Milton's "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity" - Analysis and Context

Explore Milton's early ode "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity" in this 48-minute lecture from Yale University's ENGL 220 course. Delve into the poet's novice status and ambitious aspirations as outlined in his letter to Charles Diodati. Examine the ode's unique treatment of the Nativity, including Milton's temporal choices, competitive narrator, and blend of Christian and classical elements. Analyze the poem's final stanzas, which reject the pagan world—a recurring theme in Milton's work. Additional readings covered include "At a Vacation Exercise in the College," "On the Death of a Fair Infant," and "Elegia sexta." The lecture is divided into five chapters: Introduction to the Nativity Ode, Milton's view of poetry as a divine vocation, poetic celebration of Christ's birth, analysis of the Prelude, and examination of the Hymn.