Edited Original Post: Historical Information

This is a revision of my original post which lacked connections to the text and can be found at: http://paradisetranslation1011.blogspot.com/2008/08/individual-post-historical-information.html

As we have established in class, John Milton's life was encompassed by a world filled with politics and religion. Milton lived through four different rulers, a civil war, and the death of some close relatives(supported by Marjorie D.). It is unthinkable to assume that such events play only a minor role in his career as a writer. While reading Paradise Lost, it is important to remember these influences, but also to grasp a better understanding of them.

Living through multiple rulers ad a civil war, John Milton was given ample opportunity to form an opinion on authority. During the rule of King Charles, Charles aimed to unite England Scotland and Ireland into one kingdom. When Parliament advised against such actions, Charles dissolved parliament. This is a clear case of authoritative rule and as a class we have seen multiple examples of Milton resisting such governments. From the beginning the reader sees support for overthrowing a superior power as they listen to Satan’s speeches. (Books 1&2) Milton shows further support for abolishing absolute rule with the set up of a democratic meeting in Book 2.

As political issues began to work themselves out in England, religious views introduced more contempt, and gave way to the Civil War. This war was fought between King Charles (with his Royalist supporters) and Parliament (the Roundheads). Milton’s Paradise Lost obviously stems off of religious background; and I feel that he tries to portray the Civil War in bits of his book. Milton parallels Satan’s role as leader of the revolting angels to that of Oliver Cromwell in opposition to King Charles. Oliver Cromwell started off with a powerful role in Parliament, just as Satan started off with a high status in Heaven. (5.811-12) Once King Charles was defeated and beheaded in 1649 Cromwell became the Lord Protector. Much Like Cromwell, Satan immediately took advantage of a position of power after the fall. (2.451-6)

Milton however was not trying to express rebellion of the church, for he was a very devout Protestant. Milton however sets up the hierarchy of his Heaven with that of England. And Milton, while showing support of revolution for a cause, does not fully reject God’s authoritative power. Milton keeps God as the all-powerful leader; one of the few differences between his real life and the poem.

These are just a few examples of how Milton pulls his real life experiences into his epic poem. And even though freedom of press wasn’t as widely practiced (in fact Milton had to go into hiding around 1659) Milton still published the first version of Paradise Lost in 1667.

** background information taken from class and can also be found at: http://history.boisestate.edu/WESTCIV/english/

Rebecca R.