Book+1

The online text for [|Book 1] (with greatly helpful annotations).

For Seminar next class: JOON, STEPHEN, JOHN, JAEHO, SHANA: Here are some questions you can think about: 1. How does Milton "appropriate" classical paganism (Greek and Roman religion and culture) and at the same time "subvert" it for Christianity? Give examples and be able to naturally talk about ways this is interesting. 2. What do you think about Milton's Satan? Why? Give examples or where Satan is most interesting, and where Milton's characterization of him is as well. Specifics! Lines, phrases, images. Milton's Satan has fascinated us to this day. 3. What are your favorite passages and why? 4. Which lines SOUND the best? Milton's "high style" is famous. Do you hear why when you read him?

Terms and Concepts worth a wow:

EPIC POETRY CONVENTIONS: all start with, and consciously use as model, Homer's //Iliad// and //Odyssey// blank verse enjambment //in medias res// Invocation to the Muse Parnassus Homeric simile catalogues exhortations and "hectorings" (verb: to hector someone - comes from character in Homer's //Iliad//)

PUT YOUR ALLUSIONS TO ANCIENT MYTHOLOGIES - Greek, Roman, AND Hebrew and Christian on the ALLUSIONS page.

COOL FACTS: Milton met Galileo and checked out his telescope! Milton went blind in his later years and wrote [|a poem about it] (he was blind when he wrote //Paradise Lost//)! The word pandemonium comes from //Paradise Lost.//