The author of the passage mentions the poet Milton and the scientist Newton primarily in order to
Batmanon August 23, 2015
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According to the correct answer (D), the scientist Newton's "Latin writings have been neglected by philologists." I couldn't find any clue that Newton's works was neglected by philologists on the passage. Could you please explain this?
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In lines 22-27 the author compares Milton to Newton. In the immediate lines before this she explains that "even the most learned students of the Renaissance" limit their study to humanistic and literary writings, while leaving works of theology and science, law and medicine to "specialists" in those fields who "lack philological training," (lines 14-22). In her comparison of Milton and Newton, she explains that the "intellectual historian" has ample guidance when reading Latin poetry of Milton, i.e. there is a lot of recognized merit to Milton's work, so one could use this to aid their studies of his Latin poetry, while there is little or no guidance in confronting the more "alien and difficult terminology, syntax, and content of the scientist Newton," (lines 22-27). We see the author's feelings of this issue in lines 55 to 58, "the result of each side's inability to cross boundaries has been that each presents a distorted reading of the intellectual culture of Renaissance England," i.e. Newton's works of this period are relevant and useful to the study of this period.
Thus, answer choice (D): "contrasts a writer of the Renaissance whose merit has long been recognized with one whose literary worth has only recently begun," is the correct answer.
Hope that clears things up! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
