If you have already used Shakespeare's The Tempest for Short Paper #2, then you must write Short Paper #3 on John Milton's Paradise Lost.
Below are some example ideas, topics, and theses to get your minds' gears turning!
-- Your paper could be an examination and interpretation (i.e., a close reading and an analysis) of a particular passage or series of related passages of importance. So, for instance, you could take a closer look at Prospero's final words in The Tempest and discuss how this speech highlights some of the major themes and issues presented by the play. Or, you could examine the moment when Satan meets Sin and Death in Book II of the epic Paradise Lost. You should essentially deconstruct the lengthy passage of choice a few lines at a time, rather than attempting to discuss the entire thing at once.
-- A few noteworthy topics in Milton's text are the following:
- Exile as a function or result or one's own free will and choice. Think about this one for a moment... I'd argue that each of the texts we have read this semester have offered at least one character who has been exiled. The interesting thing about these individuals is that when taking a closer look, it appears true that each character who is exiled has reached that state because of their own choice(s). The alchemists--the Canon and the Yeoman--desire to ever-practice their art, even if the cost is to live broke, on the fringes of towns and villages. Dante the Poet was amidst much political turmoil, and because of his desire for power and recognition he was forced into exile when the Blacks overtook the Whites. Sure, Prospero was also forcibly removed from Milan and driven to the deserted isle where the play takes place; however, could not it also be said that his love for his studies led to his neglect of "worldly ends" and thus caused his own exile from society? Satan similarily chooses his own path... obviously, we all know his rebellion is thwarted and he is cast with his crew from Heaven into a permanent state of exile; yet, the deeper and more intriguing exile Satan experiences is the internal conflict resulting from his attempted war against God. What emotions does he feel and what thoughts does he think as he gazes towards Heaven, knowing full-well that he will never again be granted access to those gates of gold?
- The commentary in Paradise Lost on the monarchy, sovereignty, tyranny, empire, and regicide! How is God's rule described? How is Satan termed in this leadership of the demonic hoard?
- The parody and perversion of God's creations. Pandaemonium is a prime example. Consider also the falsehood of Satan; his actions, yes, but especially his words!
- Free will and the profound power of one's choice and one's mind/spirit.
Hope these help! Remember that you can always draw from your classmates' thoughts and ideas, improving them or commenting on them accordingly to offer your own interpretation and reading.
I was thinking about writing a paper discussing the choice of words of Satan and how his voice changes from demonic to There are specific lines throughout the text that I will focus on. For example, I was thinking about using the example that I bought up in class when Satan pretended to be a cherub and bring falsehood. And how his tone changes from speaking spiteful to talking so angelic in Book 3. And in Book 4, his tone changes when he meets Eve when he met in the Garden of Eden.
ReplyDeleteAn idea I was contemplating pursuing for my thesis paper is focused around Satan's character. Not only from his ability to persuade but also his view of free-will and his plan to wrest control of heaven from g-d and how his opposition toward authority plays into his entire being, from his plans of corrupting man-kind, to tricking Eve.
ReplyDeleteFor SP 3 I am interested in writing about the double role of early epic poetry. One role of the poem is for beauty yes, but I am mainly interested in the socio-political arguments that Milton conveys through Paradise lost. I feel that Milton made Satan’s character more relatable to the reader by having him constantly develop. Having the reader see Satan in this light was important for the poem to convey the power of our free will; particularly the free will of Milton’s society at this time. He felt it was his duty to prophesize this message therefore it was not his intention to solely tell a religious tale. Instead, it was to inform the reader of this message of free will while using religious texts to back up his argument.
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ReplyDeleteI was thinking of a paper topic, involving both Satan and God, and how they are similar and different.
ReplyDeleteFor Short Paper 3, I plan on writing about Chaos and Chance as characters in Paradise Lost. Milton presents Chaos and Chance as a character in book 2 by referring to it as a Proper noun. Case and point is that he chooses to capitalize the letter C. Further proof is on pg 71, it says "And Chaos of Nature, hold Eternal anarchy amidst the noise Of endless wars and by confusion stand" (lines 895-897). Chaos and Nature are clearly intertwined according to Milton. It is obvious that both are characters because they are referred to in the form of proper nouns. Further proof is "Chaos umpire sits And, by decision, more embroils the fray by which he reigns; next him a high arbiter Chance governs all" (lines 906-910). Chance, like Chaos is a character in this poem.
ReplyDeleteIn my essay I will write about Chance and Chaos as characters, but I will not write about Nature as a character because it is not the same type of character as Chance and Chaos. Nature is different. In my essay, I will present an argument as to why this is so.
