9. Paradise Lost, Book I

Milton (ENGL 220)The invocation to Paradise Lost is read and analyzed. Milton's tenure as Latin Secretary under the Puritan government, his subsequent imprisonment upon the restoration of the monarchy, and his blindness are all briefly discussed. The poet's subsequent choice of a religious subject, rather than a nationalist one, for his epic is considered in light of the failure of the Puritan regime. His radical poetics, including his stance against rhyme and his unique use of enjambment and double syntax, is closely examined. Elements of the radical philosophy of monism, present in his depiction of angelic bodies, are identified and discussed at length.00:00 - Chapter 1. "Paradise Lost": The Fall of Adam, Eve and the Rebel Angels08:56 - Chapter 2. "Paradise Lost": A Powerful Defense against Lateness13:44 - Chapter 3. "First": A Strategy of Retrospective Anticipation23:14 - Chapter 4. "Paradise Lost": Radical Theology28:25 - Chapter 5. "Paradise Lost": Thoughts Unconstrained by GrammarComplete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/coursesThis course was recorded in Fall 2007. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices