Although the basic development of the two poems in this diptych is paratactic (accumulating details), there are significant parallels. Fill out the columns below to see them:
| Structural Element | Subject and line numbers in "L'Allegro" | Subject and line numbers in "Il Penseroso" |
| Exorcism and invocation of goddess and humor | ||
| Pedigrees and associations of goddess | ||
| Style of life as her devotee | ||
| Procession of messengers, birds, animals | ||
| First person travellogue | ||
| A typical day and night and places visited | ||
| Kindred poetic spirits and antecedents | ||
| Kindred philosophies and gods | ||
| Idealized locale | ||
| Final pledge | ||