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The New Grammar of Motion Pictures.
Motion Pictures. Motion pictures, unlike our previous print
media, required the audience to develop new skills of media use
in order to use the product. Previous media all had a well-
trained public to use and understand their products: print had
people trained to read in school, recorded music had people
used to local performances in music. Motion pictures had no
precursors in how to interpret or use pictures that moved and
told a story. Today we are going to look at this unique mass
medium in how it developed its audience, how it standardized
its product, and how it became a global product.
I. Motion Pictures are a mass medium that had to develop its
audience to understand it's product.
A. Visual literacy had to be taught to audiences. Films
then moved steadily from very simple construction to much
more complex as audiences became experienced and literate.
1. Visual movement was so new that early
audiences were thrilled by the simplest films.
a. Earliest films were short and simple,
usually only a single scene, such as this.
Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (1896) - LOUIS LUMIERE -
L'Arrivee d'un Train a La Ciotat

0:42
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b. The final scene of The Great Train
Robbery scared people who were unused to motion pictures.
They treated it as a real threat by a gunman.
The Great Train Robbery (1903) Full COMPLETE Original Film
RESTORED
12:10
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuto7qWrplc"
c. The big-budget film "Intolerance" failed
because it's plot with 4 parallel stories was too difficult for
audiences to understand then. Intolerance

d. Any modern film, such as Star Wars or
Interstellar, would fail if shown in the 1910's because the
audience was not highly film literate. Popular films were like
these below.
Edison Kinetoscope Films 1894-1896
4:24
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmZ4VPmhAkw"
2. Motion pictures have since developed a whole
grammar that is used to make meaning in pictures.
a. Camera shots give information going from
long shot, to medium shot to close up tell us what to focus
upon. This is later expanded upon with extreme close ups,
interviews with shot-counter shot, two shots.
b. Camera angles also provide information
in how to interpret a person or situation. High angle shots put
the subject in an inferior position, low angle shots enhance

them.
c. The movement of the camera itself
communicates information. It can move quickly, zoom in or out,
spin all to tell us more about what the scene means.
How David Fincher Hijacks Your Eyes
5:31
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfqD5WqChUY"
d. The use of lighting tells us if something
is safer, with brighter lighting overall, or more dangerous, with
lower lighting.
e. Editing of the film helps tell the story. Faster paced editing
implies excitement, slower pacing implies thoughtfulness, or
dullness.
f. There are often new techniques arising for us to learn. For
example the complex editing of multiple stories in one day of
Pulp Fiction, or the backwards story telling of Momento.

3. The broader your audience focus, the more basic the visual
grammar needs to be. US only films can be more complex than
globally oriented films where audiences may not know the full
set of conventions.
B. The Film Production system evolved to recognize the
high emotional impact of it's products. They had to recognize
they were selling not things, but dreams.
1. The first films were sold "by the foot" to
customers who used them in Kinetescopes: for 5 cents one
person watched a short film.
2. Soon producers found that Distributing films as
rentals was the key to profits.
a. Films were not sold, only rented to
theaters. Disney films could be re-released for theater display
every 7 years to increase their revenue with new child
audiences.
b. A standard film cycle was developed
where a film went first to first-run theatres, then smaller
second-run venues such as 99 cent theaters, then college
campuses, television and finally home video.
3. With audiences quickly learning film grammar
they wanted stories, not just simple scenes. Films with better
stories made more money by 1915, highlighting the role of
screen writer and director.
4. The Emotional connection that audiences had
with the story, and the actors, grew as a key to film popularity.
This then highlighted the role of the actors as well.
a. Early actors were not acknowledged as
important. Once audiences started to show a preference for
some actors the Star system was created to promote their
favorites

b. The impact of films through this
emotional connection were thought to decrease rational thought.
Censorship issues arose as some were concerned about
audiences following characters in films who acted as bad role
models.
i. The early scandal of Fatty Arbuckle
demonstrated a great fear that audiences would copy their
favorite actors.
ii. The Hayes office was developed in
1932 to control the moral element of films. This stayed in place
until the late 1960's.
Uncensored Film Example
Hollywood Uncensored
0:46
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-loLqR2014"
ii. This was the idea behind film rating systems we use today.
G, PG, PG-13, M, R, X.
C. Films production had to be made for the popular
audiences. This was the only mass medium that skipped the

