A Reading of Milton's Sonnet to Sir Henry Vane the Younger

We learned in today's lecture that Milton's sonnets were far from the "women-glorifying" blazons in that his sonnets expressed the desire for men to make a political state. A difference already from the other two sonnets (the ones written for Fairfax and Cromwell), is that Vane seems to be more of the thinker/politician versus a being a seasoned war general.

Its obvious from the start that Milton has nothing but praise for Vane. He starts off with a spondee in line one, emphasizing his youth along with the declaratory opening discerning who the rest of the sonnet is about (XVII.1). The previous point made about Vane being more of a thinker is addressed in both lines 1 and 3, where Milton says "[Vane] in sage counsel old," and even during battle, his "gowns not arms repell'd" (XVII.1-3). This sets Vane apart from the other Lord Generals addressed.

Vane's overarching knowledge of the entire situation is praised; his ability to look at all the aspects of war, economy, and state are in tune with Milton's desire for these men to make a state. In lines 7 to 9, Milton states that Vane knows how to best carry out a war, taking into consideration both its "main nerves, Iron and Gold" (XVII.7-8). Iron and gold can respectively be seen as a reference to weapons/arms and the economic impacts. The use of the word "advise" in line 7 also proves to show that Vane isn't a general or war commander; military figureheads don't advise. Instead, Vane is portrayed as the wise advisor, more of the tactician and politician. Then in the following line, Milton takes Vane's wide range of vision even further to say he also has the mental capacity to view it in a religious and civil aspect, a mastery of knowledge that "few have done" (XVII.10-11).

The last two lines end as a kind of blessing. Milton entrusts the prevalence and peace of religion onto Vane, implementing a use of enjambment to give the "religion leans" a 'leaning' and lasting effect onto the next line. I also found it interesting that it starts off with Vane being noted for his relative youth presumably compared to his peers, yet Milton finds the confidence to deem Vane the "eldest son" of religion; this is a great symbol of trust and respect (XVII.13-14).

-Justin