UA News

The UA community is holding its 11th annual Milton Marathon, with a 12-hour reading of his work.

This year marks the 400-year anniversary of the birthday of John Milton, the 17th century English writer famed for his epic poem "Paradise Lost."

Joining institutions across the United States, The University of Arizona on Friday will hold a 12-hour reading of the 10 books that make "Paradise Lost."

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the reading, which is in its 11th year. And, given the anniversary of Milton's birth, the event will take on a celebratory tone, said Ryan Paul, a doctoral degree candidate in the English department.

"It's a great experience, even for people who may be intimidated by Milton – and he is an intimidating poet," said Paul, one of the event organizers. "It's such an amazing work. There is a certain boldness to trying to talk about the creation and rewrite Genesis, essentially."

The poem was first published in 1667 and includes narrations about the fall of humankind, Adam and Eve, Satan as well as themes related to free will. Milton was born Dec. 9, 1608, and died Nov. 8, 1674.

The 12-hour event will be held Friday beginning at 8 a.m. in room C205 of Special Collections, located in the Main Library at 1510 E. University Blvd. Light refreshments will be served during the marathon, which is free and open to the public.

The marathon is sponsored The University of Arizona Libraries, UA surgery professor Marlys Witte, and W.W. Norton & Company. Participants will read from Milton's 12-book version, which was published in 1674. 

The marathan began at the UA more than 10 years ago after English professor John Ulreich, who has taught Milton for decades, initiated the event.

"It's been a very popular event," Paul said, noting that it draws people from across the campus community and in the greater Tucson community – some to read aloud, some to read along and others to sit and watch.

"It's a great way to hear the poem," he said, noting that Milton had become blind by the time he finished writing the poem.

"That's really important because it is meant to be heard, and this is a completely auditory experience," Paul added. "And when you hear it read it somehow makes more sense."

"Milton is such a big name. There are few other names in English literature that command the same kind of power – like (William) Shakespeare, for instance, " Paul said.

Part of Milton's popularity stems not only from his astute writing style, but also from the period in which he lived.

Milton lived toward the end of England's Renaissance period, a time of political and religious conflict. His life also spanned the civil war in England, the execution of King Charles I and the reinstatement of his son as king, Paul noted.

"You can get a really amazing picture of the period through his poem," Paul said.

"Because of the conflicts he lived through and wrote into his work, it appeals to people in any time period," he added. "Even in our own time we've seen political and religious upheavels."