'Milton's Minor Poems' Summary

This collection explores the lesser-known poems of John Milton, offering a glimpse into the genius behind *Paradise Lost*. It features works like the sonnet "On Shakespeare", a witty and audacious response to Ben Jonson's praise of the Bard. Milton's satirical flair shines in his epitaph on the Cambridge coach driver, Hobson, where he playfully mocks the conventions of metaphysical poetry. The collection also includes poignant elegies like "Lycidas", a pastoral lament that showcases Milton's mastery of form and his ability to evoke deeply personal emotions. These poems reveal Milton's versatility, his keen intellect, and his willingness to challenge literary norms, paving the way for his later, more ambitious works.