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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 10 page research paper that examines the social critique in Milton's Paradise Lost and Comus. The writer argues that to fully appreciate Milton's social perspective, one has consider the historical context of seventeenth century England. Comus was written early in Milton's career in 1634 and reflects his Puritan orientation towards what he perceived as Cavalier licentiousness (Lewalski 56). The backdrop for Paradise Lost is the declining years of the English republic and the beginning of the Restoration. Examination of these texts demonstrates how Milton hid a subversive, politically-oriented message within both of these works. Bibliography lists 5 sources.
Page Count:
10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khmilsc.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
early in Miltons career in 1634 and reflects his Puritan orientation towards what he perceived as Cavalier licentiousness (Lewalski 56). The backdrop for Paradise Lost is the declining years of
the English republic and the beginning of the Restoration. Examination of these texts demonstrates how Milton hid a subversive, politically-oriented message within both of these works. The English Civil
War marked the rise of Protestant political activism, primarily Puritan activism, which opposed the rule of Charles I (Ohlmeyer 16). Opposing the Puritans (or "Roundheads" as they were known
due to their short hair) were the Royalists (also known as "Cavaliers"). In the years prior to the conflict, these two political factions squared off against each other in
what Lewalski terms as "culture wars" (55). In November of 1632, William Prynne published his Historio-Mastix, a 1000 page diatribe that firmly laid out the Puritan position on entertainment, as
it denounced stage plays, masques, may poles, rural festivals, stained glass windows and much more (Lewalski 55). In 1634, in his Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, later renamed Comus by
the publisher, Milton staked out his position as a reformist poet (Lewalski 56). The fact that Milton wrote a masque at all repudiates Prynnes categorical prohibitions against all entertainment. However,
Milton composes this work so that it carries a "fierce critique of court politics and aesthetics" (Lewalski 56). A masque was a form of Renaissance musical comedy that was
usually performed at the home of a wealthy patron of the arts. They were usually pictured as having pastoral settings and featured shepherds and shepherdesses as characters. Comus opens with
a speech by an Attendant Spirit who bears the responsibility of guarding the two sons and virginal daughter of specific family. Comus is the son of Bacchus, the Greek god
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