The Norton Library Podcast Milton Retweets His Way to Revolution (Well, He Tries) (Paradise Lost, Part 1)
Feb 10, 2025
Stephen B. Dobranski, Distinguished University Professor of English and an expert on Milton, dives into the tumultuous life of John Milton amid the chaos of 17th-century England. He explores Milton's shift from priesthood to prolific author, his role as a polemicist during the Civil Wars, and the political implications of his epic, Paradise Lost. Dobranski sheds light on the nuanced portrayal of Eve and Milton's psychological depth in tackling themes of faith and revolution, making the poet's work relevant even today.
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Milton's Early Self-Conscious Ambition
- John Milton wrote down his exact birth time and was intensely self-conscious about his future literary fame.
- Stephen B. Dobranski says Milton aimed to write so his works "would not willingly let [them] die."
Turning From Priesthood To Polemics
- Milton abandoned plans for the priesthood because he felt church and state were corrupt and he needed to write.
- Dobranski argues Milton shifted to professional writing and teaching to act on his conscience.
Religious Dispute Escalates Into Revolution
- The British Civil Wars began as religious disputes over uniform worship and escalated into political conflict about monarchical power.
- Dobranski explains Milton came to despise monarchy for limiting individual liberty.