John Milton | The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce | A Review
John Milton’s ‘The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce’-A Review
John Milton’s “The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce” is a controversial and groundbreaking treatise that was published in 1643. It is a significant work that contributed to the modern understanding of marriage and divorce. Here is a detailed review of this important work:
Overview:
The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce is divided into two parts. The first part is an argument for the need for divorce in cases of “incompatibility of temperament” or “mutual antipathy.” The second part discusses the practical aspects of implementing a divorce system.
Arguments:
Milton’s argument in the first part of the book is that marriage is a contract that can be dissolved if the two parties are incompatible. He believes that a marriage that is unhappy or unfulfilling for either partner is not a true marriage and that divorce should be allowed in such cases. He argues that a couple should be allowed to divorce if they are unable to live together in peace, if they have no affection for each other, or if they are unable to have children.
Milton’s argument is based on the idea that the purpose of marriage is not only to procreate but also to provide companionship and happiness. He asserts that “the end of marriage is not to restrain and limit our delights, but to enlarge them.” Milton also argues that divorce is necessary because it prevents the misery and despair that unhappy marriages can cause.
Milton’s second argument is that the church should not have the power to deny divorce to those who need it. He believes that the church should not have control over such a private matter and that the government should take on this responsibility.
Analysis:
Milton’s argument for divorce is rooted in a progressive view of marriage that was uncommon during his time. His argument is based on the idea that marriage is not just about procreation and is, in fact, a contract between two people. He also recognizes that divorce can provide an escape from an unhappy or unfulfilling marriage and that it can prevent the misery and despair that unhappy marriages can cause.
Milton’s argument for the government’s role in divorce was also groundbreaking during his time. He believed that the government should take on the responsibility of managing divorce, rather than the church. This view is in contrast to the prevailing belief during his time that divorce was the exclusive domain of the church.
However, Milton’s views on divorce were also controversial during his time. His views on marriage and divorce were considered radical and were met with opposition from many quarters. Some even called for his arrest for writing such a treatise.
Conclusion:
John Milton’s “The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce” is a significant work that contributed to the modern understanding of marriage and divorce. It was a groundbreaking treatise that challenged the traditional views of marriage and divorce during his time. Though some of his arguments may still be controversial, his work remains to be an important contribution to the ongoing discussion of marriage and divorce. 0 0 0.
John Milton The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce A Review
N.B. The article originally belongs to the book entitled ‘Reviews of John Milton’s Literary Works‘ by Menonim Menonimus.
Books of Literary Criticism by M. Menonimus:
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- World Poetry Criticism
- World Drama Criticism
- World Novel Criticism
- World Essay Criticism
- Indian English Poetry Criticism
- Indian English Poets and Poetry Chief Features
- Emily Dickinson’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Walt Whitman’s Poetry-A Thematic Study
- Critical Essays on English Poetry
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: Return of the Spirit-An Analytical Study
- Tawfiq al-Hakim’s Novel: ‘Yawmiyyat Naib Fil Arayaf’-An Analytical Study
- Analytical Studies of Some Arabic Short Stories
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Pre-Islamic Period (500 AD-622 AD)
- A Brief History of Arabic Literature: Early Islamic Period (622 AD-661 AD)
- Reviews on William Shakespeare’s Works
- Reviews of John Milton’s Literary Works
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