Elite stage. It focused almost immediately on broad, large
audiences and so was made with simple appeals.
1. Urban immigrant audiences wanted broad
comedy and drama. Theaters were basic, there was no sound.
2. The lack of English competency was not a disadvantage
when watching silent films. The basic stories were easily
understood.
3. This use of simple plots, stereotyped characters and broad
acting made a story easy to interpret. This trend is seen in films
today aimed at broader, less educated audiences. Definitely not
aimed at Elite audiences.
4. The continued popularity of films led to the
development of standard formulas for making films.
a. From 1900-1930 the 3 themes of Crime, Sex and Love
accounted for ¾ of all movies. Note the themes of the top films
of the 1920's.
i. Westerns were produced for the male audiences who liked the
action and "tough guy" stereotypes.
ii. Children liked comedies and cartoons.
iii. Women liked drama and comedies.
iv. Family pictures had attractions for all elements
b. Films were made at different budget levels
to attract the audience in diverse ways. Production of multiple
products was important as the average family went to films
twice per week until the 1950's.
i. A films were big budget films aimed at a big adult audience:
Birth of a Nation, Gone With the Wind.
ii. B films were lower budget and made more quickly. The
studio resources often created a good product nonetheless: The
Maltese Falcon, Casablanca.

iii. C films were low budget and quickly made, usually for
younger audiences who saw new films weekly: Hopalong
Cassidy, Buck Rogers, The Perils of Pauline.
simple
Motion Pictures.
Standardizing Production of Motion Pictures.
Motion Pictures developed a studio production system that
allowed for steady production of films to the audience. This
standardization is a necessary step for mass media to meet
entertainment needs of a large audience.
A. Film plots and themes were developed to rely on
easily-understood events and strong, often stereotyped
characters, with clear positive endings.
1. Tumbleweeds was a silent film based on the
well-known Oklahoma land rush with a strong cowboy character
who won in the end.
TUMBLEWEEDS (1925) -- William S. Hart, Barbara Bedford
1:25:49
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy5lbpzsOxs"

2. The 1920's saw films based on the fascination of
gansters, 1930's on the Depression, 1940's on the war and
continuing through today.
B. High production costs of film making increased the
search for predictability in making films that would be
profitable.
1. Western Films have been popular with audiences since the
silent era, featuring a lone male character, a challenge, and
eventual victory.
2. Serial Films were very low-budget short films made into the
1950's, with the same characters and similar plots making easy,
but simple, entertainment.
Our Gang Comedies
C. Formulaic films were limited by the incursion of Art in the
industry. Original, creative productions pushed audience
expectations such that most productions could not stay stagnant
in their productions.
1. While films such as Keystone Cops were popular and easily
made, other directors pushed for dramatic, meaningful films.
Note Roger Ebert's review of Greed, a very early silent film
drama that pushed the limits of film making then.
Safety Last - Harold Lloyd 1923. Full movie,excellent quality.
1:13:34

href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-XZWZVVhvQ"
2. Successful directors were given free reign to create longer
films, clever plots and more. The more they remained
profitable, the more the directors gained complete control over
how they made a film.
[ THE GOLD RUSH ] Thanksgiving dinner
3:04
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpjIGWDiNrM"
3. The 80/20 rule in film applies here. Out of the 300+ films
made in Hollywood every year, 20% can be considered “good”
by artistic standards.
a. The Golden Age of film, from the late 1920's to the early
1960's, had a production system with major resources in actors,
writers, directors and producers which could make films of
long-lasting value.

1. Wings was an examination of the human costs of WWI.
2. The Grapes of Wrath transferred the novel indicting the
problems of a capitalist system onto film.
3. The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind took popular
books and made meaningful, popular films.
b. Good films are not necessarily the most popular, or
profitable, films, but those that push for artistry or theme
development.
1. This was easier as the mature industry had seamless editing,
great set design and budgets to cover greater themes.
2. Note how easy it is to get involved in a short clip from Gone
With the Wind, demonstrating the quality of its construction.
Gone with the Wind - You Need Kissing Badly
1:13
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nACj50uq6_s"
3. A 1950's B level film demonstrated these resources by

covering an issue of racism against Japanese in an interesting
way.
Bad Day At Black Rock scene
4:43
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2o3QWwwQLI"
D. Specialization had to occur as television forced major
changes in the system.
1. Adult audiences stayed home to watch tv as an easier
and cheaper alternative to film. Film admissions plummeted
with the general introduction of television.
2. The first stages of industry adaptation to new challenges is
to try to maintain the past. Their first moves were to use
technology to maintain popularity of the old system.
a. Smell o vision let you smell the movie.
b. 3-D vision makes it seem like you're in the picture.

c. Earthquake vision lets you feel the action.
d. Super widescreen Cinerama used 3 screens to show you the
biggest picture ever.
This is Cinerama (DVD/Blu-ray trailer)
3:54
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWgG5ioX_sA"
3. Adaptation to the audience meant making films for the youth
audience. Like with radio and recorded music, the youth
audience is the major user of films after television.
a. This approach assumed that action and romance
would attract youth audiences. Quality in plot and acting was a
distant consideration for many of these films.
b. Low budgets and action-focus made forgettable films that
still made good profits from the youth audience.

