John Milton: Life and Legacy of a Literary Master

John Milton: A Literary Profile

John Milton was a great poet who held a unique perspective on human pride. As a devout Puritan, he believed firmly in the warnings found within the Bible, illustrating them brilliantly in his masterpiece, Paradise Lost.

Born on December 9, 1608, in London, England, and passing away around November 8, 1674, Milton was an English poet, pamphleteer, and historian. He is widely considered the most significant English author after William Shakespeare.

In his prose works, Milton advocated for the abolition of the Church of England and the execution of Charles I.

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost was first published in 10 books in 1667 and later in 12 books in 1674, spanning almost 11,000 lines. Like many classical epics, Paradise Lost invokes a muse, whom Milton identifies at the outset of the poem.

Text Analysis: Allusion

An allusion is a brief reference to a person, place, event, or another literary work. Writers often use allusions to enrich the reader's understanding of characters and actions while emphasizing important ideas. Allusions most often come from biblical stories and classical literature, such as Greek and Roman mythology.

Reading Strategy: Difficult Texts

Milton utilized a dramatic writing style featuring striking phrases and unusual imagery. To engage with his work:

• Simplify syntax: Paraphrase complex sentences.
• Use footnotes: Clarify archaic expressions or words no longer in common use.
• Focus: Analyze the thoughts, words, and actions of Satan, the main character in this portion of the poem.

Satan's Characterization

• Thoughts (Lines 78-81): He realizes the fallen angel beside him is Beelzebub, an ally in his war against God.
• Words (Lines 84-87): He tells Beelzebub he recognizes him, even though Beelzebub looks nothing like he did in Heaven.
• Actions (Lines 50-53): Satan lies on a burning lake of fire after being cast out of Heaven.

Reading Purpose

Learn about the fateful choices made by a fallen angel.

Milton begins his epic like the ancient epics that served as his models, with an invocation of, or call upon, a Muse. The speaker asks for inspiration and states the subject and themes of the poem. He then explains how Satan, once among the most powerful of God's angels, was cast out of Heaven for leading rebellions against God's rule. Awakening in Hell alongside Beelzebub, another fallen angel, Satan considers what he has lost and reaffirms his defiance of God.