LANGUAGE, POWER, AND DIVINE ORDER IN THE WORKS OF JOHN MILTON

Abstract

This study examines how John Milton connects language, authority, and divine structure in his writings, especially in Paradise Lost. Milton portrays language as a force that shapes moral order and expresses spiritual position rather than simply a means of communication. The ways God, Satan, and Adam speak reveal how rhetoric can uphold or challenge power. Pure and truthful speech supports divine rule, while deceitful or distorted language signals opposition to it. The research demonstrates that Milton uses linguistic expression to define his understanding of universal hierarchy and spiritual governance, showing how discourse becomes a key element in maintaining or disrupting divine order.

Key words: Milton; Paradise Lost; language and authority; divine hierarchy; rhetorical power; discourse; moral order.