ABSTRACT
WetumnowtoMilton'sconceptionofnaturallawandman'sconditionina stateofnatureasexpressedthrougharangeofhisproseandpoetry.InThe TenureofKingsandMagistrates,Eikonoclastes,ADefenceoftheEnglish People,andASecondDefenceoftheEnglishPeopleMiltondescribesat considerablelengththereasonswhytherepublicwascreatedandinthe processcontinuallyjustifiestheregicide,arguablyitsdefiningmoment.A Defence,asiswellknown,isareplyandrebuttalofDefensioRegia,written bythenotedcontinentalhumanistSalmasiustoexpressEurope'shorrorat theunprecedentedactofputtingakingontrialforhislifeandthenexecuting himwhenhewasfoundguiltyofcrimesagainstthestate.Attheheartofthe debateliewidelydifferinginterpretationsastowhatconstitutesthelawof natureandtheoriginsofsovereignty.Whilebothwritersagreethatthe welfareofthepeopleliesattheheartofaruler'sresponsibilities,theirideaof wherepowerresidesisentirelyincommensurate:forSalmasiusnaturallaw dictatesthatsovereigntyisembodiedintheking;Milton,ontheotherhand, arguesthatultimatepowerresidesinthepeople.
