Paradise Lost context

Question 1

When was Milton alive

Answer 1

1608-1674

Question 2

Milton religion

Answer 2

Strong protestant, tricky to assign to particular group

Question 3

Milton well educated in

Answer 3

greek, latin, classics

Question 4

Milton almost worked for

Answer 4

the church

Question 5

Milton wrote pamphlets

Answer 5

in support of the republican (anti-monarchy) movement

Question 6

In 1644 Milton published

Answer 6

Areopagitica, a pamphlet defending free speech following king’s decision to censor all publications

Question 7

Milton’s first marriage failed when

Answer 7

his young wife returned to her parents

Question 8

Milton advocated divorce

Answer 8

on the grounds of incompatibility (believed only men should initiate divorce)

Question 9

The monarchy was overthrown in

Answer 9

1646

Question 10

Charles 1 was executed in

Answer 10

1649

Question 11

Milton took a role in Cromwell’s government

Answer 11

in the foreign office, writing to advocate republics in Europe

Question 12

The monarchy was restored in

Answer 12

1660 (restoration period)

Question 13

Milton was briefly imprisoned for

Answer 13

his role in the Commonwealth (republican) government

Question 14

Milton wrote paradise lost in

Answer 14

1667

Question 15

After Charles I’s execution, Milton wrote

Answer 15

The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates which defended regicide

Question 16

Milton became deeply disillusioned with

Answer 16

the republican government when it was falling apart

Question 17

Milton wrote paradise lost through

Answer 17

dictation, because he was blind

Question 18

Paradise Lost is an epic poem

Answer 18

in blank verse

Question 19

Second edition of PL in 1674

Answer 19

was split into 12 books, like the Aeneid

Question 20

Milton’s purpose in writing PL was to

Answer 20

“justify the ways of God to man”

Question 21

Milton took inspiration from the bible

Answer 21

book of Genesis, but also other stories and apocrypha (stories that weren’t put in bible but considered for it)

Question 22

Simple summary of book 1 of PL

Answer 22

Satan and his followers banished to Hell following rebellion against God, they plot their revenge and decide to attack mankind

Question 23

Simple summary of PL book 2

Answer 23

Satan debates his plan with other fallen angels, meets with his family (sin, death, chaos, night, discord, confusion) and begins journey to Earth

Question 24

Simple summary of PL book 3

Answer 24

God arranges to send his son to Earth as a man (much later) and Satan tricks his way into paradise

Question 25

Simple summary of PL book 4

Answer 25

Satan spies on A and E, is nearly caught but escapes

Question 26

Simple summary of PL book 5

Answer 26

Angel Raphael warns Adam about danger of Satan, explains the story of Satan’s rebellion against God

Question 27

Simple summary of PL book 6

Answer 27

Raphael describes war between heaven and hell, as well as Satan’s plan for revenge

Question 28

Simple summary of PL book 7

Answer 28

Raphael explains how humans were made

Question 29

Simple summary of PL book 8

Answer 29

Raphael discusses nature of the universe, God and humankind with Adam

Question 30

PL book 9 and 10

Answer 30

The fall of mankind and its consequences

Question 31

Simple summary of books 11 and 12

Answer 31

God tells Adam the history of the bible (before it all happens) including the life of Jesus and predictions of a second coming. Adam feels more optimistic but it overall ends with A and E’s sorrow for their circumstances

Question 32

Final lines of book 12

Answer 32

“The world was all before them, where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide:
They hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow,
Through Eden took their solitary way.”