밀턴의 애정관: 르네상스 우정과 기독교적 결혼의 상관관계

Abstract

This study analyzes Milton's concept of love based on his idea about marriage and his own relationship with his friend. First, it discusses one of Milton's prose writings, the Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce, and finds his concept of Christian marriage well demonstrated in the idea of divorce. Milton seems to argue that the true Christian marriage comes realized only when husband and wife are united both physically and spiritually. Traditionally, so much emphasis has been put on the physical aspect of marriage that people have practiced divorce in an improper way, believing that Jesus' injunction endorses it mainly based on the physical uncleanness. In his defense of divorce, however, Milton emphasizes the idea of incompatibility as a ground for divorce. This view on divorce suggests what makes the ideal marriage between man and wife: that is, compatibility. Thus this study finds the source of Milton's concept of ideal marriage in his almost homoerotic relationship with Charles Diodati. Letters between these two friends show that they both enjoyed their companionship and found comfort and peace in each other's presence, just as husband and wife are supposed to have in their married life. Therefore, Milton's concept of love has both spiritual and physical elements that make the relationship truly whole and balanced, just like the relationship God united between the first couple in the Garden of Eden. While the Platonic relationship, if it is restricted to men's spirituality, lacks a physical contact, marriage has the upper hand in that it can enjoy both aspects of human relationship.