John Milton: Biography, Works, Quotes, and 150 MCQs for Competitive Exams

Posted on June 10, 2025 by [Hargyan Singh]

Introduction to John Milton

John Milton (1608–1674), the Puritan poet and polemicist, is renowned for his epic Paradise Lost and lines like “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.” His works, including Areopagitica, Lycidas, and Samson Agonistes, are essential for UPSC, UGC NET, SET, TGT, PGT, CTET, DUET, JNUET, and SSC CGL. This guide, with his biography, major works, 11 iconic quotes, and 150 MCQs, is tailored for exam success.

Biographical Details

• Full Name: John Milton
• Pen Name: None
• Age of Literature: Puritan/Restoration (1603–1660)
• Birth and Death: December 9, 1608 – November 8, 1674
• Birthplace: London, England
• Parents: John Milton Sr. and Sarah Jeffrey
• Parents’ Profession: John Milton Sr. (scrivener and composer); Sarah Jeffrey (homemaker)
• Spouses: Mary Powell, Katherine Woodcock, Elizabeth Minshull
• Children: Anne, Mary, Deborah, John (died young)

Born in London, Milton grew up in a prosperous family. His father, John Milton Sr., was a scrivener and composer, while his mother, Sarah Jeffrey, was a homemaker, details tested in JNUET. Educated at Cambridge, Milton served as a Commonwealth official and wrote polemics, going blind by 1652. His works shaped English literature, relevant for NET.

Literary Journey

Milton’s career began in the 1630s with poems like On Shakespeare. His epic Paradise Lost (1667) cemented his legacy, studied for NET.

• First Work: Nativity Ode (1629)
• First Published Work: Comus (1637)
• Major Milestone: Paradise Lost (1667)
• Last Major Work: Samson Agonistes (1671)
• Last Work: Paradise Regained (1671)

Major Works, Themes, and Famous Quotes

Milton’s works span epics, poems, and prose, exploring faith, freedom, and human struggle, as in “The mind is its own place.” Essential for TGT, PGT, and MA English entrance.

• Main Themes:
  • Faith: Divine justice in Paradise Lost.
  • Freedom: Free speech in Areopagitica.
  • Human Struggle: Temptation in Samson Agonistes.
  • Nature: Pastoral in Lycidas.
• All Famous Works with Themes:
  • Paradise Lost (1667): Epic; fall of man, divine justice, free will.
  • Paradise Regained (1671): Epic; Christ’s temptation, redemption.
  • Samson Agonistes (1671): Tragedy; human struggle, divine will.
  • Areopagitica (1644): Prose; free speech, censorship.
  • Lycidas (1637): Elegy; pastoral, mortality, faith.
  • Comus (1634): Masque; virtue, temptation.
  • On Shakespeare (1630): Poem; literary tribute, immortality.
  • Sonnet 19 (1652): Sonnet; blindness, faith.
  • Sonnet 23 (1658): Sonnet; love, loss.
  • The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce (1643): Prose; marriage, liberty.
• Famous Quotes for Exams:
  • “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.” – Paradise Lost (NET, UPSC)
  • “The mind is its own place, and in itself / Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” – Paradise Lost (SET, PGT)
  • “What in me is dark / Illumine, what is low raise and support.” – Paradise Lost (NET, JNUET)
  • “Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely.” – Areopagitica (CTET, TGT)
  • “When I consider how my light is spent.” – Sonnet 19 (DUET, SET)
  • “Hail, holy Light, offspring of Heaven firstborn!” – Paradise Lost (NET, PGT
  • “Who kills a man kills a reasonable creature.” – Areopagitica (UPSC, CTET)
  • “Death is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity.” – Comus (NET, DUET)
  • “Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise.” – Lycidas (SET)
  • “Yet once more, O ye laurels, and once more.” – Lycidas (JNUET)
  • “Methought I saw my late espoused saint.” – Sonnet 23 (NET, TGT)
• Work That Brought Fame: Paradise Lost (1667).

Milton’s use of blank verse and epic similes is tested for poetic devices in NET. His Puritan themes are central to CTET.

