ABSTRACT
In Eikonoklastes, Milton uses spiritual reading to expose the true image of Charles within the deceptive Eikon Basilike. In interpreting that text, Milton remains an alert and suspicious reader, treating Eikon Basilike’s author as an enemy. To at least some extent, all worldly texts require such suspicion, since no worldly author, Milton believes, can be entirely pure. But is the Bible exempt? In this chapter, I will examine Milton’s extensive Biblical interpretation in his De Doctrina Christiana, and demonstrate that while Milton’s interpretative process in it may be less suspicious, it retains its strenuous and critical character. Furthermore, Milton provides a model of Biblical reading for his readers just as he demonstrates how to read Eikon Basilike in Eikonoklastes: by presenting a vigorous process of interpretation and forcing his readers to work through it.
