Comus, by John Milton: Literary Criticism from Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson states that in "Comus," John Milton deliberately demonstrated himself to his audience as a master of that system of diction and mode of verse. He exhibits his power of description, sentiment and his praise of virtue. Milton's work is "truly poetical," it contains images, descriptive epithels, embelists, and allusions. Moreover, Johnson argues that the scene where the two brothers get separated from the Lady leaving her alone and helpless to the dangers of the forests, is a defect---very convenient to Milton's purpose of the play. Also, Johnson points out that the Spirit's prologue, which is addressed to the audience, is an unconventional mode of communication as oppose to the conventional mode of dramatic representation.

Johnson mentions that the discourse of the Spirit is way too long as oppose to the other speeches that seem to be declamations composed and repeated, placing emphasis on a moral question. He also argues that the Spirit's long narration in the scene where the Spirit announces that Lady is in the hands of Comus is of no use because the narration is not suitable to a good person. Johnson continues by saying that the language is poetical and the sentiments are noble in all these parts. Furthermore, he states that the arguments between Lady and Comus invite attention because this scene is the most animated one of the drama. Johnson concludes by saying that the songs are full of imagery, but their diction is harsh, and not very musical.

I find Johnson's description of Milton's work as "truly poetical" very helpful and informative in labeling Milton's use of imagery, epithels, descriptive embellists and allusions in "Comus." Milton introduced a new kind of mask; he utilizes the spirit to have a direct contact with his audience--a different mode of communication.

I disagree with Johnson when he argues that the scene where Lady is left alone in the forests, in the hands of danger is a defect because that's not the point. Milton is trying to teach us a lesson, a moral. The point of the drama is the way Lady was able to come out clean from temptation, she was focused and in control of her mind and that's how she was able to practice chastity and that leads to virtue. If we tried to focus our attention in the forests scene how conveniently everyone separated and got lost, we are missing the message(s) Milton is sending to his audience.

It was interesting to have explored someone else's point of view and critique. Yes, I recommended to another student because Johnson's critique challenges one's ideas, views and knowledge on the subject.

Literature Criticism, volume 9.
Johnson, Samuel. "Comus,"
Excerpt from an essay (1979): 202-205.