John Milton
Biography
John Milton (1608–1674) was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell. Born in London, he was educated at St Paul's School and Christ's College, Cambridge, where he began writing poetry in Latin, Italian, and English. A staunch Puritan and Republican, Milton dedicated much of his life to political and religious causes, writing numerous pamphlets advocating for civil liberties, divorce, and freedom of the press. Despite becoming completely blind by 1652, he continued his literary work, dictating his epic poems to amanuenses. His most famous work, 'Paradise Lost,' published in 1667, cemented his reputation as one of the greatest poets in the English language, exploring themes of sin, redemption, and free will within a grand biblical narrative. His legacy endures through his profound influence on subsequent literature and political thought.
Selected Thoughts
«The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.»
«Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heav'n.»
«Long is the way And hard, that out of Hell leads up to light.»
Writing Style
Milton's writing style is characterized by its grandiosity, elevated diction, and complex syntax, often employing Latinate vocabulary and classical allusions. He mastered the epic simile and blank verse, particularly in 'Paradise Lost,' creating a majestic and sonorous rhythm. His prose, though often polemical, is equally intellectual and rhetorically powerful, demonstrating a profound command of language and an intricate logical structure. His style is formal, erudite, and demanding, yet capable of immense beauty and intellectual depth.