John Milton andJohn Milton andhis his Paradise LostParadise Lost

Teaching PlanTeaching Plan

Part 1 John Milton (introduction) 10’ Part 1 John Milton (introduction) 10’ Part 2 Part 2 Paradise LostParadise Lost 20’ 20’ Part 3 Part 3 The Old TestamentThe Old Testament :Genesis :Genesis

Chapter 3 The Fall of man 10’ Chapter 3 The Fall of man 10’

Milton’s Life and the Three Periods Milton’s Life and the Three Periods of his Workof his Work

““O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon;O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon;

Irrecoverably dark, total eclipseIrrecoverably dark, total eclipse

Without all hope of day!”Without all hope of day!”

Milton is a PuritanMilton is a Puritan A member of a group of English Protestants wA member of a group of English Protestants w

ho in the 16th and 17th centuries advocated strho in the 16th and 17th centuries advocated strict religious discipline along with simplificatioict religious discipline along with simplification of the ceremonies and creeds of the Church on of the ceremonies and creeds of the Church of England.(f England.( 清教徒：兴起于清教徒：兴起于 1616 和和 1717 世纪的世纪的英国新教徒一派的成员，主张严格的宗教英国新教徒一派的成员，主张严格的宗教原则和英国教堂的仪式及教义的从简原则和英国教堂的仪式及教义的从简

A puritan is One who lives in accordance with A puritan is One who lives in accordance with Protestant precepts, especially one who regardProtestant precepts, especially one who regards pleasure or luxury as sinful. puritan s pleasure or luxury as sinful. puritan 清教徒清教徒似的人：尤指那些把快乐或奢侈看作罪恶似的人：尤指那些把快乐或奢侈看作罪恶的根据新教戒律生活的人的根据新教戒律生活的人

English ProtestantsEnglish Protestants A member of a Western Christian church A member of a Western Christian church whose faith and prawhose faith and pra

ctice are founded on the principles of the Protestant Reforctice are founded on the principles of the Protestant Reformation, especially in mation, especially in the acceptance of the Bible as the sole sthe acceptance of the Bible as the sole source of revelation,ource of revelation, in justification by faith alone, and in th in justification by faith alone, and in the universal priesthood of all the believers.e universal priesthood of all the believers.

新教徒：西方基督教会的一个成员，其信仰和实践建立在新教徒：西方基督教会的一个成员，其信仰和实践建立在新教改革运动中提出的原则之上，并把圣经作为上帝启示新教改革运动中提出的原则之上，并把圣经作为上帝启示的唯一来源，只承认因信称义，并认为所有的信徒都有作的唯一来源，只承认因信称义，并认为所有的信徒都有作教士的资格教士的资格 ..

A member of a Western Christian church adhering to the theoA member of a Western Christian church adhering to the theologies of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli.logies of Luther, Calvin, or Zwingli. 支持路德，加尔文或茨支持路德，加尔文或茨温利神学的西方基督教教会的成员温利神学的西方基督教教会的成员

many early puritans looked with misgivings on the many early puritans looked with misgivings on the secular imagination. They mistrusted literature on the secular imagination. They mistrusted literature on the same principle that they mistrusted statures( given same principle that they mistrusted statures( given idols), church music, and elaborate religious rituals, idols), church music, and elaborate religious rituals, and thought these were allurements and enticing of and thought these were allurements and enticing of the sensual world. the sensual world.

Milton is the great exception to the puritan’s Milton is the great exception to the puritan’s abandonment of poetry abandonment of poetry

( John Bunyan, the prose)( John Bunyan, the prose)

When blank verse came to the masterly hand When blank verse came to the masterly hand of John Milton (1608-1674), he deliberately of John Milton (1608-1674), he deliberately distorted the normal syntax and sound –patters distorted the normal syntax and sound –patters of English speech while retaining the privilege of English speech while retaining the privilege of drastic metrical variation. His finest effects of drastic metrical variation. His finest effects are gained by playing the thought and feeling are gained by playing the thought and feeling structure of his large rhythms against the structure of his large rhythms against the expected regular beat. expected regular beat.

