Concetti Chiave
- John Milton, a Puritan, was educated at Cambridge, became blind, and met Galileo in France, later supporting Cromwell in the English Civil War.
- Milton's political writings included "Aeropagitica" and "Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio," advocating for democratic principles and justifying the execution of the English king.
- "Paradise Lost" explores themes of pride and disobedience, portraying Satan's rebellion and the fall of Adam and Eve, emphasizing evil's origin in rebellion rather than divine will.
- Milton's depiction of hell in "Paradise Lost" contrasts with Dante's organized inferno by focusing on the singular sin of pride and elevating Satan as a dignified hero.
- Differences from Dante's "Divine Comedy" include Milton's elevated language and the portrayal of Satan as a rebel punished, unlike Dante's judgmental Satan.
The Life of John Milton
John Milton was born in a puritan family, graduated at Cambridge and became blind. He went to France where he met Galileo Galilei but agreed with Tolomeo. He read Dante's and Petrarch's works. When the civil war between cavaliers and the middle class came back to England and sided with Cromwell by writing some political works, he became a minister. With restoration he was about to be executed but thanks to some people he knew he had his life saved on the condition that he wouldn't take part in politics.
Political Career and Works
His career is divided in three periods:
-imitation of French and Italian literature;
-political works from Cromwell. For example Aeropagitica: the areopagus was the hill where the Athenian assembly met and was considered a symbol of democracy. In this work Milton made a comparison with the English parliament. Another work is pro populo anglicano defensio, followed by pro populo anglicano secunda defensio, both written in Latin because Milton wanted Europe to understand why the English had executed the king. Another work was the discipline of divorce: he divorced from his wife, who was not puritan and explained that two people could split if they didn't get along.
With restoration he had to leave politics.
-The last period is the most famous one: Milton wrote
Paradise Lost and Evil
His masterpiece paradise lost is about the loss of paradise by Satan, who rebelled against God, but also about Adam and Eve after eating the forbidden fruit. He was a puritan and wrote this to justify the presence of evil on earth by introducing pride and disobedience. Evil wasn't generated by God but was in Satan and Adam and Eve. Evil is in the rebellion which generated chaos.
Paradise regained was written to give mankind hope. Paradise was regained through Christ's sacrifice. Eve is considered the biggest sinner because Adam was in love with her. That's why Milton was accused of
In paradise lost and regained the universe is imagined as formed by 10 spheres, of which the brightest one falls and forms hell.
Epic poems have a hero whose adventures are aimed to establish good deeds. The hero in paradise Lost is Satan, a sinner. The rebellion of Cromwell against the king resembles the story of Satan. Even though Satan is a rebel, he earns the author's sympathy because he has dignity.
Differences with the Divine Comedy
Milton read the divine comedy, but there are some differences with it:
-language: Dante's language was simple to understand, whereas Milton's one was elevated because he didn't want common people to understand.
-Dante built an organized hell where many sins are condemned. Milton's one doesn't have any organization and there is just one sin: pride.
-Dante spoke about politics, Milton couldn't; nevertheless the story reminds us of
-In the divine comedy Satan is a judge, while in paradise lost Satan is punished.
Domande da interrogazione
- What were the key influences in John Milton's early life and education?
- How did John Milton's political career evolve, and what were some of his notable works during this period?
- What is the central theme of Milton's "Paradise Lost," and how does it address the concept of evil?
- How does "Paradise Lost" differ from Dante's "Divine Comedy" in terms of language and depiction of hell?
- In what way does Milton's portrayal of Satan in "Paradise Lost" reflect his views on rebellion and heroism?
John Milton was born into a Puritan family, graduated from Cambridge, and became blind. He traveled to France, met Galileo, and was influenced by the works of Dante and Petrarch.
Milton's political career included writing works in support of Cromwell, such as "Aeropagitica" and "Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio." He had to leave politics after the Restoration but was spared execution due to his connections.
"Paradise Lost" explores the loss of paradise due to Satan's rebellion and Adam and Eve's disobedience. Milton, a Puritan, wrote it to justify the presence of evil, which he attributed to pride and disobedience, not God.
Milton's language in "Paradise Lost" is elevated, unlike Dante's simpler style. Milton's hell lacks organization, focusing on the sin of pride, whereas Dante's hell is structured with various sins.
In "Paradise Lost," Satan is depicted as a hero with dignity, reflecting Milton's sympathy for rebellion, akin to Cromwell's revolt against the king, despite Satan being a sinner.
Accedi a tutti gli appunti
Tutor AI: studia meglio e in meno tempo
