Idea of natural law in Milton's 'Comus' and 'Paradise Lost

This dissertation tries to locate Milton's optimistic view of man and nature as expressed in Comus, Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce, and Paradise Lost in the long tradition of natural law that goes back to Aristotle, Cicero, and Aquinas. Opposing the Hobbesian and Lutheran attempt to undermine the theological assumption that man is innocent and rational, Milton reassesses human nature as closely related to divine nature by appropriating the scholastic theories of natural law. Whereas Hobbes and Reformed divines view human nature as self-centered and depraved, Milton, influenced by the natural-law traditional, advocates human dignity and autonomy. In Comus, while the Lady represents the ethical norm of nature, the hedonistic Comus is a figure that Hobbes describes as a representative of humanity. In Paradise Lost, rationally aware of his end of fulfilling his possibilities as a moral and religious being, Adam obeys God and proves himself to be an embodiment of goodness and innocence. Even after the Fall, Adam still retains a rational and moral power, as demonstrated by his genuine repentance of the sin and reconciliation with God.;Adam perceives that moral life consists in virtuous acts and in the love of God and enjoys God's blessing. Natural law also encompasses sexuality as a constructive force for self-preservation and happiness. Contrary to the Protestant dogma that sees sexuality as corrupt, the Thomist theory of natural law provides Milton with a positive view of human sexuality. Man is a free agent because one is endowed by God with reason, the faculty that leads man to do moral acts.;Milton's argument for divorce stems from his belief in natural law: because natural law (as a higher law) permits divorce, the lower law (canon law) should not abrogate the Mosaic permission of divorce. To force incompatible couples into the marriage yoke is both unnatural and against God's will. The subjects of natural law--conjugal love and happiness--are divinely intended, and no human law should interfere with natural law. Philosophers of natural law and Milton believe in the innocence, reason, and dignity of man.