John Milton

John Milton was a preeminent English poet, polemicist, and civil servant.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language. His most famous work is the epic poem *Paradise Lost*, published in 1667. This poem is written in blank verse, which is unrhymed verse. Milton was the first modern writer to use this style outside of theater or translations. *Paradise Lost* consists of 12 books. It tells the story of the fall of man. The narrative includes the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan. It also describes God's expulsion of them from the Garden of Eden.

Milton's writing style was deeply influenced by his linguistic skills. He possessed a command of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, Spanish, and Italian. He even added Old English to his repertoire while researching his *History of Britain*. He used these languages to introduce new words into English. He coined these terms from Latin and Ancient Greek. His prose was also highly influential. His 1644 work, *Areopagitica*, is a famous defense of freedom of speech. It also defends freedom of the press by condemning pre-publication censorship.

Milton's life followed the major political divisions of Stuart England. He was born in London on December 9, 1608.

His father, John Milton, was a successful scrivener and a skilled composer. This musical background gave the poet a lifelong appreciation for music. Milton studied at St Paul's School, where he mastered Latin and Greek. He later attended Christ's College at the University of Cambridge. He graduated with a BA in 1629, ranking fourth among 24 honors graduates. He received his MA on July 3, 1632. During his time at Cambridge, he was known for his intense study habits.

After university, Milton engaged in years of intensive private study. He lived in Hammersmith and Horton, Berkshire, starting in 1635. He read extensively in theology, philosophy, history, politics, and science. He kept a commonplace book, which acted like a detailed scrapbook of his learning. This period of self-directed study helped him become one of the most learned poets. During this time, he wrote works like *Comus*, a masque about temperance and chastity. He also wrote the pastoral elegy *Lycidas*. His early drafts are preserved in the Trinity Manuscript at Trinity College, Cambridge.

In May 1638, Milton began a 15-month tour of France and Italy. He traveled to places like Paris, Nice, Genoa, and Florence. In Florence, he met the famous astronomer Galileo, who was under house arrest. This journey allowed him to experience new artistic and religious traditions. He met many famous intellectuals and theorists during his travels. He used these experiences to supplement his academic studies. His travels were documented in his work *Defensio Secunda*. While this work was intended as rhetoric to boost his reputation, it provides insight into his travels.

Milton also held significant political roles during the Commonwealth of England. He served as a civil servant under the Council of State. He also worked under the leader Oliver Cromwell. His political views were often considered radical or republican. This led to mixed reactions from later critics. The writer Samuel Johnson, a Tory, praised the design of *Paradise Lost*. However, Johnson also described Milton's politics as "acrimonious and surly." Despite political tensions, many great poets revered him. William Blake, William Wordsworth, and Thomas Hardy all admired his work.

In his later years, Milton faced significant personal challenges. The Restoration of 1660 resulted in the loss of much of his public platform. He also lost much of his vision during this period. Despite these difficulties, he used this time to develop his major works. By the time of his death in 1674, he was impoverished. He lived on the margins of English intellectual life. However, he remained famous throughout Europe. He was unrepentant regarding the political choices that put him at odds with the government. His legacy remains central to the study of English literature.