Paradise Lost Critical Analysis Essay - Worth 50 points Objectives: Select an essay prompt from the provided list or create your own (subject to my discretion). Using the poem and outside resources, write a critical analysis essay with the following requirements: 4-5 pages MLA formatting Double-spaced, 12-point font Works Cited page Topics: A. Satan destroys God's creation because he wants to be heard and not ordered. Does Milton represents God as someone who refuses to listen? Does God oppress Satan and his followers? Is Satan’s revolt against heaven understandable? B. Compare Satan and God. 1) Are they both black-and-white representations of good and evil or are they more complex? 2) What is their relationship to each other? Define the nature of their rivalry. C. Milton wrote Paradise Lost in the 17th Century. Think about the world and, in particular, Britain during this period and discuss whether the book reflects what was happening. 1) What are the book's themes? Do they relate to Britain's political or social environment in the 17th Century? If so, how? 2) Is Milton's vision a direct result of what was happening in the world at that time? Or is the vision more universal and timeless? D. Why do you think Milton represents Paradise and Hell as he does? Is it more serious than modern day representations? What sort of tone do these settings give to the poem? How would this tone change if you swapped Milton's representation for a more modern day representation? E. Examine Milton’s personal religious beliefs. How are they at odds with mainstream Protestant and Catholic views in the 17th century? How does he make his beliefs known throughout Paradise Lost? F. Are Milton’s portrayals of God and the Son plausible with Protestant Christian doctrine, or is Milton creating these versions of the characters to fulfill a literary purpose? Take into account both Milton’s personal beliefs and literary structures and themes. Thesis:________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Planning:
