John Milton's Early Years

 John Milton's Early Years

John Milton is one of England’s greatest poets. His epic poem Paradise Lost is world-famous. But his early life laid the foundation for his genius. This article explores his childhood, family, education, and first writings. It shows how he grew up in the 1600s to become a literary giant.

A London Childhood

John Milton was born on December 9, 1608, in London, England. His home stood on Bread Street, close to St. Paul’s Cathedral. The area was lively and full of trade. His father, also named John, worked as a scrivener. He prepared legal documents and lent money. He also loved music and composed songs.

Milton’s mother, Sarah Jeffrey, came from a family of merchants. His father had a rough start. His own father, Richard, was a strict Catholic. He disowned Milton’s father for reading Protestant books. So, the father moved to London and built a good life. He married Sarah around 1600.

The Miltons were Protestants. They attended All Hallows Church. John had an older sister, Anne, and a younger brother, Christopher. Three other siblings died young. Only Anne, John, and Christopher grew up. Christopher later became a lawyer and stayed close to John.

The father loved learning and music. He made sure John had a rich start. Young John learned languages like Latin and Greek at home. This sparked his love for books.

Early School Days

Milton’s education began early. At age five, he had private tutors. One was Thomas Young, a Puritan teacher from Scotland. Young taught him Latin and other subjects. Milton’s father also taught him French, Italian, and Hebrew.

Around 1620, Milton joined St. Paul’s School in London. It was a top school. He studied classic texts by authors like Homer and Virgil. He became friends with Charles Diodati, a boy from an Italian family. They shared a love for books and ideas.

Milton listened to sermons by John Donne, a poet and preacher at St. Paul’s. Donne’s words inspired him. By age 15, Milton wrote his first poem. It was a translation of Psalm 114 from the Bible. His early work showed his talent with words.

School was tough. Milton studied late into the night. This strained his eyes. But it built his sharp mind.

Life at Cambridge

In 1625, Milton entered Christ’s College, Cambridge. He was 16 and aimed to be a minister. His first tutor was William Chappell. They clashed, and Milton was briefly sent home in 1626. Some say it was over a disagreement or a harsh punishment.

He returned with a new tutor, Nathaniel Tovey. Milton excelled in his studies. He learned logic, rhetoric, and more. Classmates called him “The Lady of Christ’s” because of his fair looks and long hair. He didn’t like the nickname.

Milton wrote poems in English and Latin. In 1629, he wrote On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity. It was about Jesus’s birth and showed his skill. That year, he earned his Bachelor of Arts. In 1632, he got his Master of Arts.

He decided not to become a priest. He disliked the Church of England’s strict rules. He wanted to think freely. So, he left Cambridge to study on his own.

Years of Self-Study

From 1632 to 1638, Milton lived with his parents. They moved to Hammersmith, then Horton, Buckinghamshire. His father supported him. Milton called this time his “studious retreat.” He read history, science, and ancient texts.

In 1634, he wrote Comus, a masque for the Earl of Bridgewater. It was about virtue and resisting temptation. Henry Lawes composed the music. In 1637, Milton’s mother died. That same year, his friend Edward King died in a shipwreck. Milton wrote Lycidas, a moving poem about loss.

He also wrote L’Allegro and Il Penseroso. These poems compared cheerful and thoughtful lives. His writing grew stronger during this time. He dreamed of creating great works.

First Poetic Works

Milton’s early poems were impressive. At St. Paul’s, he translated Bible psalms. At Cambridge, he wrote a poem praising Shakespeare. It showed his love for great writers.

On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity was a big step. Written at 21, it blended Christian and classical ideas. Comus was a public success. It taught moral lessons through a story. Lycidas was his finest early poem. It used nature to explore death and fame.

Milton also wrote in Latin. His elegies and sonnets were clear and powerful. His early works mixed faith, nature, and human struggles. They hinted at his future masterpieces.

Journey Across Europe

In 1638, Milton set off for Europe. He was 29 and eager to learn. He took a servant and visited France first. In Paris, he met scholar Hugo Grotius.

In Italy, he spent time in Florence. He joined literary groups and shared his poems. People admired his work. He met Galileo, who was under house arrest. This left a mark on Milton.

He visited Rome and Naples, soaking in art and history. He met Giovanni Battista Manso, a friend of poets. Milton planned to see Greece, but trouble in England called him back.

In 1638, his friend Charles Diodati died. Milton wrote Epitaphium Damonis in Latin to honor him. He returned to London in 1639. He began teaching his nephews and writing more.

John Milton’s early life was a journey of growth. From a curious boy in London to a traveler in Europe, he built his talents. His family gave him support. His schools gave him knowledge. His poems showed his promise. By 1639, he was ready to shape the world with his words. His story continues to inspire.