Awards and Recognition

Milton’s accolades include:

• Commonwealth Service: Latin Secretary (1649–1660) (NET)
• Posthumous Fame: Paradise Lost influenced Romantic poets.
• Global Influence: Milton Societies, academic studies.

Key Facts for Competitive Exams

Tested in UGC NET, SET, TGT, PGT, CTET, UPSC, DUET, JNUET, SSC CGL:

1. Blank Verse: Used in Paradise Lost (NET)
2. Puritanism: Shaped his themes (SET)
3. Blindness: Affected later works (JNUET)
4. Commonwealth: Served under Cromwell (GATE)
5. Epic Similes: Miltonic style (CTET)
6. Influences: Virgil, Dante, Spenser (NET)
7. Areopagitica: Free speech advocacy (UPSC)

Critical Analysis and Lesser-Known Works

Milton’s epics are analyzed for their theological depth in Paradise Lost, tested in NET. Lesser-known works like Comus explore virtue, studied in JNUET. His prose like Areopagitica is debated in SET.

Historical Context and Modern Relevance

Milton wrote during the English Civil War and Commonwealth, reflected in Areopagitica, studied for UPSC. His themes of liberty and faith inspire modern debates, relevant for JNUET. His language is taught in CTET.

150 MCQs for Competitive Exams

Test your knowledge with these 150 MCQs, designed for UPSC, UGC NET, SET, TGT, PGT, CTET, DUET, JNUET, SSC CGL:

