U7 L2 John Milton Flashcards
When was John Milton born?
December 9, 1608
Who were John Milton’s parents?
- prosperous Puritan lawyer
- amateur composer
From 1615 to 1625, Milton was privately educated in which school?
St. Paul’s school
In 1629, what was the name of Milton’s first major poem?
On The Morning of Christ’s Nativity
In 1631, what were the companion poems Milton wrote?
- L’ Allegro
- iL Penseroso
What is L’ Allegro is Il Penseroso about?
two contrasting ways of living:
- mirth: active, social
- melancholy: contemplative life
Why did Milton not enter the Anglican ministry?
he felt he was unsuited
In 1634, what was the drama Milton presented?
Comus
What is the theme of Comus?
Virtue
Why was the year 1637 the beginning of a difficult period for Milton?
His faith was tested
What was the poem Milton composed in memorial of a student?
Lycidas
Who was Lycidas dedicated to?
Charles King
Is it likely Charles King was a close friend of Milton?
no
Where did Charles King die?
at sea
What does Lycidas deal with? And what does he conclude with?
- loss of promising life
- loss of loved ones
- injustices, uncertainties of life
- condemn insincere clerics
- question his and friend’s soul future
- rejoice in eternal life of Lycidas/rep friend’s life
From 1638 to 1639, what was Milton doing?
traveled and studied on the continent, mainly in Italy
From 1638 to 1639, what scientist did Milton meet?
Galileo
From 1638 to 1639, why was Milton’s trip cut short?
- death of friend, Charles Diodati
- homeland was on brink of civil war
In 1644, what did Milton publish?
- Of Education
- Aeropagitica
What was ‘Of Education’ and ‘Aeropagitica’ about?
O- ex importance of broadly based education
A- plea for freedom of press and thought
In 1649, what did Milton publish?
- Tenure of Kings and Magistrates
- Eikonoklastes (image-breaker)
‘Tenure of Kings and Magistrates’ and ‘Eikonoklastes’ were published in response to what?
- Eikon Basilike (image of royalty
- Charles I, eve of execution
- portrayed as victim/martyr
What did ‘Tenure of Kings and Magistrates’ and ‘Eikonoklastes’ defend and endorse?
- parliament
- rights of people to execute tyrannical kings
- execution of Charles I
Milton’s publications caused him to be noticed by who?
Oliver Cromwell, de facto head of new Commonwealth
What did Oliver Cromwell want to appoint Milton was?
Latin Secretary in Cromwell’s Office of Foreign Affairs
In 1651, what did Milton publish? What did it defend?
- Joannis Miltoni
- Angli Pro Populo Anglicano Defensio
- Parliament and Charles I’s execution
What were the problems that occurred to Milton in 1652?
- wife dies in childbirth
- blind
- Commonwealth failing
What problem occurred to Milton in 1658?
second wife dies in childbirth
Charles II’s restoration in 1660 caused Milton to be what?
arrested, fined, and imprisoned for a while
Who persuaded Parliament to grant clemency for Milton?
Andrew Marvell
In 1671, what was the shorter epic and dramatic poem Milton published?
- Paradise Regained
- Samson Agonistes
What works allow readers to understand Milton’s sufferings and temptations?
- Paradise Regained
- Samson Agonistes
What does Paradise Regained deal with?
- Christ and Satan debate
- S tries to tempt Jesus into wilderness
- follows biblical account except Milton’s Satan attractively offers Jesus political power
What does Samson Agoniste deal with?
- Biblical Samson
- prays for forgiveness bc downfall by disobeying God
How are Samson and Milton similar?
both were blind
When did Milton die?
1674
What is a cleric?
clergy member
What does contemplative mean?
concentration on spiritual/abstract things
What does elevated mean?
on high plane morally/intellectually
