While some literary Biblical allusions are more subtle than others, Milton’s sonnet leaves no doubt that the author based his poem on Jesus’ Parable of the Talents, recorded in MATTHEW 25 : 14-30. The opening half of the sonnet reads…
Wolves
During His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (MATTHEW 7 : 15). Act III, Scene ii finds Juliet describing her nurse as a “wolvish-ravening lamb,” among other things, when the nurse tells Juliet of Tybalt’s death and Romeo’s banishment.
Loving Your Enemy
In His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ says, “…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (MATTHEW 5 : 44; see also LUKE 6 : 27).
Beelzebub
In Act II, Scene iii, the Porter responds to the knocking at the gate with, “Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Beelzebub?” This name first apprears in the Old Testament in 2 KINGS 1 : 2 as the name of “the god of Ekron,” which was a Philistine city.
Sparrows
In Act V, Scene ii, Horatio thinks it’s best to postpone the duel with Laertes. Hamlet replies, “Not a whit. We defy augury. There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow.”