This final module of the course concludes the analysis of "Samson Agonistes," focusing on the poem's sexual imagery. Discussions will explore Milton's choice of subject matter and the ethics of his tragic hero, comparing him to characters in earlier epics. The module will emphasize the relationship between Milton's biography and his literary works, providing a comprehensive understanding of his poetic legacy.
The introductory module sets the stage for understanding John Milton's significance as a poet and thinker. It explores Milton's life, his association with literary power, and the feminist perspectives of contemporaries like Lady Mary Chudleigh and Virginia Woolf. The discussion will also highlight Milton's portrayal of divine authority and Satan's critique of it in "Paradise Lost," offering insights into Milton's complex identity and literary legacy.
This module focuses on Milton's early ode, "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity," examining the poet's aspirations and competitive spirit. Students will analyze the intertwining of Christian and classical themes in Milton's work and his rejection of paganism. Additional readings will provide context to Milton's early poetic voice and thematic concerns, setting the groundwork for understanding his evolving literary style.
This module examines the concept of vocation in Milton's life and work, addressing his anxieties about being a Christian poet chosen for greatness. Discussions will include Milton's reflections in "The Reason of Church Government," "Ad Patrem," and his letters, placing particular emphasis on the parable of the talents and the nature of divine selection. Context from Calvin and Weber will enrich understanding of Milton's theological concerns.
In this module, Milton's first publication, "A Mask Presented at Ludlow Castle," is analyzed alongside his views on chastity. The discussion will delve into the sexual ideals depicted in the masque and Milton's vision of the poet's heaven. Connections to biblical texts and historical contexts will be explored to understand Milton's evolving perspectives on virginity and the role of the poet within society.
This module continues the exploration of Milton's masque, focusing on its depictions of virginity and chastity. By comparing the 1634 and 1637 versions, students will analyze the evolving portrayal of these themes. Milton's notes and historical context will provide insight into his shifting views on virginity and the implications of these perspectives for his later works.
This module focuses on "Lycidas," exploring its themes as a pastoral elegy and its engagement with theodicy. Students will analyze the speaker's quest for immortality and the poem's Christian dilemmas. The interplay of eroticism and pagan elements within the poem will be examined, revealing Milton's complex relationship with faith and literature.
This second lecture on "Lycidas" delves into moments of revelation, focusing on Saint Peter's sermon and its relation to Puritan practices. The module will analyze the poem's paired structures and substitutions, culminating in a discussion of Milton's emerging prophetic voice, marking a significant shift in his poetic identity.
In this module, Milton's political tract "Areopagitica" is analyzed, focusing on its critique of state censorship. Discussions will explore Milton's use of various sources, including mythology and scripture, as well as his metaphors related to moral truths. This examination reveals the early foundations of Milton's rhetoric, which will reappear in "Paradise Lost."
This module explores the invocation of "Paradise Lost," analyzing Milton's historical context, including his role as Latin Secretary and his blindness. The choice of a religious subject over a nationalist one reflects Milton's response to the Puritan regime's failure. Students will assess Milton's innovative poetic techniques, including enjambment and double syntax.
This second lecture on "Paradise Lost" examines the depiction of hell and its inhabitants in Books I and II. Students will analyze Milton's literary allusions to predecessors like Homer and Spenser, particularly in the cave of Mammon episode. The complexities of good and evil within the poem will also be discussed, offering insights into Milton's portrayal of the Christian hell.
This module investigates Milton's characteristic use of simile in "Paradise Lost," particularly in Books I and II. The focus will be on how these similes enhance or complicate the portrayal of Satan and thematic concerns like free will and divine providence. Critical perspectives from scholars will be integrated into the analysis, enriching the understanding of Milton's poetic techniques.
This module examines the invocation to light in Book Three of "Paradise Lost," tracing Milton's conceptualization of his blindness through his letters and sonnets. The transformation of blindness from a spiritual punishment to a poetic gift will be explored, along with the implications of this transformation for understanding Milton's broader literary themes.
This second lecture on Book Three of "Paradise Lost" focuses on the dialogue between God and the Son, exploring Milton's modification of Calvinist predestination. The implications of Milton's theological views on free will will be discussed, along with their connections to 17th-century political movements. This analysis will deepen the understanding of Milton's religious and political thought.
This module analyzes Book Four of "Paradise Lost," focusing on the depiction of Adam and Eve and the sexual politics of Eden. The module will consider contemporary political theory, particularly Hobbes's ideas, alongside Milton's attempts to portray an unfallen world. Discussions will engage with feminist and sexist interpretations of Milton's Eden, culminating in an examination of Rembrandt's drawing of Adam and Eve.
This module contrasts the depiction of human and angelic hierarchies in "Paradise Lost," focusing on Books Five and Six. Students will analyze the contrasting narratives of Raphael and Satan regarding creation. The exploration of arbitrary decree versus egalitarianism will highlight Milton's questioning of accepted religious and social doctrines, emphasizing his innovative approach to traditional themes.
This module focuses on the creation narrative in "Paradise Lost," particularly in Books Seven and Eight. Students will explore Milton's use of imagery and the concept of digestion, drawing on the ideas of Paracelsus. The gendering of the muse and its implications for the poem's portrayal of creation will be examined, connecting previous discussions on sexual hierarchy.
This module presents the depiction of the Fall in Book Nine of "Paradise Lost," analyzing Adam and Eve's conversations about labor and temptation. The strategic nature of Satan's temptation of Eve will be closely examined, culminating in a discussion of their new fallen sight and the implications of their loss of innocence, emphasizing the poem's theological and moral complexities.
This second lecture on the Fall in "Paradise Lost" focuses on the theme of wandering and its transformation throughout the poem. Students will investigate the literary context of wandering in romance and analyze how the moral ambivalence of earlier books contrasts with the more definitive representations found in Book Nine.
This module discusses the final two books of "Paradise Lost," focusing on their stylistic shift towards didacticism. Students will analyze the Archangel Michael's teachings on post-fallen history and Milton's political views. The exploration of the destruction of paradise will highlight the poem's thematic evolution and Milton's nuanced approach to understanding human history.
This final lecture on "Paradise Lost" examines Book Twelve's justification of Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden, comparing it with the Genesis account. The attributes of Milton's God will be discussed, alongside the closing lines of the poem, which reflect Milton's complex views on Providence and free will. This analysis will encapsulate the course's overarching themes of divine authority and moral responsibility.
This module introduces "Paradise Regained," focusing on the first two books and the differences in style and subject matter from its predecessor. Students will analyze the depiction of the Son of God and Satan, exploring the characters' lack of recollection of previous events. The parallels between the Son's identity development and Milton's own poetic journey will be discussed, providing a lens for understanding Milton's evolution as a writer.
This second lecture on "Paradise Regained" examines the temptations faced by the Son of God, focusing on Milton's deviations from the Gospel of Luke. The module will explore the poem's assertion of knowledge over action, analyzing the Son's rejection of classical literature and the implications of the sphinx riddle for understanding Milton's thematic concerns.
This module introduces "Samson Agonistes," focusing on a psycho-sexual reading of the poem and its association of sexuality with violence. The characterization of Dalila and her parallels with Samson will be discussed, along with the complexities of Miltonic heroism, particularly the notions of self-sufficiency and heroic sacrifice.
This final module of the course concludes the analysis of "Samson Agonistes," focusing on the poem's sexual imagery. Discussions will explore Milton's choice of subject matter and the ethics of his tragic hero, comparing him to characters in earlier epics. The module will emphasize the relationship between Milton's biography and his literary works, providing a comprehensive understanding of his poetic legacy.