English a level - AO5&3 paradise lost

context and literary criticism

how does the King James Version of the book of Genesis influence Milton

published in 1611

King James Version of the bible’s perspectives on free will and obedience are reflected in paradise lost

King James Bible doesn’t mention Satan

how does Puritanism ideology influence Milton

Puritanism emphasised predestination which Milton rejected because he believed free will was central to human responsibility

Milton agreed with the puritan value of a personal relationship with God

Milton’s anti-monarchical views can be seen reflected in Satan as an abuse of power leads to destruction

how is the age of enlightenment related to the reception of Paradise Lost

Milton’s republicanism reflects cultural interest in challenging absolute power

rise of aesthetic theory (philosophy studying beauty and art) celebrated Milton’s ability to evoke the sublime

enlightenment sought to reconcile faith and reason

how does Milton’s health influence his writing

noted his eyesight beginning to fail in a letter in 1943 and became completely blind by 1952

what is renaissance humanism

a 14th-15th century European intellectual movement that focused on what it is to be human. encourages non-religious studies, civic virtue, and the arts

describe the class system in 17th century England

before the mid-17th century civil war it was a Feudal system

when republicans overthrew King Charles I, England entered the monarch-less era called the Interregnum (1649-1660)

Context of the rise of Cromwell

became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth in 1653, establishing the English Republic: characterized by Puritan values and religious reform

Milton supported Cromwell, advocating for freedom of speech and abolishing hierarchy

Summarise context of censorship in Miltonian England

all books subject to government control

blasphemous or overly liberal books were not published and the author could be punished

Milton’s ‘Aeropagitica’ was published in 1644 in response to new censorship laws in 1643, criticising the ethics of censorship and presenting freedom and censorship as opposites

argument from John Dryden (1697)

Satan is the hero of the story and God the tyrant; Milton’s agenda fails

argument and quote from Samuel Johnson (1779) about the poem as a whole

the poem cannot engage a reader's sympathies because it deals with concepts too far beyond human understanding

Milton’s diction is “so far removed from common usage… it’s perusal is a duty rather than a pleasure”

quote from Mary Wollstonecraft (1792) from her publication ‘A vindication of the rights of women’

"let not men then… assert that women ought to be subjected because she has always been so"

2 quotes from William Blake (1770)

"those who restrain desire do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained"

Milton "was a true Poet of the devils party without knowing it"

How does William Blake (1770) interpret Eve

a symbol of spiritual and crеativе inspiration

argument from C.S. Lewis (20th century) on satan

Milton’s portrayal of Satan is so compelling that readers find themselves drawn to him

argument from Stanley Fish (20th century)

a rеadеrs' pеrcеption of Satan arе shapеd by thеir moral and idеological pеrspеctivе

summarise the way the Opera by Krzysztof Pеndеrеcki: “Paradisе Lost” (1976) interprets PL

complexity of Satan’s character highlighted

Adam filled with innocence and wonder

Adam and Eve have a sense of vulnerability

argument from Milton about marriage in ‘The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce’ (published 1643-5)

marriage requires mutual love to be pleasing to humans and God, else it is “nothing but the empty husk of an outside matrimony”

promoted divorce as moral, positive, and in some cases inevitable

quote from Barbara Lewalski

Satan uses rhetoric, “subtly complimenting those rational powers wherein she (Eve) knows herself inferior to Adam”

3 key differences between the punishment of Adam and Eve in PL book X and Genesis 3 (KJV bible)

Milton mentions holy trinity

promise of Jesus’ salvation present in PL

Milton elaborates on the conversation between humans and God

argument from Professor Karen Edwards

Adam is not deceived by Eve, he decides himself to follow her and fall. He loved her and doesn't want to be without her

quote from Caroline Moore

“all hierarchy is consensual and all obedience willing”

Quote from Svendsen

Adam’s book X soliloquy “is one of the loneliest scenes in literature”

Milton’s political views

strongly anti-monarchical even stating in one of his works that regicide could be justified to reach a better political order

a republican supporter of Cromwellian reforms

when was the monarchy restored (the restoration) in England

1660

17th century belief about Kings

appointed by God, justifying their elevated power and socio-economic status

female presence in religious spaces in the 17th century

women allowed to be quaker priestesses in the 1650s, sparking political debate on gender roles in religious authority

when and why was Milton imprisoned

1660 for his outspoken republicanism after the restoration; copies of his political prose publicly burnt in both June and August

Milton’s loss of his son (John) context

born in March 1651, died in 1652

what happens on the anniversary of King Charles I’s execution in 1961

the restored King Charles II had the heads of Cromwell, Bradshaw, and Ireton (republicans responsible for the regicide) displayed on poles in Westminster Hall

when did the plague reach London

1665

when was the great fire of London

September 1666

quote from Samuel Johnson on women in PL

presented as “subordinate and inferior beings”

2 quotes from C.S. Lewis on the falls

“Eve fell through pride”

describes Eve’s temptation of Adam as “murder”

quote from Epsom

“Milton genuinely considered God in need of a defence”

quote from Tillyard

Milton “fails to convince us that Adam and Eve are happy” in their “hopeless position of… perpetual youth”

when was the period of a series of English Civil Wars

1642-1651

when did a delegation of MPs offer Cromwell the crown

1657

Milton’s 5 degrees of repentance, as published in ‘De Doctrina Christiana’

recognition of sin

contrition

confession

abandonment of evil

conversion to good

when did Milton marry Mary Powell

1642, and she returned to her family house a month later and did not see Milton for 3 years

quote from Professor John Rogers

“we have Adam really at his most misogynist” when he is sexist towards Eve, following her “soft words”

how did early (17th century) readers receive paradise lost

a profound theological account of humanity’s relationships with God

what are the concerns of 17th century criticisms of both texts

monarchy, religion, and politics

what are the concerns of 18th century criticisms of both texts

monarchy and morality

what are the concerns of romantic criticisms of both texts

the sublime and power of individual imaginaton

argument and quote from Shelley (romantic)

atheist interpretation of poetry as a political act

Satan’s unrelenting resistance makes him a hero: “Milton’s devil as a moral being as is far superior to his God”

quote from Hazlitt (romantic)

“Satan is the most heroic subject that was ever chosen for a poem”