SoSe 13: S-Surveying English Literatures II: Milton's Paradise Lost: Satanic Verses?
Jeff Thoss
Comments
This course focuses on Paradise Lost (1667/1674), John Milton's classic yet bold retelling of the Fall of Man in the guise of an epic poem. While practicing basic skills and methods of interpreting literary texts, we will discuss topics such as the poem's adaptation of biblical and classical texts, its innovative and influential use of language, its engagement with the political, philosophical and religious debates of its time, its portrayal of gender relations and its tumultuous reception history, which, time and again, forced critics to ponder if Milton really was, as William Blake put it, "of the Devil's party without knowing it".
Participants will have to meet the standard requirements: regular attendance and a presentation are obligatory, credits can be obtained by submitting a term paper. The class will be taught in English.
Required text: John Milton, Paradise Lost (recommended editions: Norton Critical, Oxford World's Classics or Penguin Classics).
close13 Class schedule
Regular appointments