Paradise Lost Context Flashcards
What does Milton’s portrayal of Satan reflect
conventions of the anti - hero such as in Dante’s inferno
What was the idea of ‘Humanism’?
believed God was present in all human being, humans had the capacity to become perfect in a postlapsarian world.
What was the Protestant Reformation?
Begins to focus Christianity on an individual’s relationship with God, and made religion more accessible translating the bible into more widely spoken languages.
What did Francis Bacon say in 1620 which supported the trend to move away from ancient teachings and the catholic church - paving the way for modern science?
‘observation and experimentation should be the basis of all knowledge - rather than ancient writings’
What did Milton publish in 1644, and what did it advocate?
Aereopagitica - free speech and removal of censorship.
What did Daiches say which supports the theory of ‘felix culpa’?
that ‘only the morally tarnished are capable of true virtue’
What did Leonard say about Milton’s portrayal of Satan?
‘readers must decide if Milton satanises the epic or holds Satan up to the epic standard and finds him wanting’
What year was the Monarchy re-established under Charles II?
1660
What classic epic does Milton’s exploration of the spiritual/ spacial hierarchy echo?
Virgil’s Aenied
What did Milton publish in 1649 which defended the regicide of Charles I?
‘Tenure of Kings and Magistrates’
What was the name of the original draft?
‘Adam Unparadised’ (a play)
What war that spanned 1618 -1648 increased political and religious tensions in Europe?
30 years war
When was Paradise Lost Published?
1667
Quote from De Doctrina Christiana which encourages readers to criticise Adam’s selfish behaviour.
“reservation of superior rights to the husband” - perhaps therefore Milton implicitly criticises Adam as fallen to Eve’s “female charm”
Augustinian pessimism discussed in his doctrine - The City of God
- the original sin –> the postlapsarian human condition
- flawed society went against Renaissance Humanism
