Milton’s rich and varied prose works remain among his greatachievements as a writer; moreover, they address issues thatremain compelling to a wide readership in the twenty-firstcentury. His prose writings examine and grapple with suchmajor topics as freedom of the press; religious toleration andliberty of conscience; divorce, gender, and marriage; politicalservility and idolatry; the dangers of tyranny and the nature ofpopular sovereignty; and the significance of political debate,dispute, and dissent. Milton published his own ideas about astrenuous and demanding education – articulated mostthoroughly in his tract Of Education – that would have crucialimplications for reforming his nation and help to make “aknowing people” capable of “searching [and] revolving newnotions” and of “fast reading, trying all things, assenting to theforce of reason and convincement” (Areopagitica, p. 207)