In Areopagitica, John Milton presents a powerful and passionate defense of free speech, published on November 23, 1644, amid the turmoil of the English Civil War. As a staunch supporter of Parliament, Milton fiercely opposed the Licensing Order of 1643, arguing that censorship was alien to the principles of classical Greek and Roman societies. Rich with biblical and classical allusions, he bolsters his case with personal experiences of censorship, having faced his own struggles while advocating for radical views on divorce. This seminal work stands as one of the most influential philosophical treatises championing the right to free expression. (Summary by Wikipedia)