Sweet bird, that shun the noise of folly, most musical, most melancholy!
Interpretation
The quote celebrates a bird that avoids the foolishness of the world, representing beauty and sorrow in its music.
In this quote, John Milton reflects on the idea of an idealized bird that escapes the chaos and foolishness of life. The 'sweet bird' symbolizes purity and a deep emotional resonance, contrasting with the noise of folly that surrounds it. This image evokes themes of beauty and sadness, suggesting that true artistry comes from a place of introspection and distance from the trivial pursuits of society.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech about the importance of artistic expression amidst societal chaos.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
Acting is illusion, as much illusion as magic is - and not so much a matter of being real.
It is godlike ever to think on something beautiful and on something new.
Each book I've done somehow finds its own unique form, a specific way it has to be written, and once I find it, I stick with it.
Fifth positions, heads, musicality, energy. Not technical things so much-getting your leg higher or doing more turns but things that would set you apart from other dancers. The only way you can be different is to be yourself if you don't find your spirit and reveal it, you just look like every other dancer.
Every time I get in the studio, I feel like I wanna have some fun. My fun is not doing the easy work. My fun is doing what's me.
Theatre is liberating because it only works if it's truthful, That's what it requires. That's not true of film: the camera does lie.
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