John Milton and Paradise Lost UESTC 1

2 400 th Anniversary of Milton’s Birth

3 First Glimpse of Paradise Lost: Excerpt Appreciation

4 Paradise Lost excerpt (Book I ) What though the field be lost? All is not lost—the unconquerable will, And study of revenge, immortal hate, And courage never to submit or yield: And what is else not to be overcome. That glory never shall his wrath or might Extort from me.

5 To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee, and deify his power Who, from the terror of this arm, so late Doubted his empire—that were low indeed; That were an ignominy and shame beneath This downfall;

6 since, by fate, the strength of Gods, And this empyreal substance, cannot fail; Since, through experience of this great event, In arms not worse, in foresight much advanced, We may with more successful hope resolve To wage by force or guile eternal war, Irreconcilable to our grand Foe, Who now triumphs’, and in the excess of joy Sole reigning holds the tyranny of Heaven.

7 Question What is your impression of Satan in this speech?

8 What is your impression of Satan? Unyielding Revengeful Competitive Proud Eloquent

9 What though the field be lost? All is not lost: the unconquerable will, And study of revenge, immortal hate, And courage never to submit or yield: And what is else not to be overcome?

10 What is your impression of Satan? Unyielding Revengeful Competitive Proud Eloquent devil Admirable?!

11 Response and Criticism Some General Comments

12 “ 英诗人弥尔敦（ J.Milton ），尝取其事作《失乐园》 （ The Paradise Lost ），有天神与撒旦战事，以喻光 明与黑暗之争。撒旦为状，复至狞厉。是诗而后，人 之恶撒旦遂益深。 然使震旦人异其信仰者观 之 ， 则亚当之居伊甸，盖不殊于笼禽，不 识不知，惟帝是悦，使无天魔之诱，人 类将无由生。故世间人，当蔑弗秉有魔 血，惠及人世者，撒旦其首矣。 ” —— 《坟 · 摩罗诗力说》一卷第 73 页， 鲁迅

13 Response and Criticism Chinese Satan---a promethean hero. A rebel against tyranny, against the dictator and established doctrines. Milton's mouthpiece, uttering his hatred of tyranny.

14 Response and Criticism West Attack “Milton is on the side of devil without knowing it” Milton’s heart was at war with his head

15 Questions for A Second View Controversy Focus Milton’s Stumbling-Block Milton’s Justification

16 A Second View of Paradise Lost Paradise Lost as an epic Controversy Focus Paradise Lost as a biblical narrative Milton’s Stumbling-Block & Justification I Paradise Lost as a personal poem Milton’s Justification II

17 Paradise Lost as an epic What is an epic?

18 Paradise Lost as an epic What is an epic? Homeric Tradition Length Subject Matter Epic Hero

19 What is an epic? Length & Subject Matter A long narrative poem, huge and massive Stories about nations, gods, heroes, warfare and adventures Main character---a hero. The purpose of an epic is not only to entertain, but to teach and inspire.

20 Epic Hero main character He reflects the morals and values of the society from which he comes.

21 Epic Hero Models Achilles Odysseus

22 Paradise Lost as an Epic Length 12 Books "None ever wished it longer than it is" ---Samuel Johnson

23 Paradise Lost as an epic Controversy Focus Nation: God’s Kingdom Hero: Is Satan the hero?

24 Paradise Lost as a biblical narrative Part One: Genesis Story of Adam and Eve Part Two: Milton’s Stumbling Block & Milton’s Justification I

25 Paradise Lost as a biblical narrative Part One Genesis Story of Adam and Eve Creation of Adam and Eve Temptation of Snake (Satan) Fall of Adam and Eve

26 Creation of Adam

27 Garden of Eden Paradise

28 Forbidden Tree Forbidden Fruit of Knowledge of Good and Evil

29 Creation of Eve

30 Temptation of the Snake Satan

31 Tempted Adam and Eve

32 Fall of Adam and Eve

33 Fall of Adam and Eve

34 Paradise Lost as a biblical narrative Part Two Milton’s Stumbling Block Milton’s Justification I

35 Milton’s Stumbling Block 1.Why is it sinful of man to eat the fruits? 2.Is Satan evil just because he makes Adam and Eve eat the fruit and know the knowledge? 3.If God is so great, why doesn’t he stop Satan at the beginning?

36 Milton’s Justification I “ Justify the ways of God to men” Why is it sinful of man to eat the fruits? Sin of Pride Is Satan evil because he makes Adam and Eve eat the fruit and know the knowledge? Progressive Degradation of Satan

37 Paradise Lost as a personal poetry Milton’s Justification II National Upheaval Personal Trauma Milton’s Justification Liberty

38 National Upheaval Protestant Reformation Protestant Reformation in England Protestants in England Anglicans Puritans Milton the Puritan The Puritan Age Civil War Cromwell Republican Commonwealth the Republic, Cromwell & Milton Restoration

39 Protestant Reformation Christianity was essentially a matter of an individual relationship between the believer and God--- Individualism overthrown the religious and political authority Split from Roman Catholic Church

40 Protestant Reformation in England Henry VIII Broke with the Church of Rome Anglican Church

41 Protestants in England Anglicans –conservative Protestants Puritans –Business Class –Purify the Anglican Church

42 Puritans Business Class hostile to the traditional structure of authority From Religious Request to Political Request

43 The Puritan Age 1 Civil War/Puritan Revolution: Parliament VS. Monarch Olive Cromwell Charles I

44 The Puritan Age 2 Cromwell Rise on Power Overthrew Monarchy Executed King Republic Protector of England –Virtually king Charles I Beheaded

45 The End of the Puritan Age Restoration Charles II

46 Republic, Milton & Cromwell Latin Secretary Hated Monarch Firmly supported Republic– a heaven on the earth Disapproval of Dictatorship

47 Milton’s Personal Trauma Darkest Time Books Banned Jailed Wife Died Blindness Threatened with execution and assassination Totally Disillusioned

48 Dictated Paradise Lost in Blindness

49 Milton the Puritan Attacked Unjust Authority Advocated liberalizing restrictions on speech Tireless champion of liberty His Idea of Liberty

50 Milton’s Justification II Liberty Milton’s View of Liberty Liberty and God Liberty and Adam & Eve

51 Milton’s View of Liberty Free Will “To be free requires you should act you choose without being forcibly prevented from acting or forcibly acting another way”

52 Liberty & God “sufficient to have stood, though free to fall” kernel of Milton's sense of free will

53 Liberty and Adam & Eve “What is Faith, Love, Virtue unassay’d Alone, without exterior help sustain’d?”

54 Episode Summary 1 “If we look at his picture through seventeenth century eye, if we try not to impose upon it the deceptions of our own historic and personal perspectives, its implications should be plain and unmistakable.” -----Balachandra Rajan