Concetti Chiave
- John Milton was born in London in 1608 and pursued classical studies, including Greek, Latin, and Italian.
- During his European travels, Milton met Galileo in Italy and later became Secretary for Foreign Languages under Oliver Cromwell.
- After the monarchy's restoration, Milton was briefly imprisoned but released due to his political affiliations.
- Paradise Lost, Milton's masterpiece, was published in 1667 and is structured into twelve books, echoing the epic tradition.
- The poem is known for its use of archaic language and explores the themes of the fall of Adam and Eve and the rebellion of Satan.
John Milton's early life
John Milton was born in 1608 in London into a well-to-do family. He studied classical subjects like Greek, Latin and Italian, too. In 1637 he began a journey around the Europe and in Italy he met Galileo in Fiesole, near Florence. When he came back to England, he knew Oliver Cromwell and in 1649 he was nominated Secretary for Foreign Languages in Cromwell’s Council of State. Therefore in 1660 after the restoration of the monarchy (and so the restoration of Charles II), Milton was arrested as a defender of the Commonwealth, but he was soon set free! His three long poems were written during these years and especially his masterpiece Paradise Lost, was written in 1667. Milton died in London in 1674.
Paradise Lost and its themes
The subject of Paradise Lost are two falls, and the main characters are Adam, Eve, God and Satan (the most beautiful of the Angels…the fallen Angel). The story is divided into twelve books against Homer's twenty-four of the Iliad and Odyssey. The poem follows the epic tradition of starting in the midst of things, and the text is quite regular…”Paradise Lost” is considered a “Latin-English” poem because is full of archaisms like “Sovran” instead of “king” (Soil instead of Home, Region instead of Land and Possessor instead of Owner).
Domande da interrogazione
- What were some key influences in John Milton's early life and career?
- How did the political climate in England affect John Milton's life and work?
- What are the central themes and stylistic features of "Paradise Lost"?
John Milton was born into a well-to-do family in London in 1608 and received an education in classical subjects such as Greek, Latin, and Italian. His travels around Europe, including meeting Galileo in Italy, and his association with Oliver Cromwell, where he served as Secretary for Foreign Languages, were significant influences in his life.
After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Milton was arrested for his support of the Commonwealth but was soon released. This period of political upheaval coincided with the writing of his major works, including "Paradise Lost," which was completed in 1667.
"Paradise Lost" explores the themes of two falls, focusing on characters like Adam, Eve, God, and Satan. The poem is divided into twelve books and follows the epic tradition of beginning in medias res. It is noted for its "Latin-English" style, incorporating archaisms such as "Sovran" for "king."
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