The Endless Kingdom: Milton's Scriptural Societyin 1644, Milton envisioned society as a manifestation of the dynamic energy he discovered in scriptural texts: England was potentially a nation of emancipated, prophetic citizens. in 1660, writing in opposition to the restoration of the monarchy, Milton lamented England's lapse from prophetic potential to political idolatry; nevertheless, he continued to explore the cultural centrality of the Bible in the context of political reversal. His three major poems- 'Paradise Lost', 'Paradise Regained' and 'Samson Agonistes'- renew his earlier vision of a dynamic, scriptural society by affirming the vital inwardnessof conscience and criticism. |
Contents
Scripture and Society | 9 |
Wisdom and Perception | 63 |
Wisdom and Opposition | 99 |
Copyright | |
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Common terms and phrases
action Adam appear Areopagitica argues authority Bible biblical body Book calls Cambridge central character Charles Chorus Christ Christian Civil concern condition conscience consists contrast counterorder critical culture Dalila death discourse divine Ecclesiastes England English example experience Fall force God's Gospels happiness human Ibid individual interpretation James Jesus John Judges King kingdom knowledge liberty London Lord major poems Mary material meaning metaphor Milton monarchy narrative nature observes offers opposition Paradise Lost Paradise Regained perception person perspective poem political precepts present prophetic Proverbs providence readers reading reason recognition Restoration rhetorical Samson Agonistes Satan sayings scripture seeks sense sermon social society speak spiritual structure suggests temple temptation thee theory things Thomas thou tion tradition true truth typological University Press vision voice wisdom writing