Historical context (AO3)

Mary Powell

Milton’s first wife, who he married in 1942 only for her to return to her parents in Oxford two years later.

Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce

The first addition of the divorce tracts, which were published between 1943-1945.

Areopagitica

The freedom of press pamphlet written by Milton in 1644.

Star council chamber

Where all manuscripts were sent to be approved by a government body. This ensured only books which fully supported the king were published.

‘discouragement of all learning, and the stop of Truth‘

What Milton argues happens due to no freedom of press. Believes those it is trying to target will publish anyway, but beneficial items will be censored.

‘knowledge of good is….interwoven with the knowledge of evil.‘

Milton argues that evil is allowed by God so that good can be recognised, and the government should follow suit. He also believed that virtue was exercised by rejecting evil.

Katherine Woodcock

His second marriage wife who is often referred to as his truest love. She died 15 months after their marriage with her baby.

Elizabeth Minshull

His third, and final wife, who he married in 1663. This was engineered by his friends, so she could look after the blind Milton, and she helped him write Paradise Lost.

‘restore the much wrong’d and over-sorrow’d state of matrimony‘

Milton describing the state of marriage in the Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce. He believes this is due to the Church’s laws on divorce.

‘to that serene and blissful condition it was at the beginning‘

His description of marriage before sin in the Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce. Could be seen as contradicting his description of Adam and Eve within Paradise Lost.

‘against the evil of a solitary life‘

What Milton’s deems the most important reason for marriage, even before children. Written in the Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce.

‘woman was created for man, and not man for woman?‘

Milton on women in the second edition of his divorce tracts. Invoked St Paul to attack female pride in order to support divorce.

‘for what God, after better, worse would build‘

Said by Soheman, a feminist in this period who invoked the argument that man was not superior as he was made second.

‘souls’ union and commixture of intellectual delight‘

How Milton described marriage in his Divorce Tracts, linking to the idea of the Greek view of souls as separated and then rejoining.

Calvin

Believed that God was desired by the Fall to make humankind dependent on Christ’s salvation to reach heaven. This is known as Calvin’s horrible consequence. Also believed that individual faith was more important than attending Church.

3 (three)

Book where God explains he knew Satan and Adam would fall, but did not ensure or determine this happening.

‘all men naturally were born free … born to command and not to obey‘

Written in ‘On the Tenure of Kings and Magistrates’, which states that men are naturally free and that the existence of King’s infringes on this. Opposes the common view of the great chain of being.

On the Tenure of Kings and Magistrates

Written during Charles 1’s trial, advocating for regicide.

Secretary for Foreign Tongues

The role Milton served in the new commonwealth, as he was a master of Latin letters and this was the lingua franca of the day. He justified and explained decisions of the new Council to critics home and abroad, including propaganda and foreign communication.

A Ready and Easy Way to Establish a Free Commonwealth

Written by Milton right before Charles 2 arrived from France, arguing the English people feebly gave away their newly recovered freedom. He was forced into hiding while his previous works were burned.

Acts of Oblivion

Act that pardoned most who opposed Charles 2, allowing Milton to leave hiding.

Marvell

Poet who intervened in Milton’s brief arrest in 1659, allowing him to be released to retire quietly and write poetry. His blindness also likely contributed to this.

Galilieo

Milton supposedly met him in Florence, inspiring his heliocentric views. He had a fascination with science and scientific discovery.

‘A deal of courage in each bosom springs by your access‘.

Quote by fellow poet Herrick - a Cavalier. Supports the idea of the invincibility of the army of lovers as Plato describes, which Milton also describes.

‘Tis not the meat, but ‘tis the appetite Makes eating a delight‘.

Written by Suckling - a Cavelier. Directly discusses and encourages lust, which Milton vehemently opposes a Puritan, showing Adam and Eve as sinful for doing so.

‘justify the ways of god to man‘

One of Milton’s reasons for writing PL, written in the opening for PL.

‘jingling sound of like endings‘

How Milton disdainfully regarded rhyming poetry.

Dactylic hexameter

The Latin version of iambic pentameter, used by Homer and Virgil.

5 (five)

Book where Eve serves Raphael and Adam dinner, and has a dream of her future sin of eating from the tree of knowledge.

4 (four)

Book where Satan is caught attempting to tempt Eve by whispering in her ear.

8 (eight)

Book where Eve prefers to listen to a story from Adam over Raphael, as he will intermix the story with carresses and kisses.