John Milton makes one of the boldest (some say the most arrogant) claims in all of world literature. In the opening lines of his great epic Milton says that, “To the height of this great argument I may assert eternal providence, and justify the ways of God to men.” Though his genius is acknowledged by all, it may be perhaps merely his claim (or attempt) to understand the mind of God that he is most famous. Whether or not Milton succeeded has been a debate among literary critics for nearly 350 years. In this project, students will undertake a series of literary tasks, and by the end each student should be able to speak for themselves whether or not Milton succeeded.
Task 1 – The Argument
There are many “problems” in Milton’s epic. They are as follows:
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The “heroic” qualities and tragic flaws of Satan, the sympathies he is shown by the author, and his role as the evil “adversary.”
 The harsh, unappealing, and even uncompassionate role of God as a figure of wrath and judgment versus the poem’s insistence on his holiness and righteousness.
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The philosophical question of whether God can have complete foreknowledge of the fall of man, yet take no personal responsibility for it. (Reference Book III)
 The outdated gender roles of masculine and feminine gender roles that do not apply to us in today’s culture. Was Eve ever capable of resisting temptation?
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Other problems may well occur while you read. If a student wishes to explore a different problem, please get prior approval from me before you go too far.
Each student will address both sides of a problem of their choice in a condensed, focused two page exposition. Textual evidence should be used where appropriate, and equal weight should be given to both sides of the argument. In this segment do not attempt to solve the problem, yet fully justify both sides.
Task 2 – The Conflict
Paradise Lost is a story that revolves around and is completely dependent on some of the most commonly recognized binary opposites: Good vs. Evil, God vs. Satan, Light vs. Dark, Man vs.
Woman, and Free Will vs. Predestination. These are only a few (others can be used), but they are the most easily recognized. Each student will choose at least three of these pairs and discuss in a two page structuralism critique how the binary opposites drive the plot of the epic.
Textual evidence should be used to back up any assertions you make.

Task 3 – The Complexity
Milton uses extremely challenging symbolism and allusions in his work. Some have argued that the complexity of the allusions and symbolism actually obscure Milton’s intentions; however, the work was intended to be written in “high language” to reflect the seriousness of its content.
Students will choose one allusion and one major symbol from two passages in Paradise Lost and describe in detail how those respective elements contribute to the depth of meaning in the passages that contain them. Students will conclude the two page analysis by briefly giving their opinion on whether the complexity of the chosen elements convey depth or obscurity to the passages. Caution: Do not choose a common allusion or symbol, or I will consider this portion of the project a zero. I expect you to challenge yourselves.
Task 4 – Personal Reflection
Given the universal scope of Paradise Lost, it is impossible for each student to come away from a thorough study of this epic without finding a theme that they can personally connect with.
The options are endless. Choose a theme from the epic, major or minor, that you can relate to in your everyday life. What have you learned? How do you see it affecting you in the future?
Is there any aspect of your life that you may view differently now? Do you identify and/or sympathize with a character in the epic? High school seniors can particularly identify with
Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden (innocence, childhood) and entering into a great unknown world in which they have to provide for their own means (adult life, college, workforce, etc.).
In a way, this is the easiest of the four tasks, but in another way it is the most difficult. I will grade this portion of the project on a purely holistic basis. There is no page requirement or limit. Impress me.