Question

select the correct answer.
how does john milton link the mirth of \lallegro\ with the melancholy of \il penseroso\ in these two excerpts?

(from \lallegro\)
in notes, with many a winding bout
of linked sweetness long drawn out,
with wanton heed, and giddy cunning,
the melting voice through mazes running;
untwisting all the chains that tie
the hidden soul of harmony.

(from \il penseroso\)
to the full voicd quire below,
in service high, and anthems clear,
as may with sweetness, through mine ear,
dissolve me into extasies,
and bring all heavn before mine eyes,
and may at last my weary age
find out the peaceful hermitage,

a. he suggests that both mirth and melancholy make human life peaceful.
b. he suggests that both mirth and melancholy put human life under the authority of god.
c. he links melancholy and mirth by saying they both help people find their true nature and soul.
d. he uses musical imagery to show that both mirth and melancholy lead to satisfying ends.
e. he uses the concept of careless youth and wise old age to show that mirth and melancholy are interlinked.

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The excerpts don't focus on making life peaceful. Eliminate A.
• Option B: There's no mention of God's authority. Eliminate B.
• Option C: "L'Allegro" has musical notes (mirth - related) and "Il Penseroso" has religious service (melancholy - related), and both aim to satisfy (mirth's "hidden soul of harmony", melancholy's "peaceful hermitage"). So C fits as linking them to show they help find true nature/soul.
• Option D: Musical imagery is in "L'Allegro" but not to show they lead to satisfying ends. Eliminate D.
• Option E: The concept of youth/old age isn't about linking mirth and melancholy. Eliminate E.

Answer:

C. He links melancholy and mirth by saying they both help people find their true nature and soul.