Milton and Iqbal: A Comparative Study of Their Thought and Art in Paradise Lost and Shikwa Jawab E Shikwa

Abstract

This paper endeavours to explore the points of similarities between the two poets, John Milton and Allama Muhammad Iqbal, with specific reference to their two famous poems, Paradise Lost and Shikwa Jawab-e-Shikwa. Using the comparative literature framework, it investigates how the two poets, belonging to different times, climes, religions, cultures, and writing in different languages, share a common ground in their thought and art. These include opening their poems with a prologue, justifying the ways of God to men, highlighting the social, political and moral issues, and suggesting the remedies. The paper also explores how Milton and Iqbal draw inspiration from their religious books, i.e., Quran and Bible. Moreover, the analysis also includes as to how the two works were received by the general public and literary critics. After a thoughtful analysis, it is revealed that several corresponding areas make the two works quite similar to each other. Finally, the study concludes that Iqbal’s Shikwah and Jawab e Shikwa is like Milton’s Paradise Lost attempt, though in a different context.