John Milton

John Milton (December 9, 1608 – November 8, 1674) was an English poet, most famous for his blank verse epic Paradise Lost. He is also remembered for authoring the brief epic Paradise Regained, the closet drama Samson Agonistes, the monody Lycidas, and Areopagitica, a prose work that condemns pre-publishing censorship.

Literary Influences

Due to the extensive linguistic expertise and wide range of interests pursued by Milton, literary scholars have unearthed a formidable array of probable influences upon Milton?s literary work. However, it can be said with some confidence that Milton?s knowledge of the Bible, Early Church Fathers, Reformation theological controversies, and the Classical tradition was unsurpassed by any other recognised literary figure of his age. Despite the comprehensive scope of Milton?s intellectual enquiry, crucial influences upon Milton?s literary work can be easily found and include the Biblical books of Genesis,{{fn|*}} Job, and Psalms{{fn|*}}, Homer, Virgil{{fn|*}} and Lucan.{{fn|*}} Milton?s favourite historian was Sallust; however, though Milton?s work often betrays his classical and biblical influences, allusions to Spenser,{{fn|*}} Sidney,{{fn|*}} Donne{{fn|*}} and Shakespeare{{fn|*}} are also detectable; some commentators have suggested that Milton also sought to undermine the tropes and style of cavalier poets such John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester and Sir John Suckling in the conversations of Adam and Eve.{{fn|*}}

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