John Milton: Life, Works, and the English Civil War
John Milton: A Literary Giant of the 17th Century
John Milton stands as one of the most important writers of the 17th century, distinct from the Metaphysical or Cavalier poets of his time. He holds the distinction of being the first to write epic poetry in English literature. Born into a wealthy London family, a factor that significantly influenced his literary production, Milton dedicated his life to writing. He was proficient in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Italian, and even composed poems in Latin and Hebrew. From the age of 12, he was known for his dedication to his studies, often staying up late into the night. This allowed him to pursue his intellectual interests freely, aided by a personal tutor. However, his excessive reading led to the loss of sight in one eye, forcing him to adjust his routine. Two years later, he became completely blind.
Three Periods of Milton’s Literary Career
Milton’s literary career can be divided into three distinct periods:
- Youth and Learning (Cambridge and Early Works): This period is closely tied to his time at the University of Cambridge, where he immersed himself in literature and classical writers, demonstrating a remarkable intellectual capacity. He also studied mathematics and philosophy. His first significant poem, a religious work on the Nativity of Christ, was published when he was just 21 years old. After university, he spent six years at home and traveled to Italy to study architecture and further immerse himself in classical literature. However, the outbreak of the English Civil War prompted his return home.
- The Civil War (Political and Religious Writings): A staunch supporter of the Puritans, Milton actively opposed the monarchy during the Civil War. He contributed to the Puritan cause by writing religious works and political pamphlets. His first important pamphlet was a defense of divorce, a topic that became personal when his 17-year-old wife left him a month after their marriage (Milton was 34 at the time). She returned three years later, reportedly due to their significant age difference and her family’s Royalist sympathies. Milton, considered one of the most brilliant minds of his time, argued that the absence of love, not just infidelity, should be grounds for divorce. He considered it a crime to remain married without love. Another notable pamphlet championed freedom of expression and opposed censorship. He also wrote in favor of the execution of Charles I, asserting the people’s right to depose a monarch who did not submit to their will. This stance would later cause him significant problems. During this period, he lost his sight. His second wife and their baby died, inspiring him to write a sonnet about a vision of her smiling, offering him a glimpse of the joy he hoped to experience with her in heaven.
- Post-Civil War and the Restoration (Paradise Lost): Following the defeat of the Puritans and the Restoration of the monarchy, the body of Oliver Cromwell was exhumed, decapitated, and displayed publicly. Many Puritans were executed, imprisoned, or forced to flee abroad. Despite his significant contributions to the Puritan cause, Milton was largely overlooked, receiving only the position of official letter translator. He was viewed unfavorably by some poets for his defense of regicide. However, thanks in part to the intervention of Andrew Marvell, he was spared execution. He lost some of his possessions but went on to write his magnum opus, *Paradise Lost*. He later rearranged the poem into 12 books, mirroring the structure of Virgil’s *Aeneid*. Each book contains between 800 and 1200 lines. Like the *Aeneid*, *Paradise Lost* begins *in medias res*. The epic also features battles between good and evil angels, reminiscent of those in Homer’s *Iliad*. During this time, Milton also suffered from gout.