The Masculinities of John Milton: Cultures and Constructs of Manhood in the Major Works

The Masculinites of John Milton is the first published monograph on Milton's men, examining how his fantasies of manly authority are framed in his major works. It reveals the gaps between Milton's pleas for liberty and his assumptions that White men like himself should rule his culture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 290 pages
Publication date: 08 September 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The Masculinites of John Milton is a groundbreaking monograph that delves into the exploration of Milton's conceptions of masculine authority within his major works. Through a comprehensive examination, this study uncovers the disparities between Milton's advocacy for liberty and his underlying assumptions regarding the dominance of white men like himself in shaping his culture. The text begins by examining the portrayal of male authority in Milton's Ludlow Masque, where schoolboys engage in acts of commodifying young women. This serves as a stark illustration of the contradictions present in Milton's ideas. Moving forward, the text delves into his treatises on divorce, which advocate for the empowerment of the wife-less husband as the ideal citizen. This reflects Milton's belief in the superiority of men over women and his desire to promote a patriarchal society. Furthermore, the later epics, such as Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, showcase Milton's grappling with male small talk and the hierarchical structures of masculine social power. Through his verse and prose, Milton amplifies his culture's claims about manliness in education, warfare, friendship, citizenship, and conversation.

The most renowned writings of this revolutionary poet shed light on the complex construction of manhood in early modern England. Milton's works demonstrate the ambivalence inherent in the concept of manhood, as it is simultaneously employed to serve the interests of men. This study provides a valuable insight into the complex interplay of gender, power, and culture in Milton's era, and its significance in understanding the literary and social context of the time.

ISBN-13: 9781009223584