밀턴의 자유관 : 산문과 『실락원』을 중심으로 = Milton`s Thought on Liberty in Prose Works and Paradise Lost

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of this essay is to explore the ways in which Milton's thought on liberty is more or less influenced by the specific ideas of Luther and Calvin, and to show their similarities and differences in views on liberty. In addition, this essay examines how Milton expresses his ideas on liberty with respect to the matters of divorce, printing and sovereignty in the secular sphere. Finally, it analyzes the theological and political implications of liberty as represented in Paradise Lost.
It should be noted, first of all, that Milton's concept of liberty is based on the ideas of Luther who asserts that the abolishment of the Mosaic Law leads people to Christian liberty which enables them to defend themselves against the power structure of the Roman Catholic church. Although Luther lays great emphasis on Christian liberty as a spiritual means of opposing the papal power, he does not apply such spiritual liberty to the sphere of political liberty. Unlike Luther, Milton approves of man's right to resist the ecclesiastical system and worldly power if they suppress the liberty of mankind. In fact, more controversial is Milton's relation to Calvin rather than Luther's influence on Milton; for Milton accepts Calvinism as a religious principle of Presbyterians during the early stages of the revolution, but in about the period of 1643-44 he repudiates the Calvinistic ideas of predestination and God's absolute decree, and instead adopts Arminians' conception of man's free will in choosing between good and evil.
Thus, although Milton bases his thought on the concept of Christian liberty which derives from Protestant ideas, he reveals his radical character by using it to advocate the domestic and civil liberty in the process of the English Revolution. This is manifest in The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce, Areopagitica, and The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates. What is remarkable about Milton is that he is far from stopping his concern for liberty despite his experience of a failed revolution. As shown in Paradise Lost, Milton reexamines the meaning of liberty by showing us two types of characters, Satan and Adam. Milton presents Satan as a negative character disregarding God's providence and abusing his own free will, while he presents Adam as someone recognizing the paradoxical meaning of liberty in relation to transcendental God. In the end, it can be said that Milton's intention in Paradise Lost lies in showing the devastating effects we face in this world when we fail to recognize the meaning of liberty, although he does not despise the political implications of liberty.