John Milton, The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce

Neil Forsyth (Université de Lausanne)

Ed. by Neil Forsyth, Université de Lausanne
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.04: English Writing and Culture of the Seventeenth Century, 1625-1688.
Vol. editors: Jennifer Brady (Rhodes College), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Neil Forsyth (Université de Lausanne), Claire Preston (Queen Mary, University of London), J A Roe (University of York), Virginia Mason Vaughan (Clark University)

Domains

Family Politics

Dates

First circulation or publication 1643

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Religion and Spirituality (any)
- Religious writing

Resources

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In 1643-44 Milton published four tracts relating to marriage and divorce. He argued that “the chief and noblest end of marriage” is “a meet and happy conversation” which works as a remedy “to comfort and refresh ... against the evil of solitary life” (

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246). Absence of this possibility justifies divorce. Milton apparently expected that most of the Presbyterian divines who now controlled Parliament would rally to his cause. He was very wrong. In spite of Henry VIII, or perhaps because of him, divorce was virtually impossible in England. In exceptional cases it might be granted by parliament, but was mostly a matter for the ecclesiastical courts. Canon law had stipulated six grounds for divorce: sexual offences (i.e. adultery, sodomy and bestiality), impotence,…

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3082 words

Citation: Forsyth, Neil. "The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 20 December 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=1051, accessed 18 April 2024.]

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