"Lactantius and Milton" is a meticulous scholarly study that explores the profound intellectual and literary connection between the early Christian apologist Lactantius and the iconic English poet John Milton. Written by Kathleen Ellen Hartwell, this work investigates how the writings of the fourth-century rhetorician, often called the "Christian Cicero," served as a source of inspiration and theological grounding for Milton's epic poetry and prose.

The book provides a detailed analysis of Milton's engagement with patristic literature, specifically focusing on how the "Divinae Institutiones" and other works by Lactantius influenced the cosmological and moral frameworks of "Paradise Lost." Hartwell examines shared themes such as the nature of the divine, the origins of the universe, and the struggle between good and evil, illustrating how Milton synthesized classical eloquence with early Christian doctrine. This study offers valuable insights into the classical and religious foundations of the Renaissance, making it an essential text for scholars of Miltonic studies, comparative literature, and the history of ideas. By tracing these subtle threads of influence, the work highlights the enduring legacy of early Christian thought in the shaping of the English literary canon.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.