A comprehensive study of the poem as a whole should be profitable after the work indicated in II.
Content.—What is the substance of the poet's lament for his friend? As we read the poem do we think more of him or of Milton? How do you account for this?
What were Milton's relations to King? Were they intimate, personal friends?
Put into a sentence the substance of each digression.
In what part of the poem do we find that the allusions to the supernatural are classic and pagan? in what part, Christian? What corresponding difference is there in the tone of the poem?
Form.—What relation do the first two paragraphs bear to the rest?
Where is the pastoral element first introduced?
At what places does Milton drop the pastoral form?
What is the effect of a change of person in the last eight lines?
Has the poem unity? Give reasons. How would the poet have justified his digressions?