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John Milton . “Paradise Lost”. Paradise Lost . Retold the story of the Bible: Creation Fall Redemption Milton told this in two epics “Paradise Lost” “Paradise Regained” This symbolizes the plight of England and its monarchy. The speaker’s situation. Milton went blind in 1652
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John Milton “Paradise Lost”
Paradise Lost • Retold the story of the Bible: • Creation • Fall • Redemption • Milton told this in two epics • “Paradise Lost” • “Paradise Regained” • This symbolizes the plight of England and its monarchy
The speaker’s situation • Milton went blind in 1652 • Because he was unable to write, he dictated or told his daughters what to write • He opposed the monarchy and went to jail • He was “blind, disgraced, and disillusioned” • It took him 10 years to complete • “Paradise Lost” is known as the greatest English epic
Plot Overview • The epic begins in the middle • Satan with his allies (angels/demons) have rebelled against God • God has sent him to Hell • A place devoid of light, life, and form • “One great furnace flamed, yet from those flames / No light, but rather darkness visible / Served only to discern sights of woe.”
Plot Overview • The epic follows the story of the Bible • God forbids Adam and Eve to eat of the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil • Because Satan wants revenge, he manipulates Eve and has her eat of the fruit and convince Adam to do the same • Because of this they and humanity are thrown out of the Garden of Eden • For Milton, the old England. Satan destroying Christianity
The Fall of Humanity vs. the fall of England’ Christianity • Reason and Free Will: • Humanity can see the difference between right and wrong. • Free Will and Predestination: • God knows everything that is, was, and will be. • Unlike the Puritans who believed they were predestined for Heaven, Milton brought out the point that humanity makes that decision because of the free will granted by God.
Author’s Motivation • Milton was challenging the official Church of England • He motivated people to return to the origins of Christian Religion • It was at this time that the Civil War in England occurred • Charles I was put to death.
Allusions • Satan – the destructive forces that had torn through the nation • Fall of Satan – return of the power of Christianity in England
Journal Question • Avatar • The Hunger Games • Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close • Schindler’s List • What examples can you explain where literature, including drama, deals with a real historical crisis?