Analysis of Areopagitica by John Milton - Research Paper Example

John Miltons Areopagitica Areopagitica was a speech composed by John Milton to the Parliament of England back in 1644 to contest licensing and censorship. It is considered one of the most prominent and persuasive defenses of the press freedom. Milton specifically composed this speech to present an argument against the Parliament and its ban of unprincipled books as a way of protecting writers against licensing. This is because he believes that all writers have the right to share their ideas and articulate their emotional state irrespective of whether they are positive or not. He therefore asks the Parliament to be sensitive and allow the freedom of publishing books. In England, some literature materials considered negative were not published because the Parliament felt that it was being attacked. But Milton believes that such materials will help individuals correct their mistakes. This essay explores Miltons Areopagitica speech covering his use of the subordination styles as well as his appeals to people’s emotions, logic and values. In his writing, Milton appeals to individuals’ pathos (emotion), logos (logic), and ethos (values) through different subordinating styles such as the causality, temporality and precedence styles. Notably, causality is used when “one event or state is cause by another;” temporality is used when “events and states are prior or subsequent to one another;” precedence is used when “events and states are arranged in hierarchies of importance” (Fish 45). He uses causality subordinating style by stating, “If we think to regulate printing, thereby to rectify manners, we must regulate all recreation... delightful to man” (Milton 23). This sentence simply means that correcting people’s manners cannot be achieved by controlling the publication of books and so all recreation should be regulated. To express a sense of nationalism, he uses the temporality subordinating style when he states “nevertheless I took it as a pledge of future happiness that other nations were so persuaded of her liberty” (Milton 34). Even though Milton is unhappy with the current state of his country, he informs the Parliament that he has hope for England’s future. As other people in other countries have little opportunity to write and think freely, Milton believes that England could be different and much better if Parliament decides to get rid of the licensing law. Milton provides a strong argument to the Parliament by creating national pride specifically by disclosing how other people from other countries regard England highly and he successfully present a good explanation why the Parliament needs to drop the licensing law. Therefore, he uses parliament’s sense of pathos, because of national pride, and holds up his argument by importing the temporality subordinating style. Just like of other nations believe, Milton also believes in the liberty of England despite the current state if his country where philosophers and authors have no freedom of speech. To begin with, Milton has effectively used pathos to indication the feelings of love, hatred, pity and compassion towards societal members. He is disappointed that other countries believe England allows its citizens the freedom of speech but this is not the case. Milton appeals to people’s pathos when he tells the Parliament the perspectives on other people on the “place of philosophic freedom” (Milton 34). His adventure to other countries made him realize that foreigners from outside England believe that England permits its authors to write freely as opposed to other countries like Italy. This is because England does not send its authors to prison and so foreigners are convinced that by moving to England, their freedom is guaranteed. Following this perception, individuals’ high regards for England, Milton persuades the Parliament to reconsider its decision of licensing authors and banning books so as to save the country’s reputation, that is, to uphold the perception of everyone else have of England. This way, he is trying to develop a sense of pride and nationalism within the hearts of the members of parliament. Logos are useful in showing sense using evidence and data. Milton posits that it is unfair to regulate only the publication of books and ignore other aspects of life. He effectively uses logos to show individuals how it is not fair to regulate the publication of certain books. He believes that in order to have a pure society, all gates need to be closed which is impossible. Notably, Parliament decided to pass a law regulating the publication of books and licensing authors as a way of preventing widespread corruption of individuals’ minds in the country, however, Milton disagrees with this strategy claiming that the idea is wrong and he tries to appeal to Parliament members’ logos. According to him, the Parliament will not only ban books but also music and dancing, and monitor individuals’ food intake and alcohol consumption as a way of preventing corruption of the mind. He argues further that it would be very costly for the Parliament to enforce these measures effectively. Therefore, Milton demonstrates how illogical such a strategy would be and posits that books are not supposed to be banned in the first place since they would not necessarily assist in preventing the corruption of individuals’ minds. He went ahead to support his claim using the causality subordinating style as he states that “[these] things will be, and must be; but how they shall be least hurtful, how least enticing, herein consists the grave and governing wisdom of a state” (Milton 24). This implies that the Parliament will not be able to meet its main goal of preventing corruption of the mind of people if it fails to ban music and dancing and control individuals’ food intake and alcohol consumption alongside licensing authors and banning books. Indeed, this is a powerful argument since it indicates the stupidity of banning books and what people will have to go through in order to live corrupt-free life. Milton provides vivid evidence of the absurdity of what needs to be done to have a pure society using his appeal to logos and the use of the causality subordinating style. In his argument against censorship, Milton also appeals to ethos. Ethos is normally used to indicate a person’s credibility such as reliability, excellence, and respect among others. For instance, he believes in Brooke’s statements and judges him as very wise. Milton supports the notion that licensing authors is disrespecting other people’s ideas even if these ideas do not conform to society rules. He argues that alienating a person’s opinion by destroying a book is like killing that person literally. Milton cites Lord Brooke, a former member of parliament, to persuade the members that it is important to allow individuals have their opinions heard even if these opinions are rebellious and nonconformists (Milton 50). According to Brooke, Parliament should not ban books because writers are god’s creation and through them, He is able to spread His message. Accordingly, Milton used the teachings of Brooke to influence Parliament into withdrawing the choice of licensing authors and banning their books. Furthermore, he advises the Parliament and societal members to read Brooke’s book in order to acquire some important values. He uses the precedence subordinating style to support his argument when he states “that next to His last testament who bequeathed love and peace to His disciples, I cannot call to mind where I have read or heard words more mild and peaceful” ( Milton 50). This statement simply means that under God, Jesus and his disciples, there is Lord Brooke. Considering the fact that his audiences are Protestants, this is a strong statement. Milton targets Parliament members’ ethos while using the precedence subordinating style simultaneously to provide a substantial argument as why they need to let go licensing authors. Overall, Milton’s appeals are very persuasive and they can be effective in convincing individuals to understand that the logic of censorship and licensing of authors is senseless. In conclusion, Milton is able to provide a compelling argument against the licensing of authors by the parliament. Milton effectively uses the three types of subordinating styles such as causality, temporality and precedence to strengthen his argument. He states the irrationality of extreme measures that must be enforced by the Parliament to prevent further corruption of the mind. Milton also creates the sense of national pride upon Parliament members, and lastly, he states how important Lord Brooke was comparing him to God and Jesus. Milton uses all these to present a very powerful argument to convince the Parliament why it should not ban books and license authors. Moreover, he appeals to his audience’s pathos, logos and ethos effectively in order to persuade members of the Parliament to believe that banning books and licensing authors is a stupid and unfair operation. In an attempt to sway the Parliament into eliminating censorship, Milton effectively uses pathos to express feelings of anger, shame, pity and disappointment. He also uses logos when as he questions the logic of censorship where he says that, Parliament will have to censor all aspects of life and this will have a devastating impact. In addition, he uses ethos to convince people to acquire some values from great people like Lord Brooke. Works Cited Fish, Stanley. How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One. New York: Harper Collins, 2011. Print. Milton, John. Areopagitica and Of Education. Ed. George H. Sabine. Wheeling: Harlan Davidson, 1951. Print. Read More