The sustained rhythmic nobility and sonorous The sustained rhythmic nobility and sonorous sweep lend magnificence to the form. Sometisweep lend magnificence to the form. Sometimes he allowed himself not only variations witmes he allowed himself not only variations within the pentameter line, but also those of the lihin the pentameter line, but also those of the line length itself to give specific effects. It has bne length itself to give specific effects. It has been improved & made “ the noblest medium foeen improved & made “ the noblest medium for verse’, with ‘ the sense variously drown out fr verse’, with ‘ the sense variously drown out from one verse to another.’ rom one verse to another.’

Tendency towards speech rhythm makes it possible fTendency towards speech rhythm makes it possible for blank verse to appear in large numbers of run-on lior blank verse to appear in large numbers of run-on lines and combine them in what is called “ Metrical Parnes and combine them in what is called “ Metrical Paragraphs” (also known as verse paragraphs), each of wagraphs” (also known as verse paragraphs), each of which containing one or more sentences unified by a chich containing one or more sentences unified by a common mood or thought, with long flexible cadences ommon mood or thought, with long flexible cadences extending from one line into another, (in which the siextending from one line into another, (in which the single line is less clearly the unit o the metre than is congle line is less clearly the unit o the metre than is common in any other metrical pattern). mmon in any other metrical pattern).

since spacing is not used in blank verse, metricsince spacing is not used in blank verse, metrical paras are more often indicated by indentatioal paras are more often indicated by indentation. They move along wave upon wave in an elan. They move along wave upon wave in an elaborate way, and may carry the entire piece of pborate way, and may carry the entire piece of poetry into a considerable length. oetry into a considerable length.

Blank verse has proved its fitness for continuoBlank verse has proved its fitness for continuous description.us description.

The place of rhyme is taken in some measure by an esThe place of rhyme is taken in some measure by an especially marked use of tone-color or verbal melody.pecially marked use of tone-color or verbal melody.

The absence of rhyme and stanza, those obvious decoThe absence of rhyme and stanza, those obvious decorative elements, fits blank verse for the more serious arative elements, fits blank verse for the more serious and dignified types of poetry. Hence Blank verse has bnd dignified types of poetry. Hence Blank verse has been regarded as the proper measure of epic, dramatic, een regarded as the proper measure of epic, dramatic, and long reflective poems, while rhyme is specially reand long reflective poems, while rhyme is specially reserved for lyric poetryserved for lyric poetry.( REF Wang Baotong, How Po.( REF Wang Baotong, How Poetry Rings, Henan University Press, 1998, 148-153)etry Rings, Henan University Press, 1998, 148-153)

Part 3 Part 3 Paradise LostParadise Lost and Genesis and Genesis Chapter 3 The Fall of man Chapter 3 The Fall of man

Read aloud (see the textbook)Read aloud (see the textbook)

Question: are the first lines rhymed?Question: are the first lines rhymed?

Are they finished ? Are they finished ?

Unrhymed lines eg.Unrhymed lines eg. Run-on sentences eg.Run-on sentences eg. Distorted syntax eg.Distorted syntax eg.

The Main Idea Of The Main Idea Of Paradise LostParadise Lost

The ChaptersThe Chapters The Story related to the Old TestamentThe Story related to the Old Testament Satan’s Characterization ( Draw a summary)Satan’s Characterization ( Draw a summary)

Paradise LostParadise Lost (published 1667) is an (published 1667) is an epic poemepic poem in 12 in 12 books of books of blank verseblank verse by by John MiltonJohn Milton describing the describing the ChristianChristian story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and EveAdam and Eve by by SatanSatan and their expulsion from the and their expulsion from the Garden of EdenGarden of Eden. .