Through out Paradise Lost, Satan is very emotional; torn between his pure undistilled hatred towards God and his yearning to be in the realm of heaven serving under god once again.
ReplyDeleteI find Satan to be an interesting and fascinating character in the poem. There are many sides to him and Milton devotes a lot of attention to his character. At times he is demonic and at times heroic. I would like to write about the many sides to Satan in the poem.
ReplyDeleteI am leaning towards discussing how human inclination toward behavior that mimics that of evil nature rather than heavenly choices. This is portrayed through Milton's discussion and depiction of Hell as compared to that of Heaven.
ReplyDeleteWhat I really want to talk about is Satan's Character and how he plays his role as a deceiever in paradise lost. Even though There are heroic and demonic personalities amongst certain characters in the poem, I want to investigate how much milton's is in depth with his characters
ReplyDeleteEven though this is a story about human's origin and our relation with God, Satan's fall and rise has been equally significant if not more important. His personal exile is described in full detail in terms of psyche, justification and torment. There are more juice in Satan's journey of no return for he brings about and facilitates the revelation of many questions/doubts everyone might have toward God and God's divine plan.
ReplyDeleteI have one idea in mind that I think is interesting to write about. It seemed to me that Satan's character and Milton have similar traits. either it was done accidentaly or on purpose, Milton used his personal beliefs and thoughts to create Satan and make him so relatable to humans. We can also see some similarities where both Milton and Satan were exiled and went against the ruling class.
ReplyDeleteFor short paper #3, I plan on writing about Satan as a character, developing into what he will later become. I love Milton's portrayal of Satan as someone so anthropomorphic, and I intend to show his banality throughout his ordeal with god, to paint god as some sort of antagonist.
ReplyDeleteIn short paper # 3 i want to talk about Satan in his human form. I would also like to talk about his persuasive speech methods he uses throughout the poem. Or i would like to discuss how Milton shows the two sides of Satan one of those being heroic and the other having a demonic personality.
ReplyDeleteA topic that I might use is the concept of free will and choice. As we discussed in class free will is the only thing that cant be taken away from anyone and in my opinion is gods best gift.
ReplyDeleteIn Short paper three I plan on taking just a piece of the book and analysis it. The part I will do is in Book 2 Lines 1-105. I feel this is an important that foreshadows important acts to follow.
ReplyDeleteThe thesis that I came up for short paper 3 is: Milton shows through Satan, a character overcome with sexual lust, the idea of lust as an evil. I think this is a good paper topic because Milton makes many references to this throughout Paradise Lost.
ReplyDeleteIn Paradise Lost, Milton emphasizes the fall of men by showing how Eve was seduced by the serpent, Satan. This is a result of the free will that God has given humans-p.83(3.99-102). God is not responsible for the fall of men. The freewill that humans have caused their own fall.
ReplyDeleteIn paradise lost, Milton emphasizes the free will that caused men's fall by showing Eve being seduced by the serpent, Satan. God is not responsible for the fall of men but the choice that humans make with the free will that they have. The reason God does not stop Satan since He gave men free will and as a result, men should be able to withstand Satan's tempter.
ReplyDeletethe thesis that i thought of pretains to satans charachter as shown in the first book vs. the change that we see especially in the forth book. i would like to talk about what could possibly be the cause behind this change and what could lead up to.....can it be free will or was he blinded by evilness....in addition, where dose god come in the prespective of this change of heart can he be part of it if he is almighty and knowing.
ReplyDeleteFor paper three I will analyze Satan's speech (Book 2 11-105). I believe this is an important passage because its Satan's himself describing his disagreement with god's rule. This passage focuses on his motive to get revenge, it also acknowledges his weaknesses and foreshadows Satan's plan.
ReplyDeleteMy idea for the paper is to write about free will. Every person is given a choice in life, the way the choose to make these choices are up to them. I would like to look further into how our decisions bring us to heaven or hell
ReplyDeleteim leaning to what louiskoutros said in his post the topic of both satan and God ,not only would i like to do similar and different but also maybe see it in a religious point of view as well and possibly see whats wrong and right.
ReplyDeleteIm figuring that God has everthing under control because I guess that if everyone want to be good they cant. First of all they will always be a bad or wrongful doing person in this entire world some it may happen by mistake or wrong doing but then their is always negetive people in the world but as it come to the final stage (Death)that when evryone will know how life is Heaven some people come back to life you may not know if it happen to you and I think I came back as myserlf but alot of things are different inmany cases. The thing with hell I don't know what going to happen in that situation.
ReplyDeleteThese are the fact that Im learning that you are doing good things and your trying to do your best sometimes alot of things wouldn't happen to you unless you do the best you can do or even if the Satan try the best he can to make you do something that you know you shouldn't be happening
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