Hallmark Hall of Fame

13. Blaze of Darkness

About the mid-seventeenth century John Milton used his fiery pen to espouse the cause of Oliver Cromwell against the throne, since he believed that Cromwell would make England the World's first true democracy. Milton worked hard in this cause and though he was warned that continued eye-strain might cause him to lose his sight. Cromwell's advent to power plunged England into a strict dictatorship to Milton's disillusionment. Milton once again took up the pen to denounce Cromwell and, before long, overwork led to the poet's, total blindness. His personal star continued in descent when Charles II, after his restoration, had the poet imprisoned as a traitor. Despite these overwhelming setbacks, Milton lived to write the immortal "Paradise Lost."