The Historical context
of
Paradise
Lost
What is Paradise Lost?
• It is an epic poem written in
blank verse. It was divided into
10 books when it was first written
(now it is made up of 12 books).
• The story centers around two
protagonists, Adam and Eve, and
their expulsion from Eden.
• It was published in 1667 in
England, although written by
John Milton several years before.
• Milton was blind when it was
written: it was transcribed for
him.
• It is often regarded as one of the
greatest works of British
literature and poetry.
Milton and The English
Revolution
• The violent English Civil War and the English Revolution
occurred from 1642-1651, and Milton was heavily involved
in in these conflicts, strongly opposing the monarchy and
the church in favor of a Puritan Commonwealth.
• The conflict was chiefly between “Parliamentarians and
Royalists” regarding the validity of divine right, and how
much freedom a monarch should have.
• In 1641 Milton published Of Reformation Touching
Church-Discipline in England, his first of many political
publications.
• “The general thrust of his political writings is towards
Puritan reformation in the church, and the replacement of
the monarchy with a free commonwealth.”
The English Restoration
• In 1649, after a long power struggle, King
Charles I was executed for treason.
• “For the next decade England had no monarch.
Initially, a Commonwealth was formed and
England was ruled by a republican government”
• “In 1653 Oliver Cromwell became Lord
Protector, essentially a military dictator. He was
succeeded by his son Richard in 1658, but
because of faction fighting and Richard's lack of
popularity as a leader, the republic failed.”
• “Charles II, the executed monarch's son, was
declared King in the Restoration of 1660.”
• Milton was somewhat depressed after this turn
of events, as he had strongly supported the
republic, and had even worked for the Oliver
Cromwell.
• Paradise Lost was Milton’s first work after the
Restoration, and he considered it divinely
inspired
Why was it published so late?
• There was much instability during Milton’s time in England
• The English Civil War and the English Revolution occurred
• The Anglo-Dutch war of 1665 caused a paper shortage
• A plague, and the great fire of London disoriented the people
• People were perceiving religion and society as corrupt, and many started
to favor Puritanism
• Paradise Lost was considered controversial and hostile towards the
monarchy and the church: this was especially stunting at such a delicate time
(after the revolution’s failure)
• Poets after the Restoration had less freedom, as they had to apply for a
license
– Thomas Tomkins, the licenser and chaplain to the Archbishop of
Canterbury rejected Milton’s license at first because of it’s anti-monarchy
stands.
How did it get published?
• Samuel Simmons, an English
printer published Paradise Lost.
– Simmons's presses were
among the few unharmed
by the Great Fire.
– Simmon’s father had
printed several of Milton's
prose works.
– Simmons had a reputation
for printing controversial
texts
What made Paradise Lost so
Controversial?
• In general, Paradise Lost was anti-monarchy, and expressed the idea
of regicide, or the killing of monarchs.
• Aspects in the poem parallel with the political strife in England at the
time. For example, “Satan's attempts to rouse the fallen angels in
Book I really are reminiscent of Milton's desire to rally support for
the Cromwellian government”.
• Milton gives human traits to divine beings.
• Milton said his intent was “justify the ways of God to man” by writing
it.
– Milton attempted to create his own “Theodicy”, or his own
explanation, mythology and moral system of Christianity.
– Above all, he, like many other writers aimed to justify the
presence of evil in relation to a “compassionate and good”
Christian God.
Milton’s Edits
•
Although Paradise Lost was originally printed in 1667, that version is not the one we
know today.
– In 1668 Milton added 14 pages, a letter from Simons the publisher, and
introductory “arguments” for each book. “These things were compiled at the
beginning because the type was not reset”.
– In 1669 Milton’s “contract was fulfilled” when he sold his first 1300 copies
– A second edition was printed in 1674, quite a few changes were made.
• The lengthy 7th and 10th books were divided into two, making a total of 12
books (This could qualify it as a “half-epic” poem)
• It was changed from a quarto to an octavo poem
• It no longer had line numbers
• Each argument appeared before their respective book, and not in the very
beginning
• It included two extra poems and a portrait of Milton.
Works Cited
• http://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/darknessvisible/politics.html
• http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/intro/in
dex.shtml
• http://mason.gmu.edu/~ayadav/historical%20outline/overvie
w.htm
• Paradise Lost: Overview. Timothy C. Miller.Reference
Guide to English Literature. Ed. D. L.
Kirkpatrick. 2nd ed. Chicago: St. James Press, 1991. Word
Count: 2028. From Literature Resource Center.
• Paradise Lost. Merriam Webster's Encyclopedia of
Literature. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1995. Word
Count: 358. From Literature Resource Center.