ABSTRACT
In the Arab-Muslim world, John Milton is not a household name like William Shakespeare or, perhaps surprisingly, Agatha Christie. 1 Where Milton is known in the region, it is chiefl y as the blind poet who wrote Paradise Lost . Many views on Milton are derived primarily from some Arab critics from the fi rst half of the twentieth century, some of which have been infl uenced by Romantic responses. Moreover, as detailed in the Introduction, there are major misconceptions and generalisations about Milton. Recurring themes and perceptions that characterise the reception of Milton in the Arab-Muslim world include a strong emphasis on biography, particularly his religious views and his blindness, as well as a focus on the character of Satan in Paradise Lost . Milton’s biography has been used in the region to support various Islamic viewpoints, while Milton’s seventeenth-century context and construction of Satan have been particularly important in the unexpected utilisation of Milton in issues of Middle Eastern politics. Furthermore, the accessibility and translation of Milton’s works shed light on the revival of Arab culture and literature, this culture’s relationship with its Western counterparts, and the intricacies of religio-cultural issues in the inconsistent political and social climate of the region.
