Reading John Milton

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This captivating biography celebrates the audacious and inspiring life of John Milton, highlighting his relevance to contemporary issues. Renowned for the musicality of his verse and extensive knowledge, Milton's essential humanity and steadfast commitment to ideals like religious freedom and individual thought are brought to light. His epic poem, Paradise Lost, is often regarded as a masterpiece of English poetry, with Samuel Johnson asserting that it serves as a foundational text for the art of English poetry. However, Milton's legacy extends beyond his artistic contributions. Amid significant political upheaval, he justified regicide, championed free speech, and defended divorce, establishing himself as an iconoclast and revolutionary thinker. Despite his imperfections—sometimes acrimonious and mean—Milton’s understanding of adversity is profound. Afflicted by blindness, illness, and political imprisonment, he continually sought to "bear up and steer right onward" through life's challenges. This biography delves beyond Milton's academic reputation and the perception of him as a dour purist, revealing the enduring power of his works and the courageous spirit he embodied.