The protagonist of this The protagonist of this ProtestantProtestant epic, is the fallen epic, is the fallen angel, angel, SatanSatan. Milton presents Satan almost . Milton presents Satan almost sympathetically, as an ambitious and prideful being sympathetically, as an ambitious and prideful being who defies his creator, omnipotent who defies his creator, omnipotent GodGod, and wages , and wages war on heaven, only to be defeated and cast down. war on heaven, only to be defeated and cast down. Some critics regard the character of Satan as a Some critics regard the character of Satan as a Byronic heroByronic hero. .

Milton begins his story Milton begins his story in media resin media res, after Satan and t, after Satan and the other rebel angels have been defeated and cast dowhe other rebel angels have been defeated and cast down by God into n by God into HellHell. In . In PandæmoniumPandæmonium, Lucifer must e, Lucifer must employ his rhetorical ability to organize his followers; mploy his rhetorical ability to organize his followers; he is aided by he is aided by MammonMammon and and BeelzebubBeelzebub. .

Later, Lucifer enters the Garden of Eden, where he suLater, Lucifer enters the Garden of Eden, where he successfully tempts Eve, wife of Adam, to eat fruit from ccessfully tempts Eve, wife of Adam, to eat fruit from the the Tree of KnowledgeTree of Knowledge of good and evil. of good and evil.

Influences include the Influences include the BibleBible, Milton's own , Milton's own PuritanPuritan upbringing and religious perspective, upbringing and religious perspective, Edmund SpenserEdmund Spenser, and the Roman poet , and the Roman poet VirgilVirgil. .

On April 27, 1667 the blind, impoverished On April 27, 1667 the blind, impoverished Milton sold the copyright of Milton sold the copyright of Paradise LostParadise Lost for for £10. £10.

Later in life, Milton wrote Later in life, Milton wrote Paradise RegainedParadise Regained, , charting God's returning to man the possibility charting God's returning to man the possibility of paradise. This sequel has never had a of paradise. This sequel has never had a reputation equal to the earlier poem. In reputation equal to the earlier poem. In The The Marriage of Heaven and Hell,Marriage of Heaven and Hell, William Blake William Blake commented: commented:

The reason Milton wrote in fetters when he wrThe reason Milton wrote in fetters when he wrote of Angels & God, and at liberty when of Dote of Angels & God, and at liberty when of Devils & Hell, is because he was a true Poet and evils & Hell, is because he was a true Poet and of the Devil's party without knowing it. of the Devil's party without knowing it.

In the late 1970s, the Polish composer KrzysztIn the late 1970s, the Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki wrote an opera based on of Penderecki wrote an opera based on ParadiParadise Lostse Lost. .

Genesis chapter 3Genesis chapter 3

The Fall of the ManThe Fall of the Man Read the photocopiesRead the photocopies

GenesisGenesisChapter 3Chapter 3

1 1 Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the animals

that the LORD God had made. The serpent asked the that the LORD God had made. The serpent asked the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the woman, "Did God really tell you not to eat from any of the trees in the garden?" trees in the garden?"

2 2 The woman answered the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit The woman answered the serpent: "We may eat of the fruit

of the trees in the garden; of the trees in the garden;

3 3 it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the it is only about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the

garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, garden that God said, 'You shall not eat it or even touch it, lest you die.'" lest you die.'"

4 4 But the serpent said to the woman: "You certainly will not But the serpent said to the woman: "You certainly will not

die! die!

5 5 1 No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your 1 No, God knows well that the moment you eat of it your

eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know eyes will be opened and you will be like gods who know what is good and what is bad." what is good and what is bad."

6 6 The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to The woman saw that the tree was good for food, pleasing to

the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her some of its fruit and ate it; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. together and made loincloths for themselves.

8 8 2 When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving 2 When they heard the sound of the LORD God moving

about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man about in the garden at the breezy time of the day, the man and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among and his wife hid themselves from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. the trees of the garden.

