Milton had finished Paradise Lost in the 1660's, and it was published in 1667. Recall what historical event had occurred in 1660. It went through several editions, including the addition of the prose Argument ("Plot" summaries before each book of poetry). There are references (called topical--relating to a topic) throughout PL to the restoration which, of course he detested:

PL is written in form of a classical epic, for which you have a separate handout explaining its characteristics. Issues include Satan's rebellion and fall, creation of man, Satan's deception of Adam, and the promise of the redemption. Milton almost allows Satan to acquire a tragic dimension. What is topical about that?

THEOLOGY:

Milton wrote a long prose work in Latin called On Christian Doctrine: [CLICK HERE to access the works of Milton on line.] Being classically educated and relying on logic as means of understanding religious dogma along with the Bible and revelation, he argued some views--also reflected in PL--that were heretical in the conventional senses, such as:

1. Jesus created by God and not co-eternal ("...for a real son is not the same age as his father...God violated his own essence by begetting and equal")

2. God did not create out of nothing ("...a thing cannot be put together from nothing...something must have existed previously so it could be acted upon...")

Milton's view on predestination is most important for PL. His fundamental belief is in accepting free will of God, Satan and man as absolute. He says: "God before the foundation of the world had mercy on the human race, although it was going to fall of its own accord...[God] predestined to eternal salvation, according to his purpose in Christ those who would believe and continue in the faith." Milton argued that it would be useless to speculate about an individual man in this regard. This issue is also examined in PL.

SPECIFICS OF THE BELIEF:

Nature: "Nature cannot mean anything but the mysterious power and efficiency of the divine voice which went forth in the beginning, and to which, as to a perpetual command, all things have since paid obedience. The law of God is either written or unwritten, The unwritten law is no older than the law of nature given originally to Adam, and of which a certain remnant or imperfect illumination still dwells in the hearts of all mankind." This law he believes is kept alive by the holy spirit."

This law is very personal for Milton and he believes that it even could transcend biblical knowledge in terms of understanding God's will. Milton said: "We possess a two-fold Scripture--one external which is the written word, and the other internal which is the Holy Spirit, written in the hearts of believers...that which is internal and the particular possession of each believer, is far superior to all. The external Scripture or written word, particularly of the New Testament, has been liable to frequent corruption, but the Spirit which leads to truth cannot be corrupted."

Does Milton doing this allow him to advance a personal thesis? See opening of PL.

Bible Milton did not of course reject the Bible as a supreme way to understand the truth of God. He needed to rely on some authority in an age when traditional values were under fire.

PROBLEMS WITH MILTON'S BELIEFS:

Milton tends to use scripture to suit his own purposes. Recall the problems of reliable epistemology in terms of the relationship between mind and matter, and what truth could be known for certain.

1. Literal belief is the same as a concrete fact--Dr. Nighan is a genius. No one could doubt that fact. One could use the "scientific" method and confirm it.

2. Poetic belief is more complicated, and involves the use of metaphor (conceits) in terms of making comparisons that everyone might not accept. Dr. Nighan is like Aristotle in his brilliance. No, you argue, he is more like Plato.

Remember that in the 17th century, 1 and 2 above tended to blend--that is, the mixing of the scientific or literal with the transcending aspect of the poetic. Is the creation story, for example, a metaphor or a literal fact?

Milton does not always believe that Bible History must be taken literally, although at times he does--(paradox). He says: "It is out of the rind of one apple tested, that the knowledge of good and evil, as two twins cleaving together, leaped forth into the world. And perhaps that is the doom which Adam fell into of knowing good and evil; that is to say of knowing good by evil. Anyone who examines this sin carefully will admit, and rightly, that it was a most atrocious offense, and that it broke every part of the law...He was to be condemned for trusting Satan and not for trusting God, he was faithless, ungrateful, disobedient, greedy...she negligent of her husband' selfish both of them committed theft...each was sacrilegious and deceitful, cunning aspiring to divinity..."

Milton accepts therefore: 1. The fall of man is accepted as a spiritual given and Milton must accept it, but he does have problems with man's free will: "For if God rules all human actions by his absolute command, then he is not doing anything more than he is entitled to do, and no one need complain. But if he turns man's will to moral good or evil just as he likes, and then rewards the good and punishes the wicked, it will cause an outcry against divine justice from all sides. If religious matters were not under our control, or to some extent within our power and choice, God could not enter a covenant with us, and we could not keep it, let alone swear to keep it."

Man is therefore free to cooperate with the divine plan; if he does the "fall" is fortunate!!!

Why?...

"These abilities of the poet are the inspired gift of God rarely bestowed, but yet to some (though most abuse) in every nation and are of power, beside the office of a pulpit to inbreed and cherish in a great people the seeds of virtue, and public civility, to all the perturbations of the mind, and set the affections in right tune,...to celebrate God's almighty power...to deplore the general relapses of kingdoms and states from justice and God's true worship...Teaching the whole book of sanctity and virtue through all the instances of example, with such delight to those especially of soft and delicious temper who will not so much as look upon Truth unless they see her elegantly dressed that whereas the paths of honesty and good life appear not rugged and difficult. though they be indeed easy and pleasant though they were difficult indeed."

QUESTION: who influenced Milton's beliefs?

On the role of the poet:

"...devout prayer to that eternal spirit who can enrich with all utterances and knowledge, and sense out his angels with the hallowed fire of his alter to touch and purify the lips of whom he pleases. To this must be added industrious and select reading, steady observations, insight into all seemingly and generous arts and affairs."

RENAISSANCE IDEAS:

1..chain of being

2..earth as center of universe

3..macro/micro correspondences