Individual Post: Areopagitica

 Source:

Dobranski, Stephen B. “Letter and Spirit in Milton’s Areopagitica.” Milton’s Studies 32 (1995):131-152

Milton’ Areopagitica was written about the process of publishing books, particularly about Parliaments role in this process. Milton believed that, “The judgment of truth and falsehood, what should be printed and what suppressed, ought not to be in the hands of a few men.” (p.132) With this in mind, Milton wanted to make the process easier for writers, as by the time he had written Areopagitica he has several of his own works published. It is important to note that while Milton wanted less interference from Parliament, he did not want their participation to be obsolete. “He acknowledges that the industry would benefit from post publication licensing, perhaps as a safeguard from inaccurate reprints.”(p.134) This would ensure the protection of the authors, while giving them enough freedom to express themselves.

While Milton’s proposition allows writers freedom, Areopagitica is not just written about publishing. The style used in Areopagtica is worth noting. While many books published around this time (1644) were done so anonymously, Areopagitica went a step further. “Not only does Areopagitica lack a licenser, printer, and publisher, but on a literal level, the title page…also excludes the author of the printed text” (p.134) This puzzled me, leaving me wondering why someone who is fighting for publishing rights, would leave out such critical elements of their writing. Milton simply refers to himself in the title “Areopagitica:A Speech of Mr. John Milton For the Liberty of Vnlicenc’d Printing to the Parliament of England.”(p.134) It seems as though Milton is not even taking credit for Areopagitica, and makes me wonder if that is because he did not want to lose his standing with Parliament.

So while I agree with Milton’s ideas of limiting Parliaments authority over printing, and that writers should be able to freely express themselves; I do not agree with the format of Areopagitica’s first page. I believe that a stance so strong should be taken with at least enough confidence to place the authors name on the text. Milton had been knowledgeable with the publishing process, showing that he understood what he was talking about; and I believe his emphasis on freedom of expression is a way of foreshadowing his later works such as Paradise Lost. After all, I feel that a book that focuses so much on Satan, at least in the beginning, would have surely been “suppressed”.

 

 

Rebecca R.