2.19 Reading Guide to Paradise Lost, Book 1 (pp. 1831-50)
Due before class on October 25. Five points.
1. In "The Verse" (p. 1831), Milton states his opinion of long, rhymed poems. What objection does he have to rhyme?
2. The first sentence in Paradise Lost is 16 lines long. What is the main subject and verb?
3. What does Milton hope to do in Paradise Lost, as stated in the second sentence? That is, what is his stated purpose for writing the poem?
4. Look at the first speech of Satan, on pages 1834-35 (lines 84-124). What is the setting of this part of the poem? What has just happened to Satan? What admirable character traits does Satan possess?
5. Who is Beelzebub? What question does he ask Satan in lines 143-55?
6. What advantage does Satan claim for Hell on pages 1837-38?
7. Satan is described on pages 1838-39, and again on pages 1845-46. Briefly summarize what he looks like at this point in the poem (ll. 283-98 and 584-99).
8. Milton has a catalog of Satan's follower's on pages 1840-43, listed by the names they will receive later in human history (lines 364-69). What do the names of all these spirits (Moloch, Chemos, Astoreth, etc.) have in common?
9. On pages 1846-47, Satan addresses his troops. On what (and whom) does he blame his defeat in battle?
10. Since they have been defeated militarily, what does Satan suggest as a strategy for the future?
2.20 Reading Guide to Paradise Lost, Book 4
Due before class on October 27. Five points.
(Please note that line numbers start over in each new book.)
1. Satan arrives on earth at the beginning of Book 4. Look closely at his opening soliloquy, lines 32-113. He is thoughtful at first, as he remembers his old life in Heaven. On page 1888, what two things in his own character does he admit to as the cause for his fall? What does he say that God didn't deserve?
2. Compare Satan's description of Hell in Book 4, lines 20-23 and 68-78 to what he says about Hell in Book 1, lines 254-63. What has changed?
3. Give two reasons why Satan says, on pages 1889-90, that he will not repent and submit to God.
4. What four abstractions does Satan say goodbye to in lines 105-110?
5. Adam and Eve are described on pages 1893-94 (lines 288-324). Besides their physical appearance, how do Adam and Eve differ?
6. What important fact does Satan learn from Adam's conversation with Eve on pages 1896-97?
7. On page 1899, Uriel reports to Gabriel. Of what does he inform him?
8. What sort of work do Adam and Eve do in the Garden of Eden, as indicated by Adam's speech on page 1900?
9. Where do the angels Ithuriel and Zephon find Satan? What animal form has he taken? What is Satan doing to Eve when he is discovered?
10. When he is discovered, Satan is surprised to see that the other angels don't recognize him. Why don't the angels recognize Satan?
Optional Extra Credit for those who attended The Bourgeois Gentleman:
11. For 10 points, why does Monsieur Jourdain refuse to allow his daughter Lucile to marry Cleonte, the man she loves?
Due before class on October 27. Five points.
(Please note that line numbers start over in each new book.)
1. Satan arrives on earth at the beginning of Book 4. Look closely at his opening soliloquy, lines 32-113. He is thoughtful at first, as he remembers his old life in Heaven. On page 1888, what two things in his own character does he admit to as the cause for his fall? What does he say that God didn't deserve?
2. Compare Satan's description of Hell in Book 4, lines 20-23 and 68-78 to what he says about Hell in Book 1, lines 254-63. What has changed?
3. Give two reasons why Satan says, on pages 1889-90, that he will not repent and submit to God.
4. What four abstractions does Satan say goodbye to in lines 105-110?
5. Adam and Eve are described on pages 1893-94 (lines 288-324). Besides their physical appearance, how do Adam and Eve differ?
6. What important fact does Satan learn from Adam's conversation with Eve on pages 1896-97?
7. On page 1899, Uriel reports to Gabriel. Of what does he inform him?
8. What sort of work do Adam and Eve do in the Garden of Eden, as indicated by Adam's speech on page 1900?
9. Where do the angels Ithuriel and Zephon find Satan? What animal form has he taken? What is Satan doing to Eve when he is discovered?
10. When he is discovered, Satan is surprised to see that the other angels don't recognize him. Why don't the angels recognize Satan?
Optional Extra Credit for those who attended The Bourgeois Gentleman:
11. For 10 points, why does Monsieur Jourdain refuse to allow his daughter Lucile to marry Cleonte, the man she loves?
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