9 9 The LORD God then called to the man and asked him, The LORD God then called to the man and asked him,

"Where are you?" "Where are you?"

10 10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid, He answered, "I heard you in the garden; but I was afraid,

because I was naked, so I hid myself." because I was naked, so I hid myself." 11 11

Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked? You Then he asked, "Who told you that you were naked? You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!" you to eat!"

12 12 The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with The man replied, "The woman whom you put here with

me--she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it."me--she gave me fruit from the tree, so I ate it."

13 The LORD God then asked the woman, "Why did you do 13 The LORD God then asked the woman, "Why did you do such a thing?" The woman answered, "The serpent tricked such a thing?" The woman answered, "The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it." me into it, so I ate it."

14 14 Then the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you Then the LORD God said to the serpent: "Because you

have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals have done this, you shall be banned from all the animals and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you and from all the wild creatures; On your belly shall you crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life. crawl, and dirt shall you eat all the days of your life.

15 15 3 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and 3 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and

between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your between your offspring and hers; He will strike at your head, while you strike at his heel." head, while you strike at his heel."

16 16 To the woman he said: "I will intensify the pangs of your To the woman he said: "I will intensify the pangs of your

childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children. Yet childbearing; in pain shall you bring forth children. Yet your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your your urge shall be for your husband, and he shall be your master." master."

17 To the man he said: "Because you listened to your wife 17 To the man he said: "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, and ate from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat, "Cursed be the ground because of you! In toil shall you eat "Cursed be the ground because of you! In toil shall you eat its yield all the days of your life. its yield all the days of your life.

18 18 Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you, as you eat of Thorns and thistles shall it bring forth to you, as you eat of

the plants of the field. the plants of the field.

19 By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to 19 By the sweat of your face shall you get bread to eat, Until you return to the ground, from which eat, Until you return to the ground, from which you were taken; For you are dirt, and to dirt you you were taken; For you are dirt, and to dirt you shall return." shall return."

20 20 4 The man called his wife Eve, because she became 4 The man called his wife Eve, because she became

the mother of all the living. the mother of all the living. 21 21

For the man and his wife the LORD God made For the man and his wife the LORD God made leather garments, with which he clothed them. leather garments, with which he clothed them.

22 22 Then the LORD God said: "See! The man has Then the LORD God said: "See! The man has

become like one of us, knowing what is good and become like one of us, knowing what is good and what is bad! Therefore, he must not be allowed to what is bad! Therefore, he must not be allowed to put out his hand to take fruit from the tree of life put out his hand to take fruit from the tree of life also, and thus eat of it and live forever." also, and thus eat of it and live forever."

23 23 The LORD God therefore banished him from the The LORD God therefore banished him from the

garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken. had been taken.

24 24 5 When he expelled the man, he settled him east of 5 When he expelled the man, he settled him east of

the garden of Eden; and he stationed the cherubim the garden of Eden; and he stationed the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword, to guard the way to and the fiery revolving sword, to guard the way to

the tree of life.the tree of life.

John Milton’s Own Explanation John Milton’s Own Explanation

To Justify God’s __________________.To Justify God’s __________________. Read Genesis Chapter 3 The Fall of ManRead Genesis Chapter 3 The Fall of Man

( the photocopies)( the photocopies)

The Significance of Paradise LostThe Significance of Paradise Lost

Satan’s Rebellious SpiritSatan’s Rebellious Spirit Satan serves as Milton’s MouthpieceSatan serves as Milton’s Mouthpiece

Main ReferencesMain References

Wang Baotong, How Poetry Rings, Henan University Press, 1Wang Baotong, How Poetry Rings, Henan University Press, 1998 998

王佩兰， 马茜，黄际英， 《英国文学史及作品选读》， 王佩兰， 马茜，黄际英， 《英国文学史及作品选读》， 东北师范大学出版社，东北师范大学出版社， 19921992