Milton's patriotism: Against tyranny, servility and idolatry

Milton's patriotism is a subject which is often taken for granted or understudied, while its significance for English literature, politics and history is undeniable. In addition, academic literature on the thinker and his patriotism is often polarized between ideas of a revolutionary Milton and an illiberal Milton. This thesis analyses a selection of Milton's prose works written on religion, divorce, education, free speech and politics to understand the poet's conception of patriotism. The study argues that Milton's patriotism is based on earlier forms of republicanism and secularism through various discourses of liberty employed by the poet and creates a bridge between traditional, pre-modern identities and modern national identity grounded in constitutional liberties.