Liberty 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 the last words: "If I must live in a world in which I cannot act with my conscience I do not wish to live!" Generations later, Patrick Henry's fiery patriotism and explicit frankness led him to utter the famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" In the same vein as these two men, John Milton's "Areopagitica" argues that the essence of life is the freedom to choose how one lives it. In another of Milton's works, the masked play Comus, the elder brother's declarations. concerning virtue establish some of the foundations of his argument in the work he wrote "in order to deliver the press from the constraints with which it was encumbered" (716). of virtue In these two works, confidence 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 his brother's question regarding the unfavorable odds against the Lady, their sister. He says: “Yea, and keep [the confidence] quiet,/ Lean upon it in safety... against threats/ Of malice or sorcery, or of that power/ Which misguided men call Luck” (584- 588). The Elder Brother's remarks show that he believes in the triumph of the Spirit against all odds, including Fate and Fortune. As he states: “I hold fast to this:/Virtue may be attacked but never harmed,/Surprised by unjust force but not captivated,” because it is grounded in “the will and arm of Heaven.” (588-600). Milton's argument in "Areopagitica" is also faithful to these ideas, that we must have confidence in virtue and its ability to triumph over all trials and temptations because - if it truly comes from God - it will prevail over all evils. In presenting his argument, Milton continually reminds his audience of their duty to trust in the virtue of their fellow men; just as God allowed Adam the choice to err, so the State must give men the right to choose, to try out their own ideas of virtue. The Spirit describes: Grand Comus. . . whose pleasant poison

Essay / Liberty 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 the last words: "If I must live in a world in which I cannot act with my conscience I do not wish to live!" Generations later, Patrick Henry's fiery patriotism and explicit frankness led him to utter the famous "Give me liberty or give me death!" In the same vein as these two men, John Milton's "Areopagitica" argues that the essence of life is the freedom to choose how one lives it. In another of Milton's works, the masked play Comus, the elder brother's declarations. concerning virtue establish some of the foundations of his argument in the work he wrote "in order to deliver the press from the constraints with which it was encumbered" (716). of virtue In these two works, confidence 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 his brother's question regarding the unfavorable odds against the Lady, their sister. He says: “Yea, and keep [the confidence] quiet,/ Lean upon it in safety... against threats/ Of malice or sorcery, or of that power/ Which misguided men call Luck” (584- 588). The Elder Brother's remarks show that he believes in the triumph of the Spirit against all odds, including Fate and Fortune. As he states: “I hold fast to this:/Virtue may be attacked but never harmed,/Surprised by unjust force but not captivated,” because it is grounded in “the will and arm of Heaven.” (588-600). Milton's argument in "Areopagitica" is also faithful to these ideas, that we must have confidence in virtue and its ability to triumph over all trials and temptations because - if it truly comes from God - it will prevail over all evils. In presenting his argument, Milton continually reminds his audience of their duty to trust in the virtue of their fellow men; just as God allowed Adam the choice to err, so the State must give men the right to choose, to try out their own ideas of virtue. The Spirit describes: Grand Comus. . . whose pleasant poison

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