John Milton (1608-1674)

1. John Milton (1608-1674) Key points and difficulties (重点和难点) ◆ Analyze the image of Satan in Paradise Lost ( 撒旦在<<失乐园>>中的人物分析) ◆ The themes of Paradise Lost (<<失乐园>>的主题) ◆ Interpreting Milton’s sonnet On His Blindness (解读弥尔顿的十四行诗 “咏失明”)

2. I. Biographical Introduction ◆ born into a prosperous family ◆ received good education from his father, private teacher, studied in St. Paul’s and Cambridge University ◆ living in the country house and writing poetry for some years ◆ took part in political activities by writing public works ◆ in 1652, became totally blind for his heavy reading and writing ◆ three marriages with Mary Powell, Katherine Woodcock, Elizabeth Minshull

3. Works ◆ writing for the revolution—pamphlets ◆ writing poetry epic : Paradise Lost Paradise Regained drama: Samson Agonistes Sonnets (Italian Sonnet) Sonnet: On His Blindness Sonnet: On His Deceased Wife

4. Brief Introduction to Paradise Lost A great epic poem in blank verse, one of the late works by John Milton, consisting of 12 books. Considered by many scholars to be one of the greatest poems of the English language, Paradise Lost tells the biblical story of the fall from grace of Adam and Eve. The main characters are God, Lucifer (Satan), Adam and Eve. Devils (inhabiting hell) and angels (inhabiting heaven and earth)

5. Main Plot • The story is taken from the Old Testament: Satan and other angels rebel against God, but they are defeated and driven from Heaven into Hell. Even amidst the furnace of Hell, Satan is determined to fight back. He assumes the shape of a snake and comes to the Garden of Eden, a paradise where Adam and Eve live. God, after knowing Satan’s plot, sends the Archangel Raphael to warn Adam and Eve. However, Satan still succeeds in seducing Eve to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, which has been totally forbidden by God. As a result, Adam and Eve are exiled by God from the paradise and thereafter live a life full of hardship.

6. The creation----the rebellion in Heaven of Satan and his fellow angels----their defeat and expulsion from Heaven---the creation of the earth and of Adam and Eve----the fallen angels in hell plotting against God----Satan’s temptation of Eve----and the departure of Adam and Eve from Eden

7. Excerpt from Book One 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: That glory never shall his wrath or might Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee, and deify his power Who from the terror of this arm so late

8. Characterization and Theme

9. The Image of Satan Head of the rebellious angels who have just fallen from Heaven. As the poem’s antagonist, Satan is the originator of sin—the first to be ungrateful for God the Father’s blessings. Satan is depicted as the real hero of the poem. Like a conquered and banished giant, he remains obeyed and admired by those who follow him down to hell. He is firmer than the rest of the angels. Though defeated and wounded, he never loses heart in the struggle.

10. Adam and Eve • Adam -  The first human, the father of our race, and, along with his wife Eve, the caretaker of the Garden of Eden. Adam is grateful and obedient to God, but falls from grace when Eve convinces him to join her in the sin of eating from the Tree of Knowledge. • Eve -  The first woman and the mother of mankind. Eve was made from a rib taken from Adam’s side. Because she was made from Adam and for Adam, she is subservient to him. She is also weaker than Adam, so Satan focuses his powers of temptation on her. He succeeds in getting her to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree despite God’s command.

11. Themes • The theme of God’s absolute authority • The theme of rebellion against God’s authority • The theme of original sin (the fall of Adam and Eve)

12. Significance • Paradise Lost was actually written after Milton became totally blind. He spent seven years upon this epic poem. The rebellious Satan is the embodiment of the revolutionary Milton. In spite of his blindness, he endeavors to do his utmost.

13. On His Blindness When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide And that one talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide; “Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?” I fondly ask; but Patience to prevent That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is kingly. Thousands at his bidding speed And post o’er land ocean without rest: They also serve who only stand and wait.”

14. Questions for Discussion • 1. If one becomes disabled, for example, being blind, can he do some significant things for the society? Please illustrate your points by giving us an example. • 2. What kind of mood is revealed in Milton’s On his Blindness? Optimistic or pessimistic? • 3. Please scan the poem.

15. On his Blindness • This sonnet is written in iambic pentameter rhymed in abba abba cde cde, typical of Italian sonnet. • This poem was made when Milton lost his eyesight. It’s about his meditation over his blindness.

16. Overall explanation • Understand “light’ • Light: refers to his blindness and also his inner light (spiritual light and the light of life) • Talent: monetary exchange. when talent is used, it can refer to the story of a master giving three servants coins to hold for him. The master rewards the two that spent them wisely and cast into darkness the servant that has buried it. If Milton buries his talent to use at a later date, it might become hidden forever, and no good will come of it. Actually, his talent of writing poetry is not hidden even after his death.

17. Yoke: the will of God • Patience answers that God does not need man to do work for Him and those obedient to Him bear his mild yoke. • Patience continues to tell Milton that God is being served by thousands of people and the natural world. It seems like that the existence of the speaker makes no significance. • “They also serve who only stand and wait” • Waiting and standing can be its own kind of service. When expressing this, Milton expressed it in a tone of depression and frustration.

18. Tone and Themes • tone: slow, unhappy, and despaired • Themes • The theme of limitation • The theme of light • The theme of duty and submission