Literature and Politics in 17th Century London: Milton and Ralegh - Dr Anna Beer

TL;DR

Both Walter Raleigh and John Milton used new media, such as print, to convey political and social messages during the 17th century.

Transcript

good evening and thank you very much both the Museum of London and the Fulbright Commission and Gresham College for inviting me to give this talk you have here two books the history of the world on the Left written by Sir Walter Raleigh was published in 1614 here in London Paradise Lost written by John Milton was published in 1667 also in London bo... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Both Raleigh and Milton used publication as a means to reach a wider audience and convey their political messages.
• 😑 They navigated through pre-publication censorship by using anonymous publication and carefully crafting their works to avoid explicit criticism.
• 💦 The restoration of the monarchy posed a challenge to the publication of "Paradise Lost," but Milton was able to get the work published by timing its release and presenting it in an apolitical manner.
• ⏯️ Raleigh's use of new media, such as print, was a political act that aimed to challenge the authority of the state and elevate the status of plays in society.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Raleigh and Milton choose to publish their works despite the risks involved?

Both writers saw publication as a means to reach a wider audience and contribute to the political and social discussions of their time. Raleigh, specifically, aimed to challenge the authority of the state and contribute to the commonwealth through his publication.

Q: How did Raleigh and Milton navigate through the challenges posed by pre-publication censorship?

Raleigh used anonymous publication and clever tactics to bypass the censors and ensure his work reached readers. Milton, on the other hand, carefully crafted his works to avoid explicit criticism of the Stuart monarchy and presented his messages in a way that appeared to focus on literary themes rather than politics.

Q: How did social and political factors impact the publication of "Paradise Lost"?

The restoration of Charles II and the subsequent restrictions on political and religious dissent made the publication of "Paradise Lost" a risky endeavor. However, by carefully timing the release and presenting the work in a seemingly apolitical manner, Milton was able to get the work published and contribute to the ongoing political and social discussions.

Q: What was the significance of Raleigh's use of new media in his publications?

Raleigh's use of print to publish his works, such as "History of the World," was a political act aimed at challenging the authority of the state and contributing to the commonwealth. By using the format of a large folio, traditionally reserved for weighty theological and historical works, Raleigh aimed to elevate the status of plays and make them more acceptable and respected in society.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Both Raleigh and Milton used the publication of their works to reach a wider audience and convey their political messages.

• Raleigh's "History of the World" was published in 1614, despite his imprisonment, and aimed to contribute to the commonwealth by challenging the authority of the state.

• Milton's "Paradise Lost" was published in 1667, navigating through political censorship and presenting a subtle critique of the Stuart monarchy.