Concetti Chiave
- The poem is a political sonnet written during the Puritan period, focusing on the massacre of the Waldenses in Piedmont.
- Milton expresses anger towards the Duke of Savoy's order to convert or expel the Waldenses, which led to their massacre in 1655.
- The sonnet follows an ABBA rhyme scheme, divided into two quatrains and two tercets, characteristic of an Italian sonnet.
- The poem juxtaposes a plea against the massacre with a contradiction, as Milton aligns with Cromwell's anti-Catholic measures.
- It portrays the martyrdom of the Waldenses as a tragic event, hoping their sacrifice will inspire future religious steadfastness.
Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones
Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold;
Even them who kept thy truth so pure of old,
When all our fathers worshiped stocks and stones,
Forget not: in thy book record their groans
Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient fold
Slain by the bloody Piedmontese, that rolled
Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans
The vales redoubled to the hills, and they
To heaven. Their martyred blood and ashes sow
O'er all the Italian fields, where still doth sway
The triple Tyrant; that from these may grow
A hundredfold, who, having learnt thy way,
Early may fly the Babylonian woe.
Massacre in Piedmont
On the late massacre in Piedmont is a political sonnet.It was wrote in the puritan period for the Waldesians defence, and privately Milton vented his anger. 
In the spring of 1655 the Duke of Savoy ordered a small protestant community, the Waldenses either to become Catholics or to live in Piedmont within 20 days.When they resisted he had them massacred.
The rhyming scheme is ABBA divided into 2quatrains and 2tersine.The text is more argomentative, and it is an Italian sonnet.It is simil to a prey, a little cruel, and there is a contraddiction because in this sonnet Milton says that mustn't massacre the Waldesians but he does the same thing against Christian signed the agreement of provvediment against Catholicism with Cromwell.
Domande da interrogazione
- What historical event does Milton's sonnet address, and what was the outcome for the Waldenses?
- How does Milton's sonnet reflect his personal sentiments and political stance during the Puritan period?
- What literary structure and style does Milton employ in his sonnet, and how does it enhance the poem's message?
Milton's sonnet addresses the massacre of the Waldenses in Piedmont in 1655, where the Duke of Savoy ordered them to convert to Catholicism or face dire consequences. When they resisted, they were brutally massacred.
The sonnet reflects Milton's anger and defense of the Waldenses, highlighting his opposition to the Catholic Church's actions. It also reveals a contradiction, as Milton, who opposed the massacre, supported Cromwell's anti-Catholic measures.
Milton uses an Italian sonnet structure with an ABBA rhyme scheme, divided into quatrains and tercets. This argumentative and prayer-like style enhances the emotional plea for divine justice against the oppressors of the Waldenses.
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