Concetti Chiave
- John Milton, born in 1608 in London, was a prominent figure of the Puritan age and showed a strong religious inclination throughout his life.
- He was highly educated, attending Cambridge University, and was proficient in multiple languages including Italian, French, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew.
- Despite going blind, Milton continued to write with the assistance of a secretary, producing significant works even after his blindness.
- Milton's key literary contributions include "L'Allegro," "Il Penseroso," "Lycidas," "Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce," and "Areopagitica," with "Paradise Lost" being his most renowned epic.
- In comparison to Dante, Milton's works are noted for their chaotic and visual representation, particularly in his depiction of Hell, contrasting with Dante's more orderly and auditory approach.
What was John Milton's early life like?
John Milton is the most important exponent of the Puritan age.
He was a Puritan, but not fanatical.
He was born in London in 1608 in a rich family.
He studied in Cambridge University, was very erudite and knew Italian, French, Greek, Latin and Hebrew.
He was very religious.
During his life, he traveled a lot and went to France and Italy.
He held important offices of state.
He went blind, so he wrote with the help of a secretary.
After the restoration of Charles II, Milton was imprisoned because of he sympathized with Oliver Cromwell, but he was released.
He died in London in 1674.
Milton's literary contributions
His most important works are:
- L'Allegro and Il Penseroso
- Lycidas, a pastoral elegy for his friend, Edward King
- Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce, in which it supported the divorce
- Areopagitica, in which it supported press freedom
His most important work is a trilogy consisting of:
- Paradise Lost
- Paradise Regained
- Samson Agonistes
Paradise Lost is en epic poem divided in twelve books, like Virgil’s Aeneid (lett. Aniid). Satan is the true protagonist of the work.
The language is very high. There are many abbreviations, repetitions, archaisms and words in Latin, French and Italian. There is the transition from an archaic English to modern English.
Comparison with Dante
Milton and Dante are both important authors. (Milton is for English what Dante is for Italians.)
Milton was more erudite than Dante. Milton’s Hell is very chaotic and more visual, while Dante’s Hell is really order and more auditive (lett. Uditaiv).
Domande da interrogazione
- What were some key aspects of John Milton's early life and education?
John Milton was born in London in 1608 into a wealthy family. He was highly educated, studying at Cambridge University, and was proficient in several languages, including Italian, French, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew. His upbringing was deeply religious, and he was a Puritan, though not fanatical.
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