1. What is John Milton’s full name?
   A) John Milton B) John Edward Milton C) John James Milton D) John William Milton
   Answer: A) John Milton
   Explanation: Basic fact for SSC CGL.
2. In which literary era did Milton write?
   A) Romantic B) Puritan/Restoration C) Victorian D) Modern
   Answer: B) Puritan/Restoration
   Explanation: 17th century for NET.
3. Where was Milton born?
   A) London B) Cambridge C) Oxford D) Stratford
   Answer: A) London
   Explanation: 1608 for TGT.
4. Who was Milton’s first wife?
   A) Mary Powell B) Katherine Woodcock C) Elizabeth Minshull D) Sarah Jeffrey
   Answer: A) Mary Powell
   Explanation: Married 1642 for DUET.
5. When did Milton begin writing poetry?
   A) 1610s B) 1620s C) 1630s D) 1640s
   Answer: C) 1630s
   Explanation: Early career for SET.
6. Who was Milton’s father?
   A) John Milton Sr. B) Thomas Milton C) Richard Milton D) William Milton
   Answer: A) John Milton Sr.
   Explanation: Scrivener for JNUET.
7. What was Milton’s mother’s profession?
   A) Teacher B) Homemaker C) Writer D) Musician
   Answer: B) Homemaker
   Explanation: Sarah Jeffrey for DUET.
8. Where did Milton study?
   A) Oxford B) Cambridge C) London D) Paris
   Answer: B) Cambridge
   Explanation: Christ’s College for NET.
9. What influenced Milton’s religious views?
   A) Puritanism B) Catholicism C) Anglicanism D) Atheism
   Answer: A) Puritanism
   Explanation: Commonwealth for UPSC.
10. How old was Milton when he died?
    A) 56 B) 66 C) 76 D) 86
    Answer: B) 66
    Explanation: Died 1674 for JNUET.
11. In which year was Milton born?
    A) 1598 B) 1608 C) 1618 D) 1628
    Answer: B) 1608
    Explanation: Birth record for SSC CGL.
12. When did Milton die?
    A) 1664 B) 1674 C) 1684 D) 1694
    Answer: B) 1674
    Explanation: Key date for TGT.
13. What was Milton’s father’s profession?
    A) Poet B) Scrivener and Composer C) Lawyer D) Farmer
    Answer: B) Scrivener and Composer
    Explanation: John Milton Sr. for SET.
14. Who influenced Milton’s writing?
    A) Virgil B) Dante C) Spenser D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
    Explanation: Classical sources for NET.
15. What role did Milton serve under Cromwell?
    A) Latin Secretary B) Poet Laureate C) General D) Judge
    Answer: A) Latin Secretary
    Explanation: Commonwealth for GATE.
16. Where did Milton settle after Cambridge?
    A) Oxford B) London C) Horton D) Paris
    Answer: C) Horton
    Explanation: Early writing for DUET.
17. Who was Milton’s literary contemporary?
    A) Shakespeare B) Donne C) Wordsworth D) Keats
    Answer: B) Donne
    Explanation: Metaphysical poet for NET.
18. What was Milton’s physical challenge?
    A) Deafness B) Blindness C) Paralysis D) None
    Answer: B) Blindness
    Explanation: By 1652 for SET.
19. Who was Milton’s mother?
    A) Sarah Jeffrey B) Mary Powell C) Katherine Woodcock D) Elizabeth Minshull
    Answer: A) Sarah Jeffrey
    Explanation: Homemaker for DUET.
20. Which child of Milton survived to adulthood?
    A) John B) Deborah C) Anne D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
    Explanation: Family details for JNUET.
21. What was Milton’s religious affiliation?
    A) Puritan B) Catholic C) Anglican D) Quaker
    Answer: A) Puritan
    Explanation: Shaped works for SSC CGL.
22. In which year did Milton go blind?
    A) 1642 B) 1652 C) 1662 D) 1672
    Answer: B) 1652
    Explanation: Affected writing for SET.
23. What inspired Milton’s prose?
    A) Greek myths B) Political events C) Roman epics D) French tales
    Answer: B) Political events
    Explanation: Commonwealth for NET.
24. Where was Milton imprisoned?
    A) Tower of London B) Newgate C) None D) Fleet Prison
    Answer: A) Tower of London
    Explanation: Restoration for UPSC.
25. Who was Milton’s second wife?
    A) Mary Powell B) Katherine Woodcock C) Elizabeth Minshull D) Sarah Jeffrey
    Answer: B) Katherine Woodcock
    Explanation: Married 1656 for DUET.
26. What was Milton’s nationality?
    A) British B) French C) Italian D) Spanish
    Answer: A) British
    Explanation: Basic fact for SSC CGL.
27. Which monarch ruled during Milton’s Commonwealth service?
    A) Charles I B) Cromwell C) Charles II D) James I
    Answer: B) Cromwell
    Explanation: Puritan era for NET.
28. What was Milton’s education?
    A) Self-taught B) Cambridge C) Oxford D) Private Tutor
    Answer: B) Cambridge