Dirty Mary Crazy Larry (1974) Original Theatrical Trailer I
2:36
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0xE-68P4ao"
c. This approach has continued through to today.
i. less drama, more action.
ii. lots of comedy
Motion Pictures.
Motion Pictures on a Global Basis.
The film industry today is a concentrated, world-based business
that uses the most common languages of the art.
A. The Major profit is gained from film users 12 to 18,
followed by 18 to 30. This youth audience is what is driving
film production today.
1.Fast-paced action films have the biggest
audiences, and the biggest emphasis.
2. Films for broad audiences have less emphasis on plot

complications or subtle acting. Note the clarity and simplicity
of this sort of high-budget action scene.
Battleship #1 Movie Clip - Attack! - Liam Neeson Movie (2012)
1:28
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8dK0b24UFA"
3. Formulaic films are easier to make for this market, with many
following screenwriting rules. Note the chart here that indicates
the most profitable Tom Cruise movies are the least complex.
4. Advertising is up to 50% of film costs. Good marketing gets
audiences into theaters even if reviewers don't like the film.
i. Tomorrow Never Dies had a $34 million dollar advertising
campaign to interest audiences.
ii. Disney re-released Toy Story 3D with a $30 million
advertising campaign.
5. A few major studies control most films by

production or distribution, little new entrants. Once a producer
becomes large and profitable, it is very difficult for new
companies to compete with it, thus the big 6 we have today.
B. Video sales mean that profits come within the first six
months of any new film. Timeless appeal is not a trait producers
focus on.
1. Video sales means a focus only on the first six
months of a film's life. This means big advertising and
marketing for fast popularity.
a. average cost to produce and market a film
in 2012 was $139 million.
b. Big first weekend sales numbers are
important to provide support for later video sales and tv
revenue.
c. Multiple tie ins with music, t-shirts,
books and other merchandise add to marketing and profits.
C. The future of film is uncertain.
1. Internet-based delivery reduces the current profit strategy of
theater sales.
i. Audience choice expands and lets them ignore the more
formulaic films studios like to produce.
ii. Films made for streaming delivery, like Netflix's "Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2" means watching first weekend without
going to the theater.
2. Stunting may not be able to stem the move away from
traditional film theaters.
i. Projection using 270 degrees and better sound is being tried.
It is reminiscent of the desperate acts of 1950's movie theaters
and producers.
ii. The popularity of laptops, tablets and smartphones for

viewing suggest this is a likely future venue for watching films.
CONCLUSION: The film industry is a huge mass media that can
reach literally billions of people throughout the world. It has a
history of almost 100 years and shows no signs of fading in
popularity: moving through video rental and pay-per-view to
streaming. Films are exactly what most people want for
involving entertainment and they are getting more action and
adventure as the concentrated industry standardizes for
predictable profits. It is up to you to seek greater diversity, if
that is what you want.
· The "Long Tail" concept of marketing states that media have
easy access to every audience group, and that this makes it
possible to make profits with unique, small-focus products.
Netflix, for example, can make Adam Sandler films such as The
Cobbler that go directly to streaming but make a profit for
them. This should encourage more small-scale, small-story film
making. State here if you expect this idea to reduce the focus
by movie producers on big action films within the next 10
years. Explain why, or why not, you think this will continue.
IAH 221B
Summer 2016
Edmund Spenser Reading
CANTO I
The Patron of true Holinesse
foule Errour doth defeate;
Hypocrisie him to entrappe
doth to his home entreate.
I

A GENTLE Knight° was pricking on the plaine,
Ycladd in mightie armes and silver shielde,
Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine,
The cruel markes of many'a bloudy fielde;
5
Yet armes till that time did he never wield:
His angry steede did chide his foming bitt,
As much disdayning to the curbe to yield:
Full jolly knight he seemd, and faire did sitt,
As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt.
II
10
And on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore,
The deare remembrance of his dying Lord,
For whose sweete sake that glorious badge he wore,
And dead as living ever him ador'd:
Upon his shield the like was also scor'd,
15
For soveraine hope,° which in his helpe he had:
Right faithfull true he was in deede and word,
But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad;
Yet nothing did he dread, but ever was ydrad.
III
Upon a great adventure he was bond,
20
That greatest Gloriana° to him gave,
That greatest Glorious Queene of Faerie lond,
To winne him worship, and her grace to have,
Which of all earthly things he most did crave;
And ever as he rode, his hart did earne
25
To prove his puissance in battell brave
Upon his foe, and his new force to learne;
Upon his foe, a Dragon° horrible and stearne.

