Brought to me like Alcestis from the grave,
Whom Joves great Son to her glad Husband gave,
Rescu’d from death by force though pale and faint.
Mine as whom washt from spot of child-bed taint,
Purification in the old Law did save,
And such, as yet once more I trust to have
Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint,
Came vested all in white, pure as her mind:
Her face was vail’d, yet to my fancied sight,
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin’d
So clear, as in no face with more delight.
But O as to embrace me she enclin’d
I wak’d, she fled, and day brought back my night.
On His Deceased Wife Poem Explanation
The poem begins with a direct address to the speaker’s late wife, who is now gone. Milton reflects on the love and joy they once shared, recognizing that her death has left an irreparable void. He speaks of her virtues, describing how her memory is still cherished in his heart, even though she is no longer physically present. Despite the depth of his sorrow, Milton also acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, and that his wife is now in a better place.
The poem conveys the speaker’s struggle between profound sorrow and acceptance. Milton’s grief is overwhelming, yet he attempts to reconcile with the idea that death is part of a larger, divine order. He expresses his belief that his wife’s soul is in heaven, finding peace and eternal rest. The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life, recognizing the transitory nature of human existence and the inevitability of death. There is a sense of longing throughout the poem, as the speaker wishes for one last moment with his wife but ultimately finds solace in the idea of her being in a better place.
In the later stanzas, Milton begins to make peace with his loss. He reflects on the love they shared, seeing it as a bond that transcends death. The poet’s sorrow is tempered by the hope that his wife’s soul has found peace and eternal happiness. This idea provides some comfort to the speaker, who knows that the separation, though painful, is only temporary in the grand scheme of life and death.
Structure and Form
On His Deceased Wife is a sonnet, a poetic form that is traditionally used to express love, loss, and reflection. The poem adheres to the Italian or Petrarchan sonnet structure, consisting of 14 lines divided into two parts: an eight-line octave and a six-line sestet. The rhyme scheme of the poem follows the traditional ABBAABBA pattern for the octave, and the sestet follows either CDECDE or CDCDCD.
The poem’s structure is crucial to its meaning. The first eight lines, or the octave, focus on the speaker’s sorrow and grief over his wife’s death. This section sets the emotional tone of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the loss of someone who was once dear to him. The final six lines, or sestet, move towards a resolution. Here, Milton begins to reconcile his grief, finding some comfort in the belief that his wife’s soul is at peace.
The form of the sonnet allows the speaker to express both the depth of his sorrow and his acceptance of the inevitable. The division between the octave and the sestet mirrors the transition from sorrow to acceptance, as the poem moves from grief toward a more peaceful reflection on death and the afterlife.
Detailed Explanation of Major Elements
Imagery:
The imagery in On His Deceased Wife is both personal and profound. Milton creates a vivid contrast between life and death. Early in the poem, he evokes images of love and joy shared between the speaker and his wife. These images are grounded in the earthly experience of marriage. However, as the poem progresses, the imagery shifts to a more spiritual realm, focusing on the soul’s journey after death. Phrases such as “her soul” and “heavenly bliss” convey the idea that the speaker’s wife has transcended the physical world, reaching a place of peace and happiness.
Tone:
The tone of the poem shifts between sorrow and acceptance. In the beginning, the speaker is deeply mournful, lamenting the loss of his wife and expressing the pain of separation. However, the tone changes toward the end, as the speaker expresses hope and comfort in the belief that his wife’s soul is at peace. The final tone is one of calm reflection, as the speaker comes to terms with his grief and embraces the idea of a spiritual reunion in the afterlife.
Themes:
The central theme of On His Deceased Wife is the grief and sorrow that accompany the loss of a loved one. However, the poem also explores themes of divine providence and acceptance. Milton suggests that, while death is painful, it is part of a larger, divinely ordained plan. The theme of eternal love is also significant, as the speaker reflects on the idea that love transcends death and that the bond between husband and wife will remain, even in the afterlife.
Religious and Spiritual Reflection:
The poem’s religious undertones are apparent throughout. Milton frequently references the spiritual realm, implying that death is not an end but a transition to a better, heavenly existence. This religious perspective offers comfort to the grieving speaker, suggesting that his wife’s soul is now at rest in paradise. Milton’s Christian worldview shapes his understanding of death, providing him with the solace to accept his loss and find peace in the belief of an eternal reunion.
Conclusion
On His Deceased Wife is a heartfelt elegy that explores the complexities of grief, acceptance, and spiritual reflection. Through vivid imagery, a sonnet structure, and religious themes, Milton expresses both the depth of his sorrow and the eventual comfort that comes with the belief in the afterlife. The poem shows the personal anguish of losing a loved one, while also providing a sense of hope and reconciliation. By the end of the poem, the speaker comes to terms with his wife’s death, finding solace in the idea that she has found peace in heaven and that their love endures beyond the grave.
