Look up the English (rightly put, a British Isle and Irish) Civil War. What was King Charles 1 attempting to do? Why did the English and Scottish Parliament have such a problem with this dude? Who was Oliver Cromwell? Although some parts of Great Britain admonished him, Wales, the Scots, and the Irish detested the man. Explain.
How does John Milton fit into the picture? What happened to Cromwell’s Commonwealth and why did Parliament henceforth oppose Puritanism vigorously?
With the restoration of the Stuart King, Charles ll, Milton was placed under house arrest. The Stuart Kings claimed 'absolute monarchy' in a time of evolving political 'enlightenment'.
So then, what are the parallels between “Paradise Lost” and the English (British) Civil War?
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The English Civil War, which started in 1642, involved the Parliamentarians and the Royalists. It is believed that the King of England, Charles I, led the conflict due to his new found idea. As the King of England, Charles I ruled over a powerful nation, but that did not quench his desire to seek more territories. Since England and Scotland were relatively peaceful, Charles I sought to annex England, Scotland, and Ireland into a single kingdom. Even though this idea would have brought in new territory, the English Parliamentarians feared the loss of English traditions.
One of the major figures during this war was Oliver Cromwell, who helped to defeat the Royalists. He helped to lead an invasion into Ireland, which led to their dislike of Cromwell. Many note of his brutality over the Irish, but the extent of it is still uncertain. The commonwealth that he established did not last long after his death from malaria. It was noted that the governor of Scotland restored the Parliament back into rule.
Through these historical events, John Milton alludes to the English Civil War in the epic poem “Paradise Lost.” Since he worked for Cromwell, Milton was able to have a clearer account of the English Commonwealth. “Paradise Lost” confronts the issue of the overthrow and reinstating of the monarchy.
Charles I wanted to unite the England, Ireland, and Scotland. They believed that he would break old traditions by uniting the three enemy countries.
Oliver Cromwell was a man that fought with the royalists against King Charles I men, and then became the lord protectorate of England. Great Britain loved him because he defeated King Charles but Ireland, Wales and the Scots detested him because of the near-genocide against the Roman-Catholics.
John Milton wrote the epic poem “Paradise Lost” in the time that he was a government official of Oliver Cromwell’s. “Paradise Lost” alludes to Heaven vs. Hell war with Satan as the protagonist.
Cromwell’s Commonwealth first ruled England and Wales, and then Scotland and Ireland. The old Parliament was purged to make room for new believers. Cromwell’s son was not capable of carrying on his policies and so the New Model Army which was at Cromwell’s side, removed Richard as the Lord Protectorate.
Even after Cromwell’s death, Milton still clung to the beliefs of the commonwealth and wrote literature for it. He opposed church government as corrupt and a warrant was issued for his arrest and his writings burnt. He was imprisoned but then freed due to his powerful friends.
We liken Satan to Milton who defies the Divine power of the King and joins Cromwell. Satan and Milton both volunteer to change or corrupt the norms by tempting the others such as Adam and Eve.
-The English Civil War, which started in 1642, involved the Parliamentarians and the Royalists. Charles I wanted to unite the England, Ireland, and Scotland. They believed that he would break old traditions by uniting the three enemy countries.
-Oliver Cromwell was leader in the English Revolution and the first commoner to rule England. Cromwell governed as Lord Protector from 1653 to 1658 under England’s only written constitution, the Instrument of Government. During the English Civil War (1642-1649), Cromwell rose from obscurity on the basis of his devout Calvinism, natural military genius, and forceful personality. These characteristics helped him hold together the competing groups that had overthrown King Charles I in the first phase of the civil war. Cromwell conquered Ireland and Scotland, made England a feared military power in Europe, and expanded its overseas empire. He refused to rule without constitutional authority.
The English Civil War was fought between the Parliamentarians and supporters of the monarchy (Royalists). The war lasted from 1642-1651. King Charles I struggled to gain power with the Parliament of England. He was an advocate of the Divine Right of Kings and many feared that he sought out for absolute power. Charles I wanted to bring forth together England, Scotland and Ireland to strengthen his power, but through the civil war, he was opposed by English and Scottish Parliaments and lost. He was also expected to accpet the english monarchy, but instead of doing so, he rebels and tries to form an alliance with Scotland. This sets forth a seconf civil war, but in the end Charles I is defeated, tried and executed for high treason.
Oliver Cromwell is a commander in the New Model Army which defeats the royalists in the English Civil War. Cromwell rules as Lord protector after of the Common Wealth of England and conquered bith Scotland and Ireland. Cromwell was stated to be brutal towards the country of Ireland which made him be hated and disliked. Cromwell dies from malaria and the governor of Scotland restores the Parliament.
John Milton is the author of Paradise Lost. He was an official who worked in the government for Cromwell, and was also a civil servant who wrote for the Commonwealth of England. The poem in which he writes parallels with that of The Ebglish Civil War because just as Adam and Eve fall because of the pursuit for knowledge and wisdom in the poem, so too does Charles I fail to conquer and posses such power.
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