Humanism in John Milton's Paradise Lost
Humanism as the specific system of views had been forming for centuries, absorbing various approaches to the issue of man. As a rule, humanism is defined in terms of several essential meanings. One of these meanings of humanism is the movement of educated people united by the interest in antiquity which was formed in the Renaissance mainly in Italy. Besides, humanism is understood as a special type of philosophical ideology, in the centre of which there is man as an individual with his goals and aspirations, with abilities and inclinations that are typical of his nature. Another meaning of humanism is humanity as a basic principle of man’s attitude to man. Humanism during the Renaissance, despite its opposition to medieval religious ideology, is its successor in many aspects since antiquity and Christianity, despite their ideological contradictions, comprised a range of some similar features, the most important of which was the view that humans are more important than anything else. That is why humanists did not idealise a ‘natural’ man, not enlightened with knowledge and not brought up morally, seeing in man only an opportunity of becoming a ‘real’ man. It meant the affirmation of necessity of man’s improvement and necessity of a certain moral and social ideal.
As it is generally known, the appearance and assertion of the term ‘humanism’ is connected with the Renaissance although the ideas of humanity and justice which are the essential points of this notion had been developing since the ancient times. Therefore, the literature written around the time of the Renaissance contains the ideas of humanism. Moreover, the authors who wrote already during the 17th century and represented the Neoclassicism proceeded with the ideas of humanism. John Milton, who grew out of the Renaissance and classical tradition, was one of such authors. He was the greatest Puritan poet and the first English revolutionary poet in the 17th century. Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’, written during
As it is generally known, the appearance and assertion of the term ‘humanism’ is connected with the Renaissance although the ideas of humanity and justice which are the essential points of this notion had been developing since the ancient times. Therefore, the literature written around the time of the Renaissance contains the ideas of humanism. Moreover, the authors who wrote already during the 17th century and represented the Neoclassicism proceeded with the ideas of humanism. John Milton, who grew out of the Renaissance and classical tradition, was one of such authors. He was the greatest Puritan poet and the first English revolutionary poet in the 17th century. Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost’, written during
Bibliography: 1. An Anthology of English Literature of the Earlier 17th Century (1603 – 1660). Arranged and introduced by Ināra Penēze. SIA ‘Elpa-2’, 2000. 2. Knott, R. Milton’s Pastoral Vision. Chicago, 1971. 3. Melchert, N. The Great Conversation: A Historical Introduction to Philosophy. McGraw Hill, 2002 4. Miller, M. John Milton: Poetry. Boston, 1978. 5. Milton, J. Paradise Lost. Penguin Classics, 2003. 6. Personal notes on Renaissance literature and literature of Classicism