"Darkness visible — a phrase that captures the paradox of John Milton’s life: eventual blindness in body, yet vision without bounds in the mind.”
"Imagine a world gone dark — yet in that darkness, a man named John Milton could see more clearly than anyone else."
John Milton grew up with privilege, expectation, and a mind hungry for knowledge. His father, a scrivener, provided tutors, music lessons, and an education that would prepare him for greatness. From an early age, Milton believed he was destined for immortality.
Yet life would test him. He faced political upheaval, personal loss, and eventually, blindness. By the early 1650s, at just forty-three, Milton could no longer see.
Blindness for Milton was more than a physical loss; it demanded dependence on others and challenged his sense of independence. And yet, in that darkness, he created some of the greatest works in English literature.
From the epic grandeur of Paradise Lost to the quiet triumph of Paradise Regained, Milton’s inner vision never dimmed. And in this episode, we’ll also explore how his phrase “darkness visible” has echoed across centuries, influencing writers and poets long after his time.
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