    Explanation: Christ’s College for JNUET.
29. Where did Milton die?
    A) London B) Cambridge C) Oxford D) Horton
    Answer: A) London
    Explanation: 1674 for SET.
30. What was Milton’s family’s social status?
    A) Nobility B) Middle Class C) Peasantry D) Royalty
    Answer: B) Middle Class
    Explanation: Prosperous for DUET.
31. What was Milton’s first published work?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Comus C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
    Answer: B) Comus
    Explanation: 1637 masque for NET.
32. Which work launched Milton’s fame?
    A) Lycidas B) Paradise Lost C) Areopagitica D) Samson Agonistes
    Answer: B) Paradise Lost
    Explanation: 1667 epic for UPSC.
33. What is the theme of Paradise Lost?
    A) Love B) Fall of Man C) War D) Comedy
    Answer: B) Fall of Man
    Explanation: “Better to reign” for SET.
34. Which work features the quote “Give me the liberty”?
    A) Areopagitica B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Comus
    Answer: A) Areopagitica
    Explanation: Free speech for CTET.
35. Which work is an elegy?
    A) Lycidas B) Paradise Lost C) Areopagitica D) Samson Agonistes
    Answer: A) Lycidas
    Explanation: Pastoral for TGT.
36. What is the full title of Sonnet 19?
    A) When I Consider B) Sonnet 19 C) Blindness Sonnet D) Faith Sonnet
    Answer: B) Sonnet 19
    Explanation: “When I consider” for NET.
37. Which work explores redemption?
    A) Paradise Regained B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Comus
    Answer: A) Paradise Regained
    Explanation: Christ’s temptation for DUET.
38. Which work is a tragedy?
    A) Samson Agonistes B) Areopagitica C) Lycidas D) Comus
    Answer: A) Samson Agonistes
    Explanation: Human struggle for PGT.
39. What is the theme of Comus?
    A) Virtue and Temptation B) War C) Love D) Death
    Answer: A) Virtue and Temptation
    Explanation: “Death is the golden key” for CTET.
40. Which work is a prose tract?
    A) Areopagitica B) Lycidas C) Paradise Lost D) Samson Agonistes
    Answer: A) Areopagitica
    Explanation: Free speech for SET.
41. In which year was Paradise Lost published?
    A) 1644 B) 1667 C) 1671 D) 1637
    Answer: B) 1667
    Explanation: Epic milestone for NET.
42. Which work is a sonnet?
    A) Sonnet 19 B) Paradise Lost C) Areopagitica D) Comus
    Answer: A) Sonnet 19
    Explanation: Blindness for PGT.
43. What is the theme of Lycidas?
    A) Mortality and Faith B) Love C) War D) Comedy
    Answer: A) Mortality and Faith
    Explanation: “Fame is the spur” for TGT.
44. Which work begins “Better to reign in Hell”?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Paradise Regained C) Samson Agonistes D) Areopagitica
    Answer: A) Paradise Lost
    Explanation: Satan’s speech for NET.
45. What is the theme of Sonnet 23?
    A) Love and Loss B) War C) Faith D) Nature
    Answer: A) Love and Loss
    Explanation: “Methought I saw” for SET.
46. Which work critiques censorship?
    A) Areopagitica B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Comus
    Answer: A) Areopagitica
    Explanation: “Who kills a man” for DUET.
47. What is the theme of Paradise Regained?
    A) Redemption B) Fall of Man C) Love D) Death
    Answer: A) Redemption
    Explanation: Christ’s victory for NET.
48. Which work is a pastoral elegy?
    A) Lycidas B) Paradise Lost C) Areopagitica D) Samson Agonistes
    Answer: A) Lycidas
    Explanation: “Yet once more” for PGT.
49. What is the setting of Paradise Lost?
    A) Eden B) London C) Heaven D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
    Explanation: Epic scope for SET.
50. Which work was written in 1671?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Paradise Regained C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
    Answer: B) Paradise Regained
    Explanation: Later epic for NET.
51. What is the theme of Samson Agonistes?
    A) Human Struggle B) Love C) War D) Comedy
    Answer: A) Human Struggle
    Explanation: Divine will for TGT.
52. Which work was a masque?
    A) Comus B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
    Answer: A) Comus
    Explanation: Virtue for SET.
53. Which work is part of Milton’s prose?
    A) Areopagitica B) Lycidas C) Paradise Lost D) Samson Agonistes
    Answer: A) Areopagitica
    Explanation: 1644 tract for NET.
54. What is the form of On Shakespeare?
    A) Sonnet B) Elegy C) Tribute Poem D) Epic
