Unlock Excellence: Master On Shakespear by John Milton and elevate your Class 12 English Literature scores with our detailed guide! Explore a full summary that explains the poem’s main ideas. These include themes like mortality, legacy, artistic genius, and envy. Explore a line-by-line explanation to understand poetic devices and symbolism. Clarify complex vocabulary with our word meanings section. Tackle both NCERT and extra questions with confidence using our carefully crafted answers. Plus, access summaries in Hindi and Urdu for a deeper understanding. Finally, boost your exam preparation with 20 expertly designed multiple-choice questions.
- Summary of On Shakespear by John Milton
- Important Themes in On Shakespear by John Milton
- Line by Line Explanation of On Shakespear by John Milton
- Words Meaning of On Shakespear by John Milton
- On Shakespear by Milton Questions and Answers
- Extra Questions and Answers from On Shakespear by Milton
- On Shakespear by Milton Summary in Hindi
- On Shakespear by Milton Summary in Urdu
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on “On Shakespeare” by John Milton
Summary of On Shakespear by John Milton
Shakespeare’s Immortality
John Milton’s poem, On Shakespear. 1630, praises William Shakespeare‘s everlasting fame. He says that Shakespeare doesn’t need grand statues or monuments. His words alone are enough to keep his memory alive forever.
A Tribute to Talent
Milton honours Shakespeare’s unmatched skill with language. He compares Shakespeare to great poets like Homer and Virgil. This shows how deeply Milton respects Shakespeare’s ability to move and inspire.
Art That Lives On
Milton explains that Shakespeare’s works touch the soul. His plays and poems bring joy and sorrow in ways that feel real. This emotional power makes his art timeless.
The Magic of Words
Shakespeare’s writing is described as magical. Milton suggests that his words, like spells, can stir emotions and capture universal truths about life.
Summary Insights
- Shakespeare’s genius needs no physical memorial.
- His art transcends time and death.
- He stands among the greatest poets in history.
- His words have the power to inspire, comfort, and transform.
This poem is an important part of Kaleidoscope, the Class 12 Elective English textbook. It provides insights into Shakespeare’s legacy, making it essential for NCERT solutions and Class 12 Poetry studies.
Important Themes in On Shakespear by John Milton
Shakespeare’s Immortal Fame
Milton declares that Shakespeare does not need a physical monument to preserve his memory. His works serve as an eternal memorial, ensuring his legacy lives on. Unlike stone or marble, which time can erode, Shakespeare’s art is timeless. His plays and poems continue to resonate with people across generations. Milton emphasizes that Shakespeare’s fame is not limited to one era. His craft transcends boundaries, making him immortal. His words are his lasting tribute, untouched by decay.
A Tribute to Genius
Milton compares Shakespeare’s talent to that of ancient poets like Homer and Virgil. This association elevates Shakespeare to the pantheon of literary greatness. Milton admires how Shakespeare could create deeply moving works with such ease, reflecting his unparalleled genius. Shakespeare’s ability to express universal truths about life and human nature is celebrated. Through this, Milton underscores the enduring significance of Shakespeare’s talent, which places him among the greatest artists of all time.
The Emotional Power of Shakespeare’s Art
Milton marvels at Shakespeare’s ability to evoke powerful emotions. His words can move readers and audiences to tears or laughter. They show the full range of the human experience. Milton believes that Shakespeare’s art reaches into the depths of the heart, offering comfort, inspiration, and joy. Shakespeare’s works have deep emotions. This keeps them important and loved even after many years. It shows he is a great storyteller.
Art That Transcends Time
Shakespeare’s writing is not limited by the constraints of time or place. Milton emphasises how his art captures universal truths, making it timeless. His themes of love, betrayal, ambition, and morality continue to resonate with readers worldwide. This timeless quality makes Shakespeare’s works enduringly significant, allowing them to speak to people from different cultures and eras. Milton’s poem celebrates this transcendence, highlighting how Shakespeare’s words outlive him and remain immortal through their universal appeal.
Main Points
- Shakespeare’s legacy is preserved through his art, not monuments.
- His talent places him among the greatest poets in history.
- His words have a unique power to move and inspire.
- Shakespeare’s themes are timeless, transcending eras and cultures.
This poem is part of Kaleidoscope in the Class 12 Elective English syllabus. It is important for NCERT solutions and Class 12 Poetry studies. It offers profound insights into Shakespeare’s enduring impact on literature.
Line by Line Explanation of On Shakespear by John Milton
“What needs my Shakespeare for his honoured bones, / The labour of an age in piled stones?”
