Paradise Lost context

When was Paradise Lost written

1667

Epic form hero traits

Hamartia, hubris and anagnorisis

Hamartia

Their fatal flaw

Hubris

Their pride and arrogance

Anagnorisis

When they realise the truth/moment of realisation

Ethos

credibility

Pathos

Emotion

Logos

Logic

Edmund Spence

also wrote during Milton's time and used mythical stories to teach moral lessons with protestant ideology

The Reformation

Triggered by Luther it was a criticism of Catholic church, and then Henry the 8th established the Church of English (which was Protestant). However many Puritans felt the Church of England was not reformed enough and had too many Roman Catholic practices.

Genisis Story

The concept that God created everything in 6 days and rested on the 7th

The extent of Milton's Puritain beliefs

He believed in free will and divorce if a wife was not intellectually equal to them

The English civil war

1642-51, Cromwell's government (anti-monarchy) vs Roundheads (pro-monarchy) Milton was a Republican (anti-monarchy)

Milton's wives

His first wife ran away to her Royalist family, second wife died during child birth, third was 30 years younger than who was apparently a harsch stepmother to his children

Milton's children

He had 3 children, and 2 that had died at a young age. His daughters helped him write Paradise Lost because he was blind