Of Ordinary Men and Angels: Skin Color and Slavery in The Blazing World and Paradise Lost
John Rogers, University of Toronto
This talk pursues the implications of the overlooked treatment of skin color in Cavendish’s The Blazing World and Milton’s Paradise Lost. The “ordinary men” of the utopian fantasy are sorted by their skin tones, azure, purple, green, scarlet, and orange. Milton’s angels, whose dermal hue is voluntary rather than fixed, may choose, “as likes them best,” their “color” (6.343). Presenting fanciful, if compressed, treatments of creaturely coloration, Cavendish and Milton are seen to respond, with varying degrees of indirection and antithetical energy, to the relation of the phenotypic differences among human populations to the institution of slavery.
“And in their motions harmony divine”: The Materialism of Milton and Cavendish
Sarah Baber, PhD Candidate of English, University of Notre Dame
When Milton’s universe erupts into song, the planetary motions produce a harmony so divine and charming “that God’s own ear / Listens delighted” (PL 5.626–7). But what does it mean for readers to listen to such ‘harmonious motions,’ and what are the stakes? This paper proposes that harmony offers a new way of understanding the natural philosophy of both Milton and his contemporary, Margaret Cavendish. Together, their depictions of harmony suspend hell, restore bodily order, and unite heaven and earth. Tracing this motif across their works, this paper explores what reading harmony as both a metaphor and realized instance reveals about their animist materialism.
Register
This event is free, but all participants must register in advance. Space is limited, so please do not request a paper unless you plan to attend.
Register and Request PaperSeminar Schedule
9:30 AM Coffee and Introductions
10 -11:30 AM Sarah Baber, University of Notre Dame
11:30-1 PM Break for Lunch
1-2:30 PM John Rogers, University of Toronto
2:30-3:15 PM hosted closing coffee and tea reception
About the Format
The Milton seminar’s new format includes one junior scholar (not yet tenure-track) and one senior scholar who will circulate their work in advance for the seminars' discussions. Papers will be available after April 23, 2025.
For the next meeting in spring 2026, we will have a Call for Papers on John Milton from junior scholars (not on a tenure track appointment). The call will be announced in spring and abstracts will be submitted online.
About the Milton Seminar
This Center of Renaissance Studies seminar brings together interested scholars to read and discuss pre-circulated papers on aspects of Milton studies. The Newberry’s Milton Seminar is organized by Angelica Duran (Purdue University), Stephen Fallon (University of Notre Dame), Katarzyna Lecky (Loyola University), Regina Schwartz (Northwestern University), Joshua Scodel (University of Chicago).