John Milton (1608-1674)

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This page provides an index to my essays about John Milton, the 17th century English poet, essayist, theologian and civil servant. Though primarily focused on an exposition of Paradise Lost, I also introduce you here to a few of his sonnets and other significant writings. 

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Here are some expositions of some of Milton's other works:

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1.  His sonnet on blindness

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Here are my essays on Paradise Lost.  The first fifty focus on Book I of PL; the next sixteen discuss issues in Book III; the final four present some introductory thoughts on Book IV.  I wrote most of the essay in Summer and Fall 2009.

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1.  Cracking the Code of Milton

2. Paradise Lost T-Shirts

3.  Introduction to Paradise Lost

4.  Milton as Writer I

5.  Milton as Writer II

6.  Milton's Blindness I

7.  Milton's Blindness II

8.  The Muse and the Spirit:  Introducing Book I

9.  The Fragility of Language:  An Overview of the Prologue (1.1-26)

10. Wordplay and Humor in Book I

11.  The Language of I.1-26, First Essay

12. The Language of I:1-26, Second Essay

13.  Welcome to Hell; I. 27-83, First Essay

14.  Welcome to Hell; I. 27-83, Second Essay

15.  Welcome to Hell; I. 27-83, Third Essay

16.  Satan Speaks, I. 84-124 First Essay

17.  Satan Speaks, I. 84-124, Second Essay

18.  Satan Speaks, I. 84-124, Third Essay

19.  Beelzebub Responds, I. 125-155, First Essay

20. Beelzebub Responds, I. 125-155, Second Essay 

21.  Satan Responds to Beelzebub, I. 156-191, First Essay

22. Satan Responds to Beelzebub, I. 156-191, Second Essay

23.  Home on the Plain, I.192-209

24.  Home on the Plain, I.210-241

25.  Satan Speaks Again, I. 242-282

26.  Similes, I. 283-315, First Essay

27.  Similes, I. 283-315, Second Essay

28.  More Similes, I. 315-338

29.  The Numbers of Demons, I. 338-365

30.  The Names of Demons, I. 365-376

31.   The Parade of Demons, I. 376-505, First Essay

32.  The Parade of Demons, I. 376-505, Second Essay

33.  The Parade of Demons, I. 376-505, Third Essay

34.  The Parade of Demons, I. 376-505, Fourth Essay

35.  The Parade of Demons, I. 376-505, Fifth Essay

36.  Milton's Knowledge and Confusion, I. 506-521, First Essay

37.  Milton's Knowledge and Confusion, I. 506-521, Second Essay

38.  Plucking Up Courage, I. 522-550, First Essay

39.  Plucking Up Courage, I. 522-550, Second Essay

40.  The Doric Mode, I. 550-589

41.   The Strength of the Rebel Angels, I. 567-621

42.  More Similes, I. 595-620

43.  Teasing Out Poetic Brilliance, I. 619-633

44.  Satan Speaks--Again, I. 622-662.

45.  Building Hell, I. 670-730, First Essay

46.  Building Hell, I. 670-730, Second Essay

47.  Gathering at Pandemonium, I. 730-798, First Essay

48.  Gathering at Pandemonium, I. 730-798, Second Essay

49.  Gathering at Pandemonium, Similes in I. 765-798, Third Essay

50.  Finishing Book I

51.   Hymn to Light, Book III. 1-12, First Essay

52.  Hymn to Light, Book III. 1-12, Second Essay 

53.  Milton's Ambition, First Essay

54.  Milton's Ambition, Second Essay

55.  Rethinking Predestination in Book III, First Essay

56.  Rethinking Predestination in Book III, Second Essay

57.  Justifying God in Book III, First Essay

58.  Justifying God in Book III, Second Essay

59. The Father and the Son in III, 135-216, First Essay

60. The Father and the Son in III, 135-216, Second Essay

61.  The Father and the Son in III. 135-216, Third Essay

62.  The Father Concludes, III. 203-216

63.  An Interlude and Speech of the Son, III. 217-266

64.  The Son and the Father Talking, III. 227-343

65.  The Angelic Chorus in III. 344-415, First Essay

66.  The Angelic Chorus in III. 344-415, Second Essay

67.  Introducing Book IV

68.  Gratitude in IV.50-57

69.  Satan in IV. 132-201, First Essay

70.  Satan in IV. 132-201, Second Essay

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