(重点和难点).ppt

John Milton (1608-1674)
Key points and difficulties (重点和难点)

◆ Analyze the image of Satan in Paradise Lost
( 撒旦在<<失乐园>>中的人物分析)
◆ The themes of Paradise Lost
(<<失乐园>>的主题)
◆ Interpreting Milton’s On His
Blindness
(解读弥尔顿的十四行诗“咏失明”)
I. Biographical Introduction
◆ born into a prosperous family
◆ received good education from his father,
private teacher, studied in St. Paul’s and
Cambridge University
◆ living in the country house and writing
poetry for some years
◆ took part in political activities by writing
public works
◆ in 1652, became totally blind for his heavy
reading and writing
◆ three marriages with Mary Powell,
Katherine Woodcock, Elizabeth Minshull
Works
◆ writing for the revolution—pamphlets
◆ writing poetry
epic : Paradise Lost Paradise Regained
drama: Samson Agonistes
s (Italian )
: On His Blindness
: On His Deceased Wife
Brief Introduction to Paradise Lost
A great epic poem in blank verse, one of the late works by John Milton, consisting of 12 books.

Considered by many scholars to be one of the greatest poems of the English language, Paradise Lost tells the biblical story of the fall from grace of Adam and Eve. The main characters are God, Lucifer (Satan), Adam and Eve.
Devils (inhabiting hell) and angels
(inhabiting heaven and earth)
Main Plot
The story is taken from the Old Testament: Satan and other angels rebel against God, but they are defeated and driven from Heaven into Hell. Even amidst the furnace of Hell, Satan is determined to fight back. He assumes the shape of a snake es to the Garden of Eden, a paradise where Adam and Eve live. God, after knowing Satan’s plot, sends the Archangel Raphael to warn Adam and Eve. However, Satan still eeds in seducing Eve to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, which has been totally forbidden by God. As a result, Adam and Eve are exiled by God from the paradise and thereafter live a life full of hardship.
The creation----the rebellion in Heaven of Satan and h