John Milton and the English Revolution

John Milton (1608-74) is famous as perhaps the greatest of all English poets. This course will examine his life and career during one of the most turbulent periods in English history. It will locate his writings, in both poetry and prose, in the context of the dramatic political and religious upheavals of the English Revolution.

We will explore Milton’s writings through an extensive selection of extracts from primary sources, and use this material to reconstruct his attitudes and mental world, and the nature of his experiences during the Revolution. 

Throughout the course, the focus will be as much on Milton as a political thinker and polemicist as on his literary achievement.

Learning outcomes

1. Gain an understanding of Milton's life and career within the context of his times;
2. Identify and evaluate how Milton's view changed and developed over time;
3. Gain an understanding of Milton's writings and their impact on his times.