Humanism in John Miltons Paradise Lost - 2072 Words

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†¦show more content†¦In ‘Paradise Lost’, the pastoral takes the central place, several chapters in the middle of the poem. In Milton’s Paradise, familiar pastoral motives of harmony of man and nature, leisure and labour in the open air, innocent love of the main characters are elevated because everything there is the result of the harmonious unity of all the creatures and their direct communication with God, the ideal which was lost forever after man’s Fall. It is important to pay attention that Milton describes paradisiacal bliss which became out of man’s reach due to original sin with the eyes of the fallen angel Satan, who also can observe this felicity only from aside, who ‘saw, undelighted, all delight’. Adam and Eve, seen by envious Satan, clearly embody religiously humanistic ideals: ‘And worthy seemed; for in their looks divine The image of their glorious Maker shone, Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure, (Severe, but in true filial freedom placed)...’ Adam and Eve live in perfect freedom which agrees with the will of God. Vice is alien to them. They both are physically beautiful and ‘In naked majesty seemed lords of all’. Milton reveals the first humans as fully real natural creatures and at the same time as half-allegorical figures which personify man’s and women’s origin in human: ‘For contemplation he and valour formed; For softness she and sweet attractive grace; He for GodShow MoreRelatedBlending of Renaissance and Reformation in Paradise Lost2288 Words   |  10 PagesJohn Milton (1608-1674) is a religious person and a god fearing man. He is also a great writer who wrote in a grand style. As a god fearing man, Milton writes his Paradise Lost, on the basis of religion, Bible and as a great writer he advances his writing in a classical manner. The theme of Paradise Lost is Biblical as it shows the wrongdoing of Adam and Eve by the influence of Satan and the justice of God for sinners. Milton writes Paradise Lost in such a style which holds classical flavor. So,Read More John Miltons Struggle With Society Essay2172 Words   |  9 PagesJohn Miltons Struggle With Society John Milton, unlike so many other authors and public figures during the English Civil War, is remarkably easy to place within a historical context. As a vocal supporter of the Commonwealth, Milton left a great deal of information and writings behind to explain precisely how he fit into 17th century England. As Secretary for Foreign Tongues, or Latin Secretary, he worked closely with many of the foremost members of the anti-monarchial regime, such as OliverRead More The Renaissance and Humanism Essay1795 Words   |  8 PagesThe Renaissance and Humanism You may wonder about, The Renaissance and its relationship to another term, humanism which fits into the same time period. If you check the dictionary, you will find that both terms can be used in a broad sense or more specifically. Humanism refers generally to a devotion to the humanities: literary culture. (My definitions come from Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary). According to that definition we should all be humanists. The other general meaningRead MorePeriods of English Literature1515 Words   |  7 PagesShakespeare’s â€Å"To be or not to be† sonnet, and many others. The men of the period wrote about their lives in their poetry, with its many hues of passion, emotion, tragedy and triumph. The main characteristic of the Renaissance period is the Renaissance humanism, a claim of the dignity of man against hatred. Shakespeare had an image of man as he was before the Fall, and as he is still capable of being. Shakespeare also placed man between the angels and the beasts in the chain of Being that was an importantRead MoreEveryman and the Bible: Exploring Good Deeds, Faith, and Salvation2306 Words   |  10 Pageskingdom. Everyman, as a morality play, does still have some Biblical truth and teaches a valuable lesson about life. Thomas J. Jambeck describes Everyman as a Bernadine humanism work, a work in which a man acts as â€Å"an active agent in the work of his own redemption† (109). William Munson echoes this idea, writing that Bernadine humanism gives emphasis to a persons motive, which is the reason why a person acts the way he does (252). Both authors agree that if knowledge is what a person uses to influence