John Milton Book summary

Milton was born in December of 1608 to John Milton Sr. who was a scrivener and a moneylender, a kind of banker at that time. John Milton received a peerless education from his father's sponsorship and concluded formal education at the age of 24 when he completed his MA from the University of Cambridge. At the time, it was customary for graduating students from such a course to enter the Church, but Milton decided against a career in the church, and instead returned home. His father continued to support Milton as he remained on the estate and continued his education privately from his mid to late twenties, Milton read all of the classic texts and engrossed himself in their analysis. His ability with the Latin language was prominent from a young age and later led to him receiving an important office when the non-monarchical government of Britain was set in place after the Puritan Rebellion.

Milton had after his first marriage, taken a controversial position by advocating the cause of divorce, for his first marriage with Mary Powell had nearly failed. And in later times, his political pamphlets, particularly those defending the right of the population to commit regicide were circulated widely, and Milton was seen to occupy the role of the lead propagandist for the government. When Milton began to lose his eyesight, he had in certain letters to his friends, claimed that he had sacrificed his eyesight for the benefit of his nation as he had continued to draft political pamphlets even when they had begun to be detrimental to his eyesight. In other communications, Milton reveals to be in doubt about why he had lost his eyesight and can be seen to request his doctor for a cure. Other great works from the poet are Aeropagitica, On the Morning of Christ's Nativity, Samson Agoniste, Paradise Regained, and several others.