Abstract
The general purpose of this thesis will be to analyze certain principles of classical rhetoric which exist, in the Areopagitica. Twentieth-century scholars have shown the extent of classical influence on the rhetoric of the Areopagitica in many areas. However, they have either skipped over or explained superficially some important aspects of Milton's debt to classical rhetoric. These are Milton's invention of arguments by means of the Topics, his use of the ethical appeal by portraying himself as an ideal classical orator, and his use of the techniques appropriate to deliberative rhetoric. We shall first define these principles according to the classical rhetoricians, and then we shall show how Milton uses these rhetorical principles in the exordium, the statement, the four main arguments, and the peroration of the Areopagitica.