(重点和难点).pptVIP

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 sonnet 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 Sonnets (Italian Sonnet) Sonnet: On His Blindness Sonnet: 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 and comes 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 succeeds in seducing Eve to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, which has been totally forbidden by God. As a