John Milton was een Engelse dichter, polemist en letterkundige die schreef in een tijd van religieuze veranderingen en politieke omwentelingen. Zijn werk weerspiegelt diepe persoonlijke overtuigingen, een passie voor vrijheid en zelfbeschikking, en de dringende problemen en turbulenties van zijn tijd. Hij is vooral bekend om zijn epische gedicht, een meesterwerk geschreven in blank verse, dat geldt als een van de hoogtepunten van de Engelse literatuur. Miltons geschriften, gekleurd door zijn republikeinse idealen, blijven tot op de dag van vandaag debat en bewondering inspireren.
The book features William Blake's exquisite watercolors that bring to life John Milton's celebrated shorter poems, L'Allegro and Il Penseroso. This artistic collaboration highlights the interplay between visual art and literature, showcasing Blake's unique interpretation and enhancing the themes of joy and contemplation found in Milton's work. The illustrations serve as a revelation, merging literary and artistic excellence in a profound exploration of human experience.
This book is part of the TREDITION CLASSICS series, aimed at reviving public domain literature in print. TREDITION supports non-profit literary projects and donates a portion of proceeds to them. By reading a TREDITION CLASSICS book, you help preserve significant works of world literature.
Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste Brought death into the world... Sing heavenly muse' From almost the moment of its first publication in 1667, Paradise Lost was considered a classic. It is difficult now to appreciate both how audacious an undertaking it represents, and how astonishing its immediate and continued success was. Over the course of twelve books Milton wrote an epic poem that would 'justify the ways of God to men', a mission that required a complex drama whose source is both historical and deeply personal. The struggle for ascendancy between God and Satan is played out across hell, heaven, and earth but the consequences of the Fall are all too humanly tragic - pride, ambition, and aspiration the motivating forces. In this new edition derived from their acclaimed Oxford Authors text, Stephen Orgel and Jonathan Goldberg discuss the complexity of Milton's poem in a new introduction, and on-page notes explainits language and allusions.
Focusing on John Milton's significant contributions to political thought, this volume features two pivotal texts: "The Tenure of Kings and the Magistrates," a radical defense of regicide, and "A Defence of the People of England," which justifies the Commonwealth's cause to Europe. This edition is notable for its fully annotated versions and a new translation of the latter work. An introduction explores the ideological complexities of Milton's time, complemented by a chronology of his life, a select bibliography, and biographies of key figures mentioned.
Exploring themes of poetic melancholy, the speaker in this reflective ode seeks to replace "vain deluding Joys" with "divinest Melancholy" to inspire future verses. The work serves as a companion to L'Allegro, contrasting mirth with a deeper introspection. The speaker idealizes melancholy as a pathway to prophetic insight, and the poem unfolds in couplets of iambic tetrameter, creating a rhythmic exploration of the profound emotions associated with contemplation and reflection in art.
The book is a facsimile reprint of a scarce antiquarian work, preserving its historical significance. As it is an older publication, readers may encounter imperfections like marks, notations, or flawed pages. The reprint aims to uphold the cultural importance of the original text, making it accessible in a high-quality format that remains true to its initial presentation. This effort reflects a commitment to protecting and promoting literature for future generations.
The work presents a passionate argument against censorship and licensing, advocating for the freedom of speech and expression. John Milton articulates the importance of unlicensed printing, emphasizing its role in fostering truth and knowledge. This influential prose piece has significantly shaped modern notions of free speech, reflecting the philosophical underpinnings that continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about individual liberties and the role of government in regulating expression.
John Milton was a 17th century poet famed for his two epic poems Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. Milton came under scrutiny for his radical political views and his heretical religious beliefs. T S Eliot in particular wrote against Milton. Milton writes in Paradise Regained about Jesus' temptation in the wilderness. He speaks of his hunger both spiritually and physically. Satan is seen with the fallen angels plotting on how to conquer Jesus. An excerpt reads as follows. "Think not so slight of glory, therein least Resembling thy great Father. He seeks glory, And for his glory all things made, all things Orders and governs; nor content in Heaven, By all his Angels glorified, requires Glory from men, from all men, good or bad, Wise or unwise, no difference, no exemption. Above all sacrifice, or hallowed gift, Glory he requires, and glory he receives, Promiscuous from all nations, Jew, or Greek, Or Barbarous, nor exception hath declared; From us, his foes pronounced, glory he exacts."
Milton's 'Paradise Lost' is a poem of epic proportions that tells of Satan's attempts to mislead Eve into disobeying God in the Garden of Eden, by eating from the tree of knowledge. In his sequel poem, 'Paradise Regained', Milton shows Satan trying to seduce Jesus in a similar way to Eve.
Spans John Milton's career, from his earliest works to the magnificent epics of his later life. This volume includes considerable selections from Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained - Milton's late epics on the Fall of Man and Christ's Temptation in the Wilderness.