Milton says Shakespeare does not need a grand tomb or monument to be remembered. His greatness doesn’t rely on such things.
“Or that his hallowed relics should be hid / Under a star-y-pointing pyramid?”
The poet adds that Shakespeare doesn’t need his remains buried under famous structures like pyramids.
“Dear son of Memory, great heir of Fame, / What need’st thou such weak witness of thy name?”
Milton calls Shakespeare a “son of Memory” and an heir to lasting fame. He says Shakespeare’s works are stronger proof of his greatness than any monument.
“Thou in our wonder and astonishment / Hast built thyself a livelong monument.”
Milton explains that Shakespeare’s writing has already built a lasting legacy in people’s hearts.
“For whilst to the shame of slow-endeavouring art, / Thy easy numbers flow, and that each heart / Hath from the leaves of thy unvalued book / Those Delphic lines with deep impression took;”
Milton praises Shakespeare’s effortless writing style. He says Shakespeare’s words leave a deep impact on everyone who reads them.
“Then thou, our fancy of itself bereaving, / Dost make us marble with too much conceiving;”
Milton says Shakespeare’s words are very powerful. They leave readers stunned, as if frozen by their emotions.
“And so sepulchred in such pomp dost lie, / That kings for such a tomb would wish to die.”
Milton says Shakespeare’s works are a better resting place than any king could hope for. They will keep his memory alive forever.
Words Meaning of On Shakespear by John Milton
| Word/Expression | Meaning (Simplified) |
|---|---|
| Honoured bones | Shakespeare’s remains or body after death. |
| Labour of an age | A long and difficult effort, like building monuments over many years. |
| Piled stones | Large, stacked stones, referring to monuments or tombs. |
| Hallowed relics | Sacred or holy remains of someone, here referring to Shakespeare’s body. |
| Star-y-pointing pyramid | A tall, pointed monument like the Egyptian pyramids, symbolising greatness. |
| Son of Memory | A person remembered for all time; Shakespeare is called this for his unforgettable works. |
| Great heir of Fame | Someone who inherits eternal fame or reputation. |
| Weak witness | A less convincing proof; here, physical monuments are called weak compared to his works. |
| Livelong monument | Something lasting forever; Shakespeare’s works are described this way. |
| Slow-endeavouring art | Art that takes a long time to create, like building a monument. |
| Easy numbers | Shakespeare’s effortless, flowing words or verses. |
| Unvalued book | A book with priceless value; refers to Shakespeare’s writings. |
| Delphic lines | Words filled with wisdom, like the prophecies from the Oracle of Delphi in ancient Greece. |
| Bereaving | Taking something away, here meaning Shakespeare’s works leave us overwhelmed. |
| Make us marble | Leave us stunned, as if turned to stone. |
| Sepulchred | Buried or laid to rest. |
| Pomp | Grand or impressive display. |
| Tomb | A grave or burial place. |
On Shakespear by Milton Questions and Answers
Understanding the Poem
1. Why does Milton feel it is not necessary to put up a monument in stone for Shakespeare?
Milton believes Shakespeare’s works are far greater than any monument. His plays and poems serve as an eternal tribute. They have immortalised him, making physical memorials unnecessary. His art is his true legacy.
2. What does the ‘weak witness of thy name’ refer to?
The phrase refers to monuments or physical structures built to honour someone. Milton sees them as unimportant. Shakespeare’s timeless writings are a stronger proof of his greatness.
3. How does Milton describe Shakespeare as the source of inspiration for all succeeding generations of poets?
Milton praises Shakespeare’s effortless writing, calling it “easy numbers.” He says Shakespeare’s words are so powerful they deeply impress every reader. This emotional depth inspires poets across generations to create meaningful art.
4. What is the best tribute that posterity has bestowed on Shakespeare?
The best tribute to Shakespeare is the lasting admiration and love his works receive. Milton suggests that Shakespeare’s writings have built him a “livelong monument” in the hearts of readers. This eternal legacy is unmatched by any physical tomb.
Extra Questions and Answers from On Shakespear by Milton
1. What does Milton mean by the phrase “easy numbers”?
Very Short Answer Type
Milton uses “easy numbers” to describe Shakespeare’s effortless and smooth-flowing poetry. It reflects how naturally Shakespeare’s words captivate readers and express deep emotions.
2. Why does Milton compare Shakespeare’s writing to a “livelong monument”?
Short Answer Type
Milton calls Shakespeare’s works a “livelong monument” because they immortalise him. Unlike stone monuments that may decay, his plays and poems endure through generations. His art preserves his fame far better than any physical structure.
