The ‘Nativity Ode’ is less about the celebration of Christ and more about the superiority of a Protestant English spirit. Do you agree? Explain. [British Poetry (2018-19) Assignment 2]

John Milton's "Nativity Ode" is a poem that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and the events surrounding the nativity. The poem explores various themes such as the role of the angels, the significance of the star of Bethlehem, and the shepherds who came to visit the infant Jesus. While the poem does contain some references to English culture and identity, I would argue that it is primarily focused on the celebration of Christ and the significance of his birth for humanity.

The poem begins with an invocation to the muses, asking them to inspire Milton's song of the nativity. He then proceeds to describe the events surrounding the birth of Christ, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the incarnation and the role of the angels in announcing the news to the shepherds. While there are some references to English culture and identity, such as the mention of the "wintry pole" and the "pagan fables," these references do not detract from the overall focus on the birth of Christ.

Furthermore, the references to English culture and identity are not meant to suggest the superiority of Protestantism or Englishness over other cultures and identities. Rather, they are used to situate the events of the nativity within a particular historical and cultural context. For example, when Milton refers to the "pagan fables" he is not suggesting that non-Christian cultures are inferior, but rather highlighting the contrast between the false beliefs of the past and the truth of the Christian message.

In conclusion, while the "Nativity Ode" does contain some references to English culture and identity, I would argue that its primary focus is on the celebration of Christ and the significance of his birth for humanity. The poem does not promote the superiority of a particular culture or religion, but rather seeks to express the wonder and joy of the nativity in a way that is accessible to a wide audience.