    Answer: C) Tribute Poem
    Explanation: Literary praise for DUET.
55. Which quote is from Paradise Lost?
    A) Better to reign in Hell B) Give me the liberty C) When I consider D) Fame is the spur
    Answer: A) Better to reign in Hell
    Explanation: Satan’s defiance for UPSC.
56. Which work begins “When I consider”?
    A) Sonnet 19 B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
    Answer: A) Sonnet 19
    Explanation: Blindness for CTET.
57. Which quote is from Areopagitica?
    A) Give me the liberty B) Better to reign in Hell C) Fame is the spur D) Methought I saw
    Answer: A) Give me the liberty
    Explanation: Free speech for NET.
58. What is the theme of Sonnet 19?
    A) Blindness and Faith B) Love C) War D) Nature
    Answer: A) Blindness and Faith
    Explanation: Personal struggle for SET.
59. Which work honors Shakespeare?
    A) On Shakespeare B) Lycidas C) Paradise Lost D) Comus
    Answer: A) On Shakespeare
    Explanation: 1630 poem for JNUET.
60. Which quote is from Lycidas?
    A) Fame is the spur B) Better to reign in Hell C) Give me the liberty D) When I consider
    Answer: A) Fame is the spur
    Explanation: Elegy for CTET.
61. What is the form of Paradise Lost?
    A) Sonnet B) Epic C) Elegy D) Masque
    Answer: B) Epic
    Explanation: Miltonic style for NET.
62. Which quote is from Comus?
    A) Death is the golden key B) Better to reign in Hell C) Give me the liberty D) Fame is the spur
    Answer: A) Death is the golden key
    Explanation: Virtue for PGT.
63. What is the form of Samson Agonistes?
    A) Sonnet B) Tragedy C) Epic D) Prose
    Answer: B) Tragedy
    Explanation: Divine will for TGT.
64. Which work explores divorce?
    A) The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
    Answer: A) The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce
    Explanation: Prose for SET.
65. Which quote is from Sonnet 23?
    A) Methought I saw B) Better to reign in Hell C) Give me the liberty D) Fame is the spur
    Answer: A) EMethought I saw
    Explanation: ELove and loss for NET.
66. Which work is a shorter epic?
    A) Paradise Regained B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Comus
    Answer: A) Paradise Regained
    Explanation: Christ’s triumph for PGT.
67. Which work features Satan as a character?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Areopagitica D) Comus
    Answer: A) Paradise Lost
    Explanation: Antagonist for SET.
68. Which work is a political tract?
    A) Areopagitica B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Sonnet 19
    Answer: A) Areopagitica
    Explanation: Censorship critique for DUET.
69. Which work was written in 1644?
    A) Areopagitica B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Comus
    Answer: A) Areopagitica
    Explanation: Prose milestone for NET.
70. Which work is a sonnet about blindness?
    A) Sonnet 19 B) Sonnet 23 C) Lycidas D) Comus
    Answer: A) Sonnet 19
    Explanation: “When I consider” for TGT.
71. Which work features pastoral elements?
    A) Lycidas B) Paradise Lost C) Areopagitica D) Samson Agonistes
    Answer: A) Lycidas
    Explanation: Elegy for SET.
72. What is the main theme of Paradise Lost?
    A) Love B) Divine Justice C) War D) Comedy
    Answer: B) Divine Justice
    Explanation: Free will for TGT.
73. What is Milton’s poetic meter?
    A) Blank Verse B) Iambic Tetrameter C) Free Verse D) Spondaic Meter
    Answer: A) Blank Verse
    Explanation: Epic style for GATE.
74. What is a feature of Milton’s style?
    A) Epic Similes B) Minimal imagery C) Satirical prose D) Rhymed couplets
    Answer: A) Epic Similes
    Explanation: Grandiose comparisons for NET.
75. Which theme is central to Areopagitica?
    A) Free Speech B) Love C) War D) Nature
    Answer: A) Free Speech
    Explanation: Liberty for DUET.
76. What is the tone of Lycidas?
    A) Elegiac B) Comedic C) Satirical D) Heroic
    Answer: A) Elegiac
    Explanation: Mourning for CTET.
77. Which work uses vivid biblical imagery?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Areopagitica C) Comus D) All of the above
    Answer: A) Paradise Lost
    Explanation: Eden and Hell for NET.
78. What is the form of Sonnet 19?
    A) Italian Sonnet B) English Sonnet C) Free Verse D) Villanelle
    Answer: A) Italian Sonnet
    Explanation: Petrarchan structure for SET.
79. Which theme is prominent in Samson Agonistes?