3. How does Milton contrast Shakespeare’s legacy with traditional art forms like pyramids?
Short Answer Type
Milton contrasts Shakespeare’s legacy with pyramids by emphasising the timelessness of his works. While pyramids are grand but perishable, Shakespeare’s writings remain fresh and relevant. They transcend time, becoming a lasting tribute to his genius.
4. How does Milton suggest Shakespeare’s works influence readers emotionally?
Long Answer Type
Milton highlights the emotional power of Shakespeare’s words, which deeply affect readers and audiences. He mentions how Shakespeare’s writing leaves a “deep impression” and can make people feel joy, sorrow, or wonder. Milton compares the effect to being “turned to marble.” Readers are stunned or overwhelmed by the beauty and depth of his art. This emotional connection ensures that Shakespeare’s works remain cherished across generations. By moving the heart and inspiring thought, his writing continues to shape the way people perceive literature and human experience. Milton sees this as the true measure of Shakespeare’s greatness.
5. What does Milton imply about the fleeting nature of physical monuments in the poem?
Long Answer Type
Milton implies that physical monuments, no matter how grand, are temporary. Over time, even the strongest structures like pyramids can decay or lose their significance. In contrast, Shakespeare’s works are eternal. They exist in the hearts and minds of people, untouched by time or destruction. Milton argues that art, when it captures universal truths, becomes its creator’s true memorial. Shakespeare’s writing, filled with wisdom and emotional depth, transcends the limitations of stone or marble. This permanence is a testament to the enduring power of creative expression, far surpassing the fleeting nature of physical monuments.
On Shakespear by Milton Summary in Hindi
जॉन मिल्टन की कविता On Shakespear. 1630 विलियम शेक्सपियर के अप्रतिम साहित्यिक योगदान को श्रद्धांजलि है। मिल्टन का मानना है कि शेक्सपियर को याद रखने के लिए किसी भव्य स्मारक की आवश्यकता नहीं है। उनकी कृतियाँ, जैसे उनकी कविताएँ और नाटक, ही उनकी सच्ची विरासत हैं। ये रचनाएँ समय की सीमाओं को पार करती हैं और हमेशा लोगों के दिलों में जीवित रहती हैं।
मिल्टन बताते हैं कि शेक्सपियर का लेखन सरल लेकिन प्रभावशाली था। उनकी “easy numbers” यानी सहज शब्दों की शैली ने पाठकों और दर्शकों पर गहरी छाप छोड़ी। उनके शब्द भावनाओं को छूने और प्रेरणा देने में सक्षम हैं।
कवि शेक्सपियर के लेखन की तुलना स्थायी स्मारकों से करता है, जो समय के साथ नष्ट हो सकते हैं। लेकिन शेक्सपियर की कृतियाँ, एक “livelong monument” की तरह, हमेशा अमर रहेंगी। मिल्टन मानते हैं कि शेक्सपियर का साहित्यिक योगदान इतना महान है कि इसे किसी भौतिक स्मारक की आवश्यकता नहीं है।
यह कविता शेक्सपियर की कालजयी कृतियों को सम्मान देती है, जो न केवल उनकी प्रतिभा को दर्शाती हैं बल्कि साहित्य जगत में उनकी अमिट छाप को भी स्थापित करती हैं।
On Shakespear by Milton Summary in Urdu
جان ملٹن کی نظم On Shakespear. 1630 ولیم شیکسپیئر کے ادب میں عظیم مقام کو خراجِ تحسین پیش کرتی ہے۔ ملٹن کا کہنا ہے کہ شیکسپیئر کو یاد رکھنے کے لیے کسی یادگار یا عمارت کی ضرورت نہیں۔ ان کے لکھے ہوئے ڈرامے اور شاعری ہی ان کا اصل ورثہ ہیں، جو وقت کی قید سے آزاد ہیں اور ہمیشہ زندہ رہیں گے۔
ملٹن شیکسپیئر کے الفاظ کی سادگی اور گہرائی کی تعریف کرتے ہیں۔ وہ ان کی تحریروں کو “easy numbers” کہتے ہیں، یعنی آسان اور دلکش انداز میں لکھی گئی نظمیں اور ڈرامے جو پڑھنے والوں کے دلوں پر گہرا اثر چھوڑتے ہیں۔ ان کے الفاظ انسان کے جذبات کو چھوتے اور نئی سوچ کو جنم دیتے ہیں۔
ملٹن کہتے ہیں کہ شیکسپیئر کا ادب کسی بھی یادگار یا مقبرے سے زیادہ دیرپا ہے۔ ان کی تخلیقات کو “livelong monument” کہا گیا ہے، جو ہمیشہ قائم رہیں گی۔ وہ ان کی عظمت کو اس سے تشبیہ دیتے ہیں جو کبھی مٹ نہیں سکتی۔
یہ نظم شیکسپیئر کی انمول ادبی خدمات کو سراہتی ہے اور ان کے فن کی دائمی اہمیت کو اجاگر کرتی ہے۔
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) on “On Shakespeare” by John Milton
Section A: Comprehension (1-5)
