RP#1 - Milton Response

As a means of seeding ideas for your first response paper, please reply with at least three potential theses which may become your central argument.

The class notes page has been added for your reference, so please feel free to source ideas from our class discussions.

Further guidelines for this first response paper are as follows:

1. two-to-three pages in length
2. double-spaced type
3. one-inch margins
4. Times New Roman, 11-12pt. font
5. stong central thesis statement, with at least two supporting main points 
6. clear reference and quotation from Milton's text to support each main point; however, external sources may be utilized to offer further support to your points
7. MLA formatted citations and accompanying works cited "page" for Milton and any other source which you employ 
8. a conclusion, which offers a larger connection to any of the central themes of the course thus far discussed... also, here you may include a short analysis of the film Dogma in conjunction to your thesis, should it present itself fruitful to your paper

Thank you all so much for such a lively discussion of Milton! I do hope that you enjoyed reading a selection of his text.

Sincerely,
s.

JR#3 - The Birth of Evil, Sin, Death, and Pain...

Plate 24 from Gustave Doré's illustrations of Paradise Lost, depicting Satan beaten back and fallen after sustaining a severe blow from the Archangel Michael's sword which "in half cut sheer [...] / All his right side" (VI.325, 327). This is the first instance in which a being of God's creation felt hurt, suffering, and "pain [that] writh'd him to and fro" (VI.327-328).

This moment is vastly significant for a number of reasons... For this journal entry, please detail your reaction to the utter chaos, din, and hullaballoo which erupts in Heaven during Satan's rebellion. As we have now read the first 800 or so lines of Book VI, you are well suited to comment upon the futile nature of the battle itself and the utter folly of Satan's attempts to usurp God's Throne. 

Lastly, consider and comment upon the following words of the epic poem's speaker, who is Milton indeed... Here you may certainly tie any of the course and textual themes which we have discussed throughout the class!

I Might relate of thousands, and thir names
Eternize here on Earth; but those elect 
Angels contented with thir fame in Heav'n
Seek not the praise of men: the other sort
In might though wonderous and in Acts of Warr,
Nor of Renown less eager, yet by doome
Canceld from Heav'n and sacred memorie,
Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.
(Milton VI.373-380)