IV
A lovely Ladie° rode him faire beside,
Upon a lowly Asse more white then snow,
30
Yet she much whiter, but the same did hide
Under a vele, that wimpled was full low,
And over all a blacke stole she did throw,
As one that inly mournd: so was she sad,
And heavie sat upon her palfrey slow;
35
Seemed in heart some hidden care she had,
And by her in a line a milke white lambe she lad.
V
So pure and innocent, as that same lambe,
She was in life and every vertuous lore,
And by descent from Royall lynage came
40
Of ancient Kings and Queenes, that had of yore
Their scepters stretcht from East to Westerne shore,
And all the world in their subjection held;
Till that infernall feend with foule uprore
Forwasted all their land, and them expeld:
45
Whom to avenge, she had this Knight from far compeld.
VI
Behind her farre away a Dwarfe° did lag,
That lasie seemd in being ever last,
Or wearied with bearing of her bag
Of needments at his backe. Thus as they past,
50
The day with cloudes was suddeine overcast,
And angry Jove an hideous storme of raine
Did poure into his Lemans lap so fast,

That everie wight to shrowd it did constrain,
And this faire couple eke to shroud themselves were fain.
VII
55
Enforst to seeke some covert nigh at hand,
A shadie grove° not far away they spide,
That promist ayde the tempest to withstand:
Whose loftie trees yclad with sommers pride
Did spred so broad, that heavens light did hide,
60
Not perceable with power of any starre:
And all within were pathes and alleies wide,
With footing worne, and leading inward farre:
Faire harbour that them seemes; so in they entred arre.
VIII
And foorth they passe, with pleasure forward led,
65
Joying to heare the birdes sweete harmony,
Which therein shrouded from the tempest dred,
Seemd in their song to scorne the cruell sky.
Much can they prayse the trees so straight and hy,
The sayling Pine,° the Cedar proud and tall,
70
The vine-prop Elme, the Poplar never dry,°
The builder Oake,° sole king of forrests all,
The Aspine good for staves, the Cypresse funerall.°
IX
The Laurell,° meed of mightie Conquerours
And Poets sage, the firre that weepeth still,°
75
The Willow° worne of forlorne Paramours,
The Eugh° obedient to the benders will,
The Birch for shaftes, the Sallow for the mill,

The Mirrhe° sweete bleeding in the bitter wound,
The warlike Beech,° the Ash for nothing ill,°
80
The fruitfull Olive, and the Platane round,
The carver Holme,° the Maple seeldom inward sound.
X
Led with delight, they thus beguile the way,
Untill the blustring storme is overblowne;
When weening to returne, whence they did stray,
85
They cannot finde that path, which first was showne,
But wander too and fro in wayes unknowne,
Furthest from end then, when they neerest weene,
That makes them doubt their wits be not their owne:
So many pathes, so many turnings seene,
90
That which of them to take, in diverse doubt they been.
XI
At last resolving forward still to fare,
Till that some end they finde or in or out,
That path they take, that beaten seemd most bare,
And like to lead the labyrinth about;
95
Which when by tract they hunted had throughout,
At length it brought them to a hollow cave
Amid the thickest woods. The Champion stout
Eftsoones dismounted from his courser brave,
And to the Dwarfe awhile his needlesse spere he gave.
XII
100
Be well aware, quoth then that Ladie milde,
Least suddaine mischiefe ye too rash provoke:
The danger hid, the place unknowne and wilde,

Breedes dreadfull doubts: Oft fire is without smoke,
And perill without show: therefore your stroke,
105
Sir Knight, with-hold, till further triall made.
Ah Ladie, (said he) shame were to revoke°
The forward footing for an hidden shade:
Vertue gives her selfe light, through darkenesse for to wade.
XIII
Yea but (quoth she) the perill of this place
110
I better wot then you, though now too late
To wish you backe returne with foule disgrace,
Yet wisedome warnes, whilest foot is in the gate,
To stay the steppe, ere forced to retrate.
This is the wandring wood,° this Errours den,
115
A monster vile, whom God and man does hate:
Therefore I read beware. Fly fly (quoth then
The fearefull Dwarfe) this is no place for living men.
XIV
But full of fire and greedy hardiment,
The youthfull knight could not for ought be staide,
120
But forth unto the darksome hole he went,
And looked in: his glistring armor made
A litle glooming light, much like a shade,
By which he saw the ugly monster° plaine,
Halfe like a serpent horribly displaide,
125
But th'other halfe did womans shape retaine,
Most lothsom, filthie, foule, and full of vile disdaine.°
XV
And as she lay upon the durtie ground,

Her huge long taile her den all overspred,
Yet was in knots and many boughtes upwound,
130
Pointed with mortall sting. Of her there bred°
A thousand yong ones, which she dayly fed,
Sucking upon her poisnous dugs, eachone
Of sundry shapes, yet all ill favored:
Soone as that uncouth light upon them shone,
135
Into her mouth they crept, and suddain all were gone.
XVI
Their dam upstart, out of her den effraide,
And rushed forth, hurling her hideous taile
About her cursed head, whose folds displaid
Were stretcht now forth at length without entraile.
140
She lookt about, and seeing one in mayle
Armed to point,° sought backe to turne againe;
For light she hated as the deadly bale,
Ay wont in desert darknesse to remaine,
Where plain none might her see, nor she see any plaine.
XVII
145
Which when the valiant Elfe° perceiv'd, he lept
As Lyon fierce upon the flying pray,
And with his trenchand blade her boldly kept
From turning backe, and forced her to stay:
Therewith enrag'd she loudly gan to bray,
150
And turning fierce, her speckled taile advaunst,
Threatning her angry sting, him to dismay:
Who nought aghast his mightie hand enhaunst:
The stroke down from her head unto her shoulder glaunst.
XVIII

Much daunted with that dint, her sence was dazd,
155
Yet kindling rage, her selfe she gathered round,
And all attonce her beastly body raizd
With doubled forces high above the ground:
Tho wrapping up her wrethed sterne arownd,
Lept fierce upon his shield, and her huge traine
160
All suddenly about his body wound,
That hand or foot to stirre he strove in vaine:
God helpe the man so wrapt in Errours endlesse traine.
XIX
His Lady sad to see his sore constraint,
Cride out, Now now Sir knight, shew what ye bee,
165
Add faith unto your force, and be not faint:
Strangle her, else she sure will strangle thee.
That when he heard, in great perplexitie,
His gall did grate for griefe° and high disdaine,
And knitting all his force got one hand free,
170
Wherewith he grypt her gorge with so great paine,
That soone to loose her wicked bands did her constraine.
XX
Therewith she spewd out of her filthy maw
A floud of poyson horrible and blacke,
Full of great lumpes of flesh and gobbets raw,
175
Which stunck so vildly, that it forst him slacke
His grasping hold, and from her turne him backe:
Her vomit full of bookes° and papers was,
With loathly frogs and toades, which eyes did lacke,
And creeping sought way in the weedy gras:

180
Her filthy parbreake all the place defiled has.
XXI
As when old father Nilus° gins to swell
With timely pride above the Aegyptian vale,
His fattie waves do fertile slime outwell,
And overflow each plaine and lowly dale:
185
But when his later spring gins to avale,
Huge heapes of mudd he leaves, wherein there breed
Ten thousand kindes of creatures, partly male
And partly female of his fruitful seed;
Such ugly monstrous shapes elswhere may no man reed.
XXII
190
The same so sore annoyed has the knight,
That welnigh choked with the deadly stinke,
His forces faile, ne can no lenger fight.
Whose corage when the feend perceiv'd to shrinke,
She poured forth out of her hellish sinke
195
Her fruitfull cursed spawne of serpents small,
Deformed monsters, fowle, and blacke as inke,
With swarming all about his legs did crall,
And him encombred sore, but could not hurt at all.
XXIII
As gentle Shepheard° in sweete even-tide,
200
When ruddy Phoebus gins to welke in west,
High on an hill, his flocke to vewen wide,
Markes which do byte their hasty supper best,
A cloud of combrous gnattes do him molest,
All striving to infixe their feeble stings,

205
That from their noyance he no where can rest,
But with his clownish hands their tender wings
He brusheth oft, and oft doth mar their murmurings.
XXIV
Thus ill bestedd,° and fearefull more of shame,
Then of the certeine perill he stood in,
210
Halfe furious unto his foe he came,
Resolv'd in minde all suddenly to win,
Or soone to lose, before he once would lin
And strooke at her with more then manly force,
That from her body full of filthie sin
215
He raft her hatefull head without remorse;
A streame of cole black bloud forth gushed from her corse.
XXV
Her scattred brood,° soone as their Parent deare
They saw so rudely falling to the ground,
Groning full deadly, all with troublous feare,
220
Gathred themselves about her body round,
Weening their wonted entrance to have found
At her wide mouth: but being there withstood
They flocked all about her bleeding wound,
And sucked up their dying mothers blood,
225
Making her death their life, