Before proceeding with today’s prompts, study an introductory lecture.
References to the poem should take the form of book number followed by a period and line number(s). Support your responses to the prompts by citing specific passages and quoting their contents.
The poem opens with the first of several invocations to the Muse, the Muses in Greek mythology being goddesses of inspiration. Milton’s Muse is Urania, goddess of astronomy and cosmology, first named in Book 7. Because Milton is a Christian poet, he does what many Renaissance writers did: he Christianizes Urania by associating her with the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Begin by reading (and, if you wish, listening to) the opening invocation: 1.1-26.
How would you describe the voice and demeanor of this narrator? And how might we respond to his proposal to “justify the ways of God”?
Why is “Sing” (6) the predicate (i.e. active verb) of this long opening sentence?
What do we think of the image of the muse at 19-21? To what is Milton alluding, and why does it matter?
Satan, first mentioned as the “infernal Serpent” at line 34, is also the first major character to be introduced to the reader. Milton invests this figure with a surprising charisma and grandeur. Why? Perhaps most distinctive in this regard is Satan’s psychological depth and other qualities we recognize as human. This is a risky choice, no? Examine the following speeches and offer some analysis of the Satanic character, citing specific passages you find especially striking. The first three are Satan speaking to Beelzebub, one of the senior devils, followed by Beelzebub’s response, then Satan’s reply:
These opening speeches are followed by an amazing description of Satan from the narrator’s perspective (1.191-220). How does this narrative context, this point of view, affect our understanding of the speeches that precede it? Now read and comment on Satan’s following speech (1.242-70).
The ensuing narrative includes a lengthy epic catalogue listing the various demons, the once-heavenly angels who sided with Satan in rebellion (1.376-522). With whom does Milton associate these infernal beings, and why is this significant? Note in particular the names included at lines 508-21.
Examine Satan’s address to his minions at lines 622-62. Keeping in mind what we know of Milton’s politics, especially his ideological opposition to monarchy, what is most striking about this speech, and why? Does it make sense for Milton to characterize Satan in this way?
Now examine the construction of Pandemonium (1.670-775). The name is one of many of Milton’s contributions to the English language, a word that combines two Latin words and here means something like “place filled with devils.” Cite a passage or two you find especially striking and explain why.
Finally, consider the narrator’s closing observation at lines
768-98, “As bees ....” This passage combines two prevalent features of PL, the epic simile and Miltonic irony. Find out
what is an epic simile and then describe how this one works. Then consider how
and in what sense the passage is ironic.
If you wish, cite and comment upon some passage or aspect of Book 1 not covered by any of the prompts.