J. Milton by A.A. Anikst. The blind poet, pamphleteer, hero, and revolutionary

This article focuses on studying processes occurring in European culture from the seventeenth to twentieth centuries related to interpreting John Milton's image as a poet, pamphleteer, freedom-lover, hero, and revolutionary in the works of renowned Soviet literary scholar and culturologist A.A. Anikst published between 1930 and 1980. It should be emphasized that this research stands independently and remains relevant today, introducing new perspectives into scholarly discourse by drawing upon extensive Russian and foreign scientific literature along with unique archival sources. The article illustrates how Anikst's studies establish a novel scientific paradigm for analyzing Milton's literary reputation within the critical framework and literature studies of the specified period. The author identifies original aspects in developing the topic and undertakes a systematic analysis using a thesaurus approach. In his research, Anikst explored the influence of the English poet on his contemporary cultural, philosophical, and political life, as well as subsequent generations, science, theater, education systems, music, and visual arts. These areas demand further multilevel analysis and lassification. Additionally, characteristics of initial translations and complete collections of Milton's works from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries are provided, offering deeper insights into mechanisms of dissemination and reception across diverse contexts of the Russian thesaurus.