Areopagitica
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Themes
All Themes Religion, Censorship, and Reason Knowledge, Learning, and Truth Writing and Authorship
Quotes
Characters
All Characters John Milton The English Parliament The Roman Catholic Church Isocrates Wyclif Adam Luther Protagoras Epicurus Lycurgus Cato the Censor Hus / Jan Huss Juno Galileo Isis Osiris Calvin Pythagoras Jerome
Terms
All Terms Areopagus The Council of Trent Cynics Cyrene Parliament’s Licensing Order of 1643 Polemic Presbyter Prelate The Protestant Reformation The Spanish Inquisition The Star Chamber Decree
Symbols
All Symbols Books
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Areopagitica

by

John Milton

Areopagitica Symbols

Books

Books are repeatedly mentioned by Milton in Areopagitica and they carry a twofold significance within his speech. First, books are symbolic of knowledge and learning and the pursuit of truth; however, the suppression of books…

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