Group Post- Milton's works

Demaray, John. Milton and the Masque Tradition: The Early Poems,

"Arcades," & Comus.

Cambridge, Massachusettes: Harvard University Press, 1968.

 

Dobranski, Stephen B. “Letter and Spirit in Milton’s Areopagitica.” Milton’s Studies 32

(1995):131-152

 

Firth, C.H., and R.S. Rait, eds. “June 1643: An Ordinance for the regulating of Printing.”

British History Online. History of Parliament Trust. 28 Sept. 2008

<http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=55829.>.

 

Herman, Peter C, ed. Approaches to Teaching Milton’s Shorter Poetry and Prose. New

York: Mod.Lang.Assn.,200

 

 

Areopagitica, written in 1644, is John Milton’s response to the Licensing Order of 1643. This ordinance states that any book, pamphlet or paper had to be approved by a person licensed by Parliament before it was published (Firth). This strengthened the power of Parliament, by placing the decision of what is available to the public to read in the hands of “a few men” (Dobranski). It seems as though Milton believes that the people have a right to express their opinions thorough writing, regardless of the judgment of those in Parliament.  Similarly, Milton’s masque Comus, demonstrates ideas of free will and freedom of choice.  Comus, the antagonist, tries to tempt the lady from the narrative to surrender her virtue.  Her response to remain virtuous parallels Milton’s reaction to Areopagitica, demonstrating that Milton appreciates the power of free will.

For Milton the judgment of good and evil could only be distinguished by being exposed to both. In Areopagitica he mentions just how closely the two are tied together:

Good and evil we know in the field of this world grow up together almost inseparably; the knowledge of good… is interwoven with the knowledge of evil…what wisdom can there be to choose, what continence to forbear without the knowledge of evil?”

            Free will enables us to make our own distinctions between the two forces, favorable expressed by Milton. 

            In Milton’s Comus, the nymph Sabrina positively reinforces free will.  When The Lady stays true to her virtue, Sabrina uses her magic to release The Lady from captivity (Demaray, 90-91).  By demonstrating free will, The Lady triumphs, showing Milton’s positive view of expressionism. 

            Abdiel, an angel in Milton’s Paradise Lost, exposed to Satan’s plan of rebellion but not swayed by him, comparably underlines Milton’s views of the power of free will.  By consciously denying the influences of Satan, Abdiel becomes self-assured in his rightful decision, as he sees the outcome of the actions he rejected. 

            Milton appears to be a true advocate for freedom of choice and expression, expressed in his works, Areopagitica, Comus, and Paradise Lost.