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| − | '''John Milton''' (1608–74) was an English poet and writer; he was the chief literary spokesman for the [[Puritan]] revolution. An intensely religious Protestant, Milton's most famous work is the epic poem ''[[Paradise Lost]]''. Many experts consider it the greatest epic poem in the English language. The poem was written in blank verse in 1658–63, when Milton was totally blind. | + | '''John Milton''' (1608–74) was an English poet and writer; he was the chief literary spokesman for the [[Puritan]] revolution. An intensely religious Protestant, Milton's most famous work is the epic poem ''[[Paradise Lost]]''. Many experts consider it the greatest epic poem in the English language. The poem was written in "blank verse" (meaning without rhyme, but often in rhythmic iambic pentameter) in 1658–63, when Milton was totally blind. |
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| | He was a graduate of Christ's College, Cambridge. | | He was a graduate of Christ's College, Cambridge. |
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| | :The happiness of a nation consists in true religion, [[piety]], justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude and the contempt of avarice and ambition. They in whomsoever these virtues dwell eminently, need not kings to make them happy, but are the architects of their own happiness, and whether to themselves or others are not less kings. | | :The happiness of a nation consists in true religion, [[piety]], justice, prudence, temperance, fortitude and the contempt of avarice and ambition. They in whomsoever these virtues dwell eminently, need not kings to make them happy, but are the architects of their own happiness, and whether to themselves or others are not less kings. |
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| − | Milton's ''Areopagitica'' (1644) strongly condemned the censorship of ideas and has become a canonical work regarding [[Freedom of Speech]]. In 1651 he became the chief of censorship for the new government, but used a light hand, suppressing only hose publications which directly incited the overthrow of the government. The Cromwellian system collapsed in 1660 with the Restoration of King Charles II, and Milton went into retirement to write his poem. | + | Milton's ''Areopagitica'' (1644) strongly condemned the censorship of ideas and has become a canonical work regarding [[freedom of speech]]. In 1651 he became the chief of censorship for the new government, but used a light hand, suppressing only hose publications which directly incited the overthrow of the government. The Cromwellian system collapsed in 1660 with the Restoration of King Charles II, and Milton went into retirement to write his poem. |
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| | ==Further reading== | | ==Further reading== |
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| | * Richmond, H. ''The Christian Revolutionary: John Milton'' (1974) | | * Richmond, H. ''The Christian Revolutionary: John Milton'' (1974) |
| | * Wedgwood, C.V. '' Milton and his world'' (1969) good introduction | | * Wedgwood, C.V. '' Milton and his world'' (1969) good introduction |
| − | * [http://www.questia.com/library/literature/literature-of-specific-countries/british-literature/17th-century/john-milton.jsp online books and articles on Milton] | + | * [http://www.questia.com/library/literature/literature-of-specific-countries/british-literature/17th-century/john-milton.jsp online books and articles on Milton) |
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| | ===Primary sources=== | | ===Primary sources=== |