Freedom and Virtue in John Milton's Comus and Areopagitica The martyred author of Utopia, Sir Thomas More, executed for treason against the king, is credited with his last words: "If I must live in a world where I cannot act according to my conscience I don't want to live!" Generations later, Patrick Henry's fiery patriotism and outspoken candor led him to utter the famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" Along the same lines as these two men, John Milton's Areopagitica argues that the essence of life is the freedom to choose how to live it. In another of Milton's works, the masquerade comedy Comus, the Elder Brother's pronouncements regarding virtue establish some of the basis for his argument in the work that he wrote "in order to free the press from the restrictions with which it was burdened" (716). The root of Milton's statements lies in his total hope in the prevalence of virtue. In these two works, trust in virtue and in the ability of good men to practice it is crucial. The first part of the Elder Brother's statement is in fact a comment on trust, in response to the brother's question regarding the unfavorable odds against the Lady, their sister. He says, “Yea, and still hold [the trust], / Lean upon it with assurance…against threats / Of malice or sorcery, or that power / Which wandering men call Chance” (584-588). The Elder Brother's remarks show that he believes in the triumph of the Spirit against all odds, including the Fates and Fortune. As he states, “this I hold fast;/ Virtue may be assailed but never wounded,/ Surprised by unjust force but not captivated,” because it is founded on “Heaven's will and arm” (588-600). Milton's argument in the Areopagitica is also faithful to these ideas, that we must have faith in virtue and its ability to triumph over all trials and temptations because, if it is truly of God, it will prevail over all evil. In outlining his argument, Milton repeatedly reminds his audience of the duty they have to trust in the virtue of their fellow men; just as God allowed Adam to choose to make mistakes, so the state must give men the right to choose, to test their own ideas of virtue. The Spirit describes: Great Comus. . . whose pleasant poison

Topic > Freedom and Virtue in John Milton's Comus and Areopagitica The martyred author of Utopia, Sir Thomas More, executed for treason against the king, is credited with his last words: "If I must live in a world where I cannot act according to my conscience I don't want to live!" Generations later, Patrick Henry's fiery patriotism and outspoken candor led him to utter the famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" Along the same lines as these two men, John Milton's Areopagitica argues that the essence of life is the freedom to choose how to live it. In another of Milton's works, the masquerade comedy Comus, the Elder Brother's pronouncements regarding virtue establish some of the basis for his argument in the work that he wrote "in order to free the press from the restrictions with which it was burdened" (716). The root of Milton's statements lies in his total hope in the prevalence of virtue. In these two works, trust in virtue and in the ability of good men to practice it is crucial. The first part of the Elder Brother's statement is in fact a comment on trust, in response to the brother's question regarding the unfavorable odds against the Lady, their sister. He says, “Yea, and still hold [the trust], / Lean upon it with assurance…against threats / Of malice or sorcery, or that power / Which wandering men call Chance” (584-588). The Elder Brother's remarks show that he believes in the triumph of the Spirit against all odds, including the Fates and Fortune. As he states, “this I hold fast;/ Virtue may be assailed but never wounded,/ Surprised by unjust force but not captivated,” because it is founded on “Heaven's will and arm” (588-600). Milton's argument in the Areopagitica is also faithful to these ideas, that we must have faith in virtue and its ability to triumph over all trials and temptations because, if it is truly of God, it will prevail over all evil. In outlining his argument, Milton repeatedly reminds his audience of the duty they have to trust in the virtue of their fellow men; just as God allowed Adam to choose to make mistakes, so the state must give men the right to choose, to test their own ideas of virtue. The Spirit describes: Great Comus. . . whose pleasant poison