Living in a period of religious and cultural fluctuation, John Milton's poetry reflects the many influences he found both in history and in the contemporary world. The pastoral elegy, Lycidas, written after the death of a friend, Edward King, exemplifies Milton's ability to fuse classical references with the occurrences of the 17th century. Milton portrays this ability in the four psychological phases the narrator experiences after the death of his friend, Lycidas. The first stage, is one of grieving over the death of his dear friend. After this first stage of mourning, the narrator seeks…
