2. John Milton (1608-1674) Milton was born in London on December 9, 1609 as the son of a wealthy notary. He was educated at St. Paul's School. Milton received a Masters degree from Cambridge University in 1632

3. The beginning of the career He adopted no profession but spent six years at leisure in his father's home, writing during that time  ODE ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S NATIVITY, 1627  L'ALLEGRO, 1632  IL PENSEROSO, 1632  COMUS, 1634  LYCIDAS, 1637

4. Major Works  THE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE OF DIVORCE, 1643  OF EDUCATION, 1644  AREOPAGITICA, 1644  POEMS, 1645  THE TENURE OF KINGS AND MAGISTRATES, 1649  PRO POPULO ANGLICANO DEFENSIO, 1651 , 1660

5. EPICS  PARADISE LOST, 1667  SAMSON AGONISTES, 1671  PARADISE REGAINED, 1671  The theme of Fall and expulsion from Eden in Paradise Lost had been in Milton's mind from the 1640s. His ambition was to compose an epic poem to rival the ancient writers, such as Homer and Virgil

6.  He travelled in France and Italy in the late 1630s, meeting the astronomer Galileo Galilei in Florence - there are references to Galileo's telescope in Paradise Lost.  The Civil War silenced his poetic work for 20 years. War divided the country as Oliver Cromwell fought against the king, Charles I.

7.  Concerned with the Puritan cause, Milton wrote a series of pamphlets against episcopacy (1642), on divorce (1643), in defense of the liberty of the press (1644), and in support of the regicides (1649). He also served as the secretary for foreign languages in Cromwell's government.  After the death of Charles I, Milton published THE TENURE OF KINGS AND MAGISTRATES (1649) supporting the view that the people had the right to depose and punish tyrants.  In 1651 Milton became blind, but blindness helped him to stimulate his verbal richness

8.  In THE DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE OF DIVORCE (1643), Milton argued that a true marriage was of mind as well as of body. Though Milton was a Puritan, morally austere and conscientious, some of his religious beliefs were very unconventional, and came in conflict with the official Puritan stand.

9. Paradise Lost  Milton's achievement in the field of poetry was recognized after the appearance of Paradise Lost.  It was originally issued in 10 books in 1667, and in 12 books in the second edition of 1674.  Milton narrates the story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, explains how and why it happens, and places the story within the larger context of Satan’s rebellion and Jesus’ resurrection.  In essence, Paradise Lost presents two moral paths that one can take after disobedience:  the downward spiral of increasing sin and degradation, represented by Satan, and  the road to redemption, represented by Adam and Eve.

10.  Paradise Lost is a complex poem with its odd syntax, difficult vocabulary, and complex, but noble style. Moreover, its cosmic vision is not actually based on the Copernican system, but more on the traditional Christian cosmology of its day, where the Earth (and man) is the center of the universe, not the sun.

11.  Milton created a powerful and sympathetic portrait of Lucifer. His character bears similarities with Shakespeare's hero-villains Iago and Macbeth, whose personal ambition is transformed into metaphysical nihilism.

12. Major Characters  God: He creates the universe, heaven, hell, angels and man. He is omnipresent and omnipotent, but bestows man with free will to decide his actions.. Satan rebels against God, doubting his omnipotence and challenging his authority.  Satan: God's adversary. Once one of the highest-ranking Archangels in heaven (known as 'Lucifer' there), Satan's pride and rebellion cause him to be thrown down into hell, where he rules and establishes Pandemonium. He eventually destroys Paradise by assuming the shape of a serpent and tricking Eve into eating from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge. He is the father of Sin and Death.  Son: God's son and equal, who is given the power to judge man. He offers to become mortal to save man, but after crucifixion, he is resurrected.  Adam: The first human, created by God. The husband and 'ruler' of Eve, who was created from his rib. He is warned by Raphael not to transgress. He decides to join Eve in her mortality and against his better knowledge, follows her and eats the forbidden fruit. His punishment includes hard labor in the field and mortality.  Eve: The second human, created from Adam's rib. Adam's wife and often described both seductively and submissively. She is tricked by Satan into eating the forbidden fruit, and receives the punishment of becoming mortal and suffering pain in childbirth.  Raphael: The Archangel sent by God to warn Adam and Eve about Satan and remind them of their free will.  Michael: Archangel who, with Gabriel, leads the forces of good against Satan and his followers during their rebellion in heaven.. Later, he comes to escort Adam and Eve from Paradise, and tells them of both good and bad events, which will come to pass.

13. Minor Characters  Muse/Urania: Invoked by Milton at certain points in the poem to give him the inspiration to carry on.  Beelzebub: A fallen angel, and Satan's biggest supporter. A big advocate of the plan to sabotage Paradise and mortal man.  Moloch: A fallen angel. He thinks that open war should be waged against God and heaven.  Belial: A fallen angel. He thinks that hell isn't that bad, and if God isn't angered, he might remit the punishment of the fallen angels anyway.  Mammon: A fallen angel. He argues that it doesn't make any sense to worship someone you hate, and thinks that the fallen angels should make the best out of hell.  Sin: Satan's daughter, who sprung out of his head. Satan impregnated her, and she gave birth to Death. With Death, she guards the gates of hell. She is half woman and half dog.  Death: Son of Sin. He rapes her, begetting the dogs that eat her bowels. With Sin, he guards the gates of hell.  Chaos: Ruler of the abyss between hell and earth with his consort Night. He aids Satan in getting to earth.  Night: Chaos' consort. Rules the abyss with him, and aids Satan in getting to earth.  Uriel: Archangel of the sun. Uriel is fooled by Satan on his way to earth. Helps to later kick Satan out of Paradise.  Gabriel: Archangel and guard of the Paradise. He demands an explanation of Satan when he's found in Paradise.  Ithuriel: Archangel. With Zephon, he discovers Satan trying to whisper into Eve's ear in Paradise.  Zephon: Archangel. With Ithuriel, he discovers Satan trying to whisper into Eve's ear in Paradise.  Abdiel: Angel who originally goes to rebel with Satan, but stands up to him and chooses to remain faithful to God.