Specifically, the poem mourns the death of his friend, Edward King, who drowned at sea. Lycidas, a shepherd in the poem, represents King. Through the allegorical nature of the poem, Milton grapples with themes of:
* The pain of sudden death: The poem laments the untimely and tragic loss of a young, promising life.
* The fragility of life: The death of King highlights the precariousness of human existence and the inevitability of mortality.
* The power of memory and the lasting impact of loss: Milton's poem reflects on how memory can keep the deceased alive in the hearts of those left behind.
* Finding meaning and solace in grief: The poem explores the process of coming to terms with loss and finding ways to move forward.
While the poem is deeply personal, it also touches upon universal themes of death, mourning, and the search for meaning in the face of loss.