Paradise Lost
Reading and Writing Workshop: "Paradise Lost" and the Epic Tradition
Session 1: Introduction to the Epic Genre & Invocation of the Muse
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Session 2: The Epic Hero and the Anti-Hero
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Session 3: The Cosmic Battle and War in Heaven
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Session 4: The Journey and Quest Motif
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Session 5: The Fall and Loss of Paradise
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Session 6: Prophecy and Vision of the Future
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Session 7: The Epic Ending – Exile and Endurance
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Session 1: Introduction to the Epic Genre & Invocation of the Muse
Primary Text:
- Paradise Lost, Book 1 – Milton’s invocation and the fall of Satan.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26/26-h/26-h.htm#chap01
- The Iliad, Book 1 – Homer’s invocation to the Muse.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6130/6130-h/6130-h.htm#link2H_4_0001
- The epic convention of invoking a muse and beginning in medias res.
- Compare how Milton and Homer each use the invocation of the Muse to frame their narratives. How does this set the tone for each poem?
Session 2: The Epic Hero and the Anti-Hero
Primary Text:
- Paradise Lost, Book 1 – Satan’s speeches and leadership after the fall.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26/26-h/26-h.htm#chap01
- The Aeneid, Book 2 – Aeneas as a heroic leader amidst the fall of Troy.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/228/228-h/228-h.htm#chap02
- The hero as a leader in crisis; contrast between hero and anti-hero.
- Is Satan portrayed as an epic hero or anti-hero in Paradise Lost? Compare him to Aeneas leading the Trojans out of their ruined city.
Session 3: The Cosmic Battle and War in Heaven
Primary Text:
- Paradise Lost, Book 6 – The battle between Satan’s forces and God’s angels.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26/26-h/26-h.htm#chap06
- The Mahabharata, Book 6 – The Battle of Kurukshetra.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/24727/24727-h/24727-h.htm#Page_1
- The grand battle as a key epic element representing cosmic or moral conflicts.
- How do both Milton and Vyasa use battle scenes to convey cosmic struggle and moral alignment?
Session 4: The Journey and Quest Motif
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- Paradise Lost, Book 9 – Satan’s journey into Eden and the temptation of Eve.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26/26-h/26-h.htm#chap09
- The Odyssey, Book 9 – Odysseus’ encounter with the Cyclops.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1727/1727-h/1727-h.htm#link2H_4_0009
- The quest and journey motif as both physical and moral trials.
- How does Satan’s journey through Eden mirror or subvert Odysseus’ heroic wanderings?
Session 5: The Fall and Loss of Paradise
Primary Text:
- Paradise Lost, Book 9 – The Fall of Man.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26/26-h/26-h.htm#chap09
- The Epic of Gilgamesh, Tablet XI – The story of the flood and loss of immortality.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/11000/11000-h/11000-h.htm#tablet11
- The motif of loss: loss of paradise, immortality, or divine favor.
- In what ways do Paradise Lost and Gilgamesh reflect on humanity's relationship with divinity and the theme of loss?
Session 6: Prophecy and Vision of the Future
Primary Text:
- Paradise Lost, Book 12 – Michael’s vision of future redemption to Adam.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26/26-h/26-h.htm#chap12
- The Aeneid, Book 6 – Anchises’ prophecy of Rome’s future greatness.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/228/228-h/228-h.htm#chap06
- Prophecy and the vision motif as sources of hope and destiny.
- How do these prophetic moments shape the protagonists’ understanding of their roles within a cosmic framework?
Session 7: The Epic Ending – Exile and Endurance
Primary Text:
- Paradise Lost, Book 12 – Adam and Eve’s exile from Eden.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26/26-h/26-h.htm#chap12
- Beowulf, End of the poem – Beowulf’s death and the fate of his people.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/16328/16328-h/16328-h.htm#BEOWULF
- Exile, endurance, and legacy in epic conclusions.
- How does Milton’s ending compare to Beowulf in expressing resignation, hope, and endurance beyond loss?