The Irony of Cowley’s Ingenuity - “Cowley”
Johnson explains, "By his (Cowley's) mother's solicitation he was admitted into Westminster school, where he was soon distinguished. He was wont, says Sprat, to relate, "That he had this defect in his memory at that time, that his teachers could never bring it to retain the ordinary rules of grammar." Based on Cowley's defective memory, it would not be anticipated that he would become genius in poetry. Notwithstanding his poor grasp of simple grammar, "While he was yet at school he produced a comedy called "Love's Riddle," though it was not published till he had been sometime at Cambridge." Cowley ironically rises above his bad memory and grammar to become a noteworthy author and poet. Accordingly, rules of grammar are not definitive determinant factors in a writer's career and intelligence.
The Irony of Disinheriting - "Milton"
Johnson recounts, “His grandfather, John, was keeper of the forest of Shotover, a zealous Papist, who disinherited his son because he had forsaken the religion of his ancestors. His (Milton) father, John, who was the son disinherited, had recourse for his support to the profession of a scrivener." Milton's grandfather's resolution to disinherit John is ironic. Their blood bond would have been projected to be superior to the ideological differences which contribute to the religion. For the grandfather compliance with religion is mandatory for his son. Failure to comply is unforgivable, since the ancestors are supreme.
The Irony of the Dame’s Request - “Waller”
Johnson expounds, “His (Waller's) acquaintance with this high-born dame gave wit no opportunity of boasting its influence; she was not to be subdued by the powers of verse, but rejected his addresses, it is said, with disdain, and drove him away to solace his disappointment with Amoret or Phillis…in her old age, meeting somewhere with Waller, asked him, when he would again write such verses upon her; “When you are as young, Madam,” said he, “and as handsome as you were then.” The dame’s ironic request for the compositions which she once rejected indicates that she is nostalgic of her youth. She longs for the compositions which praised her and her request for them indicates that she would like to experience a regression of her old days. Waller’s ironic response indicates that he cannot compose poems for her because it is impossible to return her beauty and his handsomeness.
Betrayal - “Waller”
Johnson expounds, “A manuscript, quoted in the “Life of Waller,” relates, that “he was betrayed by his sister Price, and her Presbyterian chaplain Mr. Goode, who stole some of his papers; and if he had not strangely dreamed the night before, that his sister had betrayed him, and thereupon burnt the rest of his papers by the fire that was in his chimney, he had certainly lost his life by it." Price's betrayal is ironic; she would be expected to guard her brother due to their sibling bond. Accordingly, betrayal cannot be averted by familial relationships. Moreover, the chaplain, would not be expected to betray Waller due to his standing as a religious figure. Waller is betrayed by individuals whom he trusts unconditionally; hence, he is devastated in the aftermath.
“Poor Sonnet” - 'Milton’
Johnson reports, “About this time his first wife died in childbed, having left him three daughters…but after a short time married Catharine, the daughter of one Captain Woodcock, of Hackney, a woman doubtless educated in opinions like his own. She died, within a year, of childbirth, or some distemper that followed it; and her husband honoured her memory with a poor sonnet." In view of Milton's writing prowess, he would have honored his deceased wife with the best sonnet. His wife was not an ordinary subject: they had been a couple before her demise. The 'poor sonnet' affirms that although Milton had married her, he did not love her intensely. As a result, he is not inspired to dedicate a high-quality sonnet to her.
