Areopagitica
A Speech for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing to the Parliament of England
Areopagitica, published in November 1644, is John Milton's speech to the Parliament of England against the ordinance of the previous year that required every book to be licensed before printing. Written as a classical oration and named after a speech of Isocrates, it argues from the history of censorship in Greece, Rome and the Church that licensing was an invention of the Inquisition, that a good book is the precious life-blood of a master spirit, that virtue untested is no virtue, and that truth, if let loose to grapple with falsehood, will not be put to the worse. Milton excludes popery and open impiety from his toleration, and he had himself just felt the licensers' displeasure over his writings on divorce. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Areopagitica
Areopagitica by John Milton can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Areopagitica online?
Yes. Areopagitica opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Areopagitica free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Areopagitica is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Areopagitica in the public domain?
Yes. Areopagitica by John Milton is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Areopagitica?
About 1 h 13 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Areopagitica?
Areopagitica by John Milton is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
