Researching Milton in Egypt: Politics, Portraiture, and Pasta

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article recalls a series of experiences during a research trip in Egypt that elucidated various findings about John Milton's presence in the Arab world. Aside from a glimpse into the challenges of researching this relatively untapped cultural context in Milton studies, it also shows how these personal encounters link directly to Milton's presence in Egypt. From the intentions and emphases of the region's leading literary translator, to the political contexts and consequences during the Arab Spring that placed curious emphasis on the portraits of Suzanne Mubarak, to the ambiguities related to a new Egypt trying to move on from corruption, this article questions the boundaries of what constitutes early modern scholarship and how such scholarship is conducted.