Areopagitica

A Speech of Mr. John Milton for the Liberty of Unlicenc'd Printing, to the Parlament of England

By: John Milton

Narrated by: Martin Oldfield

A prose polemic delivered to Parliament in 1644, "Areopagitica" stands as one of the most impassioned defenses of the freedom of expression in Western history.

In the tradition of Athenian orator Isocrates’ speech "Areopagitikos" at the Areopagus in Athens, as well as St. Paul’s defense of Christianity at the same location (Acts 17:18-34), Milton argues against Parliament’s 1643 Ordinance for Regulating Printing, which required authors to obtain government approval before publishing their work.

Though Milton’s work was not successful in persuading Parliament immediately, "Areopagitica" gained praise from leaders and lay alike, and ultimately influenced pro-liberty thinkers such as John Locke and the Founders of the United States of America.

Public Domain (P)2021 New Classic Books

Everyone should listen to this

John Milton giving the best argument for freedom of the press accompanied by a narrator who sounds like he’s speaking Parliament. Highly recommend.

Defence of Freedom of Speech

Brilliant John Milton argues for freedom of speech in England 1644 at the height of the English Civil war. Beautifully read by Martin Oldfield.