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Creighton University

A Rhetorical Analysis of Milton's Areopagitica

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The general purpose of this thesis will be to analyze certain principles of classical rhetoric which exist, in the Areopagitica. Twentieth-century scholars have shown the extent of classical influence on the rhetoric of the Areopagitica in many areas. However, they have either skipped over or explained superficially some important aspects of Milton's debt to classical rhetoric. These are Milton's invention of arguments by means of the Topics, his use of the ethical appeal by portraying himself as an ideal classical orator, and his use of the techniques appropriate to deliberative rhetoric. We shall first define these principles according to the classical rhetoricians, and then we shall show how Milton uses these rhetorical principles in the exordium, the statement, the four main arguments, and the peroration of the Areopagitica.

Degree

thesis:*
Grantor dc:publisher
Creighton University
Year dc:date.issued
1964

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Hilger, Michael John
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Corbett, Edward P.J.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.
Language dc:language.iso
en_US

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/10504/109429
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/109429

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Creighton University
Base URL
cdr.creighton.edu/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
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citation

Hilger, Michael John. A Rhetorical Analysis of Milton's Areopagitica. Creighton University, 1964. http://hdl.handle.net/10504/109429