1. Who wrote the poem “On Shakespeare”?
A) William Shakespeare
B) John Milton
C) Elizabeth Barrett Browning
D) Robert Frost
Answer: B) John Milton
2. What is the poem’s central theme?
A) Shakespeare’s life
B) Shakespeare’s death and legacy
C) English literature
D) Poetry and art
Answer: B) Shakespeare’s death and legacy
3. What does Milton compare Shakespeare’s legacy to?
A) A shining star
B) A guiding light
C) A burning flame
D) A fading ember
Answer: A) A shining star
4. Who are Apollo and Orpheus in the poem?
A) Ancient Greek and Roman poets
B) Shakespeare’s contemporaries
C) Milton’s inspirations
D) Fictional characters
Answer: A) Ancient Greek and Roman poets
5. What is the tone of the poem?
A) Elegiac, admiring and reflective
B) Joyful and celebratory
C) Critical and analytical
D) Melancholic and sorrowful
Answer: A) Elegiac, admiring and reflective
Section B: Literary Devices (6-10)
6. What literary device does Milton use in “Death therefore doth envy”?
A) Metaphor
B) Personification
C) Allusion
D) Simile
Answer: B) Personification
7. Identify the poetic device in “Thy admired stage, thy equal flight”.
A) Enjambment
B) Caesura
C) Alliteration
D) Assonance
Answer: C) Alliteration
8. What device does Milton employ in referencing Apollo and Orpheus?
A) Allusion
B) Illusion
C) Symbolism
D) Irony
Answer: A) Allusion
9. Analyze “Thy art, as ‘t were, doth still survive”. What poetic device is used?
A) Simile
B) Metaphor
C) Personification
D) Hyperbole
Answer: B) Metaphor
10. Identify the figure of speech in “In death’s dark veil, thy radiant beam”.
A) Oxymoron
B) Metaphor
C) Simile
D) Personification
Answer: A) Oxymoron
Section C: Critical Analysis (11-15)
11. How does Milton portray Shakespeare’s death?
A) As a tragic loss
B) As a natural occurrence
C) As an untimely event caused by Death’s envy
D) As a celebratory moment
Answer: C) As an untimely event caused by Death’s envy
12. What does Shakespeare’s legacy represent in the poem?
A) Enduring artistic greatness
B) Fleeting fame
C) Literary decline
D) Personal struggle
Answer: A) Enduring artistic greatness
13. Analyze Milton’s use of classical imagery.
A) To evoke nostalgia
B) To establish Shakespeare’s legacy
C) To create contrast
D) To demonstrate erudition
Answer: B) To establish Shakespeare’s legacy
14. What message does the poem convey about art and mortality?
A) Art transcends mortality
B) Mortality defines art
C) Art and mortality are unrelated
D) Mortality surpasses art
Answer: A) Art transcends mortality
15. How does Milton’s poem relate to Shakespeare’s works?
A) It critiques Shakespeare’s writing style
B) It celebrates Shakespeare’s influence on literature
C) It analyzes Shakespeare’s characters
D) It compares Shakespeare to other playwrights
Answer: B) It celebrates Shakespeare’s influence on literature
Section D: Language and Style (16-20)
16. What is the dominant poetic form in “On Shakespeare”?
A) Sonnet
B) Ode
C) Elegy
D) Blank Verse
Answer: C) Elegy
17. Identify the poetic movement associated with Milton’s style.
A) Romanticism
B) Classicism
C) Metaphysical
D) Baroque
Answer: B) Classicism
18. What is the effect of Milton’s use of metaphor in the poem?
A) Creates vivid imagery
B) Establishes Shakespeare’s legacy
C) Conveys complex emotions
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
19. Analyze the tone of “On Shakespeare”.
A) Melancholic and reflective
B) Joyful and celebratory
C) Critical and analytical
D) Elegiac, admiring and reflective
Answer: D) Elegiac, admiring and reflective
20. How does Milton’s language contribute to the poem’s themes?
A) Reinforces Shakespeare’s enduring legacy
B) Explores mortality’s significance
C) Celebrates artistic genius
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
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