    A) Divine Will B) Love C) Comedy D) Nature
    Answer: A) Divine Will
    Explanation: Samson’s struggle for PGT.
80. What is the tone of Paradise Regained?
    A) Triumphant B) Tragic C) Comedic D) Pastoral
    Answer: A) Triumphant
    Explanation: Christ’s victory for NET.
81. Which work uses masque elements?
    A) Comus B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
    Answer: A) Comus
    Explanation: Theatrical style for DUET.
82. What is the main theme of Paradise Regained?
    A) Redemption B) Fall C) Love D) War
    Answer: A) Redemption
    Explanation: Christ’s temptation for JNUET.
83. Which work employs theological debate?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Comus D) All of the above
    Answer: A) Paradise Lost
    Explanation: God vs. Satan for CTET.
84. What is the style of Areopagitica?
    A) Polemic Prose B) Epic Poetry C) Sonnet D) Masque
    Answer: A) Polemic Prose
    Explanation: Argumentative for SET.
85. Which theme is prominent in Lycidas?
    A) Mortality B) Love C) War D) Comedy
    Answer: A) Mortality
    Explanation: Elegy for PGT.
86. What is the theme of Sonnet 23?
    A) Love and Loss B) Faith C) War D) Nature
    Answer: A) Love and Loss
    Explanation: Personal grief for NET.
87. Which work uses epic conventions?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Areopagitica C) Lycidas D) Sonnet 19
    Answer: A) Paradise Lost
    Explanation: Miltonic epic for SET.
88. What is the tone of Comus?
    A) Moralistic B) Tragic C) Heroic D) Satirical
    Answer: A) Moralistic
    Explanation: Virtue for DUET.
89. Which theme is central to Areopagitica?
    A) Liberty B) Love C) War D) Nature
    Answer: A) Liberty
    Explanation: Free speech for TGT.
90. Which work uses pastoral settings?
    A) Lycidas B) Paradise Lost C) Areopagitica D) Samson Agonistes
    Answer: A) Lycidas
    Explanation: Shepherd imagery for NET.
91. Which work explores free will?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Comus D) All of the above
    Answer: A) Paradise Lost
    Explanation: Adam’s choice for SET.
92. Which work uses classical allusions?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Comus D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
    Explanation: Virgilian influence for CTET.
93. Which theme is central to Sonnet 19?
    A) Blindness B) Love C) War D) Nature
    Answer: A) Blindness
    Explanation: Faith struggle for JNUET.
94. Which work explores temptation?
    A) Comus B) Paradise Lost C) Paradise Regained D) All of the above
    Answer: D) All of the above
    Explanation: Moral tests for NET.
95. Which theme is prominent in Samson Agonistes?
    A) Divine Justice B) Love C) Comedy D) Nature
    Answer: A) Divine Justice
    Explanation: Samson’s fate for PGT.
96. Which work uses Puritan theology?
    A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Areopagitica D) All of the above
    Answer: A) Paradise Lost
    Explanation: Divine order for SET.
97. Which work critiques marriage laws?
    A) The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
    Answer: A) The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce
    Explanation: Prose for DUET.
98. Which theme is central to On Shakespeare?
    A) Literary Immortality B) Love C) War D) Nature
    Answer: A) Literary Immortality
    Explanation: Tribute for TGT.
99. Which work uses moral allegory?
    A) Comus B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) All of the above
    Answer: A) Comus
    Explanation: Virtue vs. vice for NET.
100. What is the tone of Sonnet 23?
     A) Elegiac B) Heroic C) Comedic D) Satirical
     Answer: A) Elegiac
     Explanation: Loss for SET.
101. Which work features epic battles?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Areopagitica D) Sonnet 19
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: Heaven vs. Hell for NET.
102. Which era shaped Milton’s works?
     A) Elizabethan B) Puritan/Restoration C) Romantic D) Victorian
     Answer: B) Puritan/Restoration
     Explanation: Civil War for UPSC.
103. What was the primary context of Areopagitica?
     A) Censorship Debate B) Love C) War D) Religion
     Answer: A) Censorship Debate
     Explanation: 1644 Parliament for NET.
104. Which monarch was executed during Milton’s time?
     A) Charles I B) Charles II C) James I D) Elizabeth I
     Answer: A) Charles I
