Reading John Milton : how to persist in troubled times / Stephen B. Dobranski.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Dobranski, Stephen B., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Milton, John, 1608-1674.

Milton, John.

Poets, English--Early modern, 1500-1700--Biography.

Poets, English.

Physical Description:

xxiii, 302 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Stanford, CA : Stanford University Press, [2022]

Summary:

"A captivating biography that celebrates the audacious, inspiring life and works of John Milton, revealing how he speaks to our times. John Milton is unrivalled--for the music of his verse and the breadth of his learning. In this brisk, topical, and inspiring biography, Stephen B. Dobranski brushes the scholarly dust from the portrait of the artist to reveal Milton's essential humanity and his unwavering commitment to ideals--freedom of religion and the right and responsibility of all persons to think for themselves--that are still relevant and necessary in our times. Milton's epic poem, Paradise Lost , is considered by many to be English poetry's masterpiece. Samuel Johnson, not one for effusive praise, claimed that "from his books alone the Art of English Poetry might be learned." But, Milton's renown rests on more than his artistic achievements. In a time of convulsive political turmoil, he justified the killing of a king, pioneered free speech, and publicly defended divorce. He was, in short, an iconoclast, an independent, even revolutionary, thinker. He was also an imperfect man--acrimonious, sometimes mean. Above all, he understood adversity. Afflicted by blindness, illness, and political imprisonment, Milton always sought to "bear up and steer right onward" through life's hardships. Dobranski looks beyond Milton's academic standing, beyond his reputation as a dour and devout purist, to reveal the ongoing power of his works and the dauntless courage that he both wrote about and exemplified"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction

The power of language : "These defenseless doors"

Personal loss : "Weep no more"

Combating injustice : "Need not Kings to make them happy"

Physical suffering : "Only stand and wait"

Free speech : "Precious lifeblood"

Arrogance : "Pride and worse ambition"

Forgiveness : "Hand in hand with wand'ring steps"

Resisting temptation : "He who reigns within himself"

Doubt : "Strenuous liberty"

Surviving disaster : "By small / Accomplishing great things"

Epilogue.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

Other Format:

Print version: Dobranski, Stephen B. Reading John Milton

ISBN:

9781503633308

1503633306

OCLC:

1350571110