John Milon (1608-1674) 约翰·米尔顿_英国文学.docVIP

John Milton (1608-1674) 约翰·米尔顿 I. The life and main works of John Milton Milton is the greatest writer of the seventeenth century, one of the giants in English literature. Milton was born in London. His education began at St Paul’s school, where he showed talent for mastering the ancient language and literatures: Greek, Latin and Hebrew. He graduated B.A（Bachelor of Arts 文学士） in 1629 and M.A（Master of Arts文科硕士） in 1632 at Cambridge University. After that, he retired for five years to his father’s country house in Buckinghamshire, where he read ancient and modern writings. His poetic compositions came only occasionally during this period of intense private study. In 1634 he wrote a masque（假面剧） called Comuns 《科马斯》at the request of an aristocratic family who lived nearby. In 1637 he wrote the finest pastoral(田园诗的) elegy （田园诗）in English, Lycidas《列西达斯》. In 1638 he left England to complete his education with two years of travel in Europe. After his return to England, he soon plunged himself into the struggle for which he had long been preparing. At that time, the Church of England was the major bulwark(壁垒) of the monarchy. Vigorous attacks were made on the Church of England as well as on the king. Milton was stirred（inspired） by the controversy and wrote a series of pamphlets(小册子), in which he urged the necessity of a thorough religious reform. After the Revolution succeeded, the commonwealth was established, Milton wrote a number of pamphlets defending the English revolution, such as Defence of the English People (《为英国人民声辩》), and Second Defence of the English People(《再为英国人民声辩》). He played an active role in public affairs during the Civil War and the Commonwealth. Milton was married to Mary Powell in 1642. Six weeks after the marriage she left to her parents, and for several years Milton issued pamphlets in which he argued that all Englishmen should have the right to get a divorce. When King Charles I was executed in 1649, Milton defended the parliament befo