     Explanation: 1649 for SET.
105. What historical event influenced Paradise Lost?
     A) English Civil War B) Restoration C) Glorious Revolution D) Plague
     Answer: A) English Civil War
     Explanation: Puritan ideals for DUET.
106. Which event shaped Samson Agonistes?
     A) Restoration B) Civil War C) Great Fire D) Plague
     Answer: A) Restoration
     Explanation: Milton’s exile for NET.
107. What political movement influenced Milton?
     A) Puritanism B) Romanticism C) Enlightenment D) Feudalism
     Answer: A) Puritanism
     Explanation: Commonwealth for UPSC.
108. Which religious conflict affected Milton’s era?
     A) Puritan-Anglican B) Catholic-Protestant C) Quaker-Puritan D) None
     Answer: A) Puritan-Anglican
     Explanation: Civil War for JNUET.
109. What social issue is reflected in Areopagitica?
     A) Censorship B) Divorce C) Slavery D) Poverty
     Answer: A) Censorship
     Explanation: Free speech for SET.
110. Which war influenced Milton’s prose?
     A) English Civil War B) Thirty Years’ War C) Napoleonic Wars D) None
     Answer: A) English Civil War
     Explanation: Political tracts for PGT.
111. What political structure shaped Milton’s works?
     A) Monarchy B) Commonwealth C) Democracy D) Feudalism
     Answer: B) Commonwealth
     Explanation: Cromwell’s rule for NET.
112. Which source inspired Paradise Lost?
     A) Bible B) Ovid C) Holinshed D) Dante
     Answer: A) Bible
     Explanation: Genesis for SET.
113. What social issue is reflected in The Doctrine?
     A) Divorce B) Censorship C) War D) Religion
     Answer: A) Divorce
     Explanation: Marriage laws for JNUET.
114. Which plague affected Milton’s era?
     A) Black Death B) Great Plague (1665) C) London Plague (1625) D) None
     Answer: B) Great Plague
     Explanation: 1665–1669 for NET.
115. What influenced Milton’s classical style?
     A) Virgil’s Aeneid B) Greek drama C) Roman law D) All of the above
     Answer: A) EMVirgil’s Aeneid
     Explanation: Epic tradition for DUET.
116. Which event shaped Lycidas?
     A) Friend’s death B) Restoration C) Civil War D) Plague
     Answer: A) Friend’s death
     Explanation: Edward King’s drowning for TGT.
117. What was the role in Milton’s era?
     A) Censorship B) Education C) Military D) Trade
     Answer: A) Censorship
     Explanation: Parliamentary control for NET.
118. Which monarch restored the monarchy?
     A) Charles II B) Charles I C) James I D) Cromwell
     Answer: A) Charles II
     Explanation: 1660 for SET.
119. What economic change affected Milton’s audience?
     A) Industrial Revolution B) Mercantilism C) Enclosure D) None
     Answer: B) Mercantilism
     Explanation: Trade growth for UPSC.
120. Which event delayed Paradise Lost?
     A) Milton’s blindness B) Civil War C) Restoration D) Plague
     Answer: A) Milton’s blindness
     Explanation: Personal challenge for NET.
121. What was the impact of the Commonwealth on Milton?
     A) Political role B) Exile C) Wealth D) None
     Answer: A) Political role
     Explanation: Latin Secretary for SET.
122. Which institution shaped Milton’s education?
     A) Cambridge B) Oxford C) Private tutors D) Monastery
     Answer: A) EMCambridge
     Explanation: Christ’s College for JNU.
124. What was the role of the Long Parliament?
     A) Legislation B) Censorship C) Military D) Education
     Answer: A) EMLegislation
     Explanation: Civil War era for NET.
126. Which trade influenced Milton’s works?
     A) Silk Road B) Colonial trade C) Spice trade D) None
     Answer: B) EMColonial trade
     Explanation: New World ideas for SET.
128. Which event shaped Milton’s prose?
     A) Restoration B) Civil War
     Answer: B) Civil War
     Explanation: Political turmoil for JNU.
130. Which event influenced Comus?
     A) Aristocratic patronage B) Civil War C) Restoration D) Plague
     Answer: A) Aristocratic patronage
     Explanation: Ludlow Castle for NET.
131. Which work is analyzed for its epic structure?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Areopagitica D) Sonnet 19
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: Miltonic epic for NET.
132. Which work is studied for its theological depth?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Comus C) Sonnet 23 D) Areopagitica
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: God vs. Satan for SET.
133. Which work is analyzed for its libertarian ideas?
