On the Late Massacre in Piedmont Poem Analysis
"On the Late Massacre in Piedmont" is a sonnet written by the English poet John Milton in 1655. The poem was composed in response to the massacre of the Waldensians, a Protestant religious group living in the Piedmont region of what is now Italy. The Waldensians were targeted and brutally attacked by the Catholic Duke of Savoy, leading to the deaths of thousands. In this poem, Milton expresses his horror and outrage at the atrocity, while reflecting on themes of religious persecution, divine justice, and the role of the poet in bearing witness to the suffering of others.
The poem follows the structure of a Petrarchan sonnet, consisting of an octave (the first eight lines) and a sestet (the final six lines). The octave follows a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA, while the sestet rhymes CDECDE. This form allows Milton to develop two interconnected ideas: first, the horror and tragedy of the massacre, and second, a plea for divine intervention and justice.
In the octave, Milton describes the brutal massacre of the Waldensians, invoking vivid and harrowing imagery to convey the scale of the tragedy. He laments the loss of innocent lives and the suffering inflicted upon the Waldensians, who were targeted for their religious beliefs. Through this imagery, Milton emphasizes the theme of religious persecution, highlighting the dangers of intolerance and the potential for violence when religious differences are used as a justification for cruelty.
The sestet shifts focus from the tragedy of the massacre to a plea for divine justice. Milton calls on God to avenge the deaths of the Waldensians and to bring retribution upon those responsible for the atrocity. This shift in focus highlights the theme of divine justice, suggesting that while humans may perpetrate acts of violence and cruelty, they will ultimately be held accountable by a higher power.
Another theme present in the poem is the role of the poet in bearing witness to the suffering of others. As a poet, Milton uses his art to give voice to the victims of the massacre and to ensure that their suffering is not forgotten. The poem serves as a testament to the power of poetry to bear witness to the atrocities of history and to inspire empathy and compassion in the hearts of its readers.
In conclusion, John Milton's "On the Late Massacre in Piedmont" is a powerful and poignant sonnet that explores themes of religious persecution, divine justice, and the role of the poet in bearing witness to the suffering of others. Through vivid imagery and a tightly-structured form, Milton expresses his outrage at the brutal massacre of the Waldensians and calls on God to bring justice to those responsible for the tragedy.