John Milton's The Areopagitica

John Milton, considered among the most distinguished authors of the English language, published the Areopagitica in 1644 as an appeal against the English Parliament’s Licensing Order of June 16th, 1643. The Areopagitica, although not considered Milton’s best work, is believed to be one of the most influential and timeless defenses to the basis of free speech and expression with applications to controversies throughout modern history. John Milton lived during a time of religious and political turbulence; throughout his life, England was separated by many differing beliefs and opinions. Milton took to the Parliamentarian movement, in support of the English governing body, during this time of political dissent. He addressed Areopagitica to Parliament …show more content…
to the great defamation of Religion and Government,” (Areopagitica, 55). John Milton argued that no publication should be subject to government approval, he states that this attempt at censorship would not be effective, due to its sheer number of proposed publications. Similar to Ancient Greek and Roman proceedings, John Milton believed that publications, if found libelous, should be subject to punishment. Although the Areopagitica was unsuccessful in eradicating the Licensing Order, it represents one of the first major appeals to the opposition of free speech. Further, it seems that John Milton’s arguments are still relevant in American society due to the numerous threats to our freedoms as citizens of the United States, especially in this 2016 presidential election …show more content…
Although Milton was born during the end of the reign of King James I, upon James’ death, England endured a period of political upheaval. King Charles I and Parliament’s relationship was distant and hostile from the beginning of his reign in 1625 after the death of his father, James. From 1625 to 1629, Charles I rid of Parliament three times and controlled his kingdom uninterrupted. Tensions were high among Charles I and Parliament for several rudimentary reasons, for one, Parliament did not appreciate Charles I constant “unauthorized” military spending. Moreover, Parliament did not feel comfortable with Charles’ I relationship with both Ireland and Scotland. Furthermore, Charles I and Parliament held opposing religious views as the King was Anglican and his wife, Catholic, while Parliament was primarily Puritan (Plant, 2013). In 1642, civil war broke out in England and Scotland, on one side were the Parliamentarians, considered the roundheads, in which supported the interests of Parliaments. English Parliament was primarily supported by the people of the southern and eastern regions of England. The Parliamentarians were committed to the Church of England, Puritanism and fought for democracy (Rickard, 2000). In opposition, were the Royalist, termed the Cavaliers, who supported their conservative monarch, King Charles I. The Cavalier movement was contrived primarily of individuals from the northern and western