     A) Areopagitica B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Samson Agonistes
     Answer: A) Areopagitica
     Explanation: Free speech for JNUET.
134. Which work is analyzed for its pastoral elegy?
     A) Lycidas B) Paradise Lost C) Comus D) Sonnet 19
     Answer: A) Lycidas
     Explanation: Mourning for NET.
135. Which work is studied for its tragic hero?
     A) Samson Agonistes B) Areopagitica C) Lycidas D) Paradise Regained
     Answer: A) Samson Agonistes
     Explanation: Samson’s struggle for JNUET.
136. Which work is analyzed for its feminist readings?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Comus C) Sonnet 23 D) Areopagitica
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: Eve’s role for SET.
137. Which work is studied for its use of blank verse?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Areopagitica D) Sonnet 19
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: Epic style for NET.
138. Which work explores redemption themes?
     A) Paradise Regained B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Comus
     Answer: A) Paradise Regained
     Explanation: Christ’s victory for DUET.
139. Which work is analyzed for its moral allegory?
     A) Comus B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
     Answer: A) Comus
     Explanation: Virtue vs. vice for UPSC.
140. Which work is studied for its sonnet form?
     A) Sonnet 19 B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Areopagitica
     Answer: A) Sonnet 19
     Explanation: Blindness for NET.
141. Which work is analyzed for its political themes?
     A) Areopagitica B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Sonnet 23
     Answer: A) Areopagitica
     Explanation: Censorship for PGT.
142. Which work uses epic similes extensively?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Comus D) Areopagitica
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: Miltonic style for JNUET.
143. Which work explores human suffering?
     A) Samson Agonistes B) Areopagitica C) Lycidas D) Sonnet 19
     Answer: A) Samson Agonistes
     Explanation: Divine justice for SET.
144. Which work is analyzed for its pastoral imagery?
     A) Lycidas B) Paradise Lost C) Comus D) Areopagitica
     Answer: A) Lycidas
     Explanation: Shepherd motif for CTET.
145. Which work is studied for its biblical themes?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Comus D) All of the above
     Answer: D) All of the above
     Explanation: Religious focus for PGT.
146. Which work is analyzed for its prose style?
     A) Areopagitica B) Paradise Lost C) Lycidas D) Sonnet 19
     Answer: A) Areopagitica
     Explanation: Polemic for NET.
147. Which work is studied for its elegiac tone?
     A) Sonnet 23 B) Paradise Lost C) Comus D) Areopagitica
     Answer: A) Sonnet 23
     Explanation: Personal loss for SET.
148. Which work is analyzed for its use of free will?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Comus D) Areopagitica
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: Adam’s choice for TGT.
149. Which work is analyzed for its classical influences?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Comus D) All of the above
     Answer: D) All of the above
     Explanation: Virgil and Dante for NET.
150. Which work is studied for its moral complexity?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Areopagitica C) Lycidas D) Sonnet 19
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: Virgil and Dante for NET.
151. Which work is analyzed for its portrayal of Satan?
     A) Paradise Lost B) Lycidas C) Areopagitica D) Sonnet 23
     Answer: A) Paradise Lost
     Explanation: Anti-hero complexity for JNUET.

Conclusion

John Milton, with timeless lines like “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven” and “The mind is its own place,” remains a titan of English literature. His exploration of faith, liberty, and human struggle in works like Paradise Lost, Areopagitica, and Lycidas is crucial for UPSC, UGC NET, SET, TGT, PGT, CTET, DUET, JNUET, and SSC CGL aspirants. With 11 iconic quotes, including new additions like “Death is the golden key,” and 150 MCQs covering biography, works, themes, context, and critical analysis, this guide is your key to mastering Milton for exam success. Study Milton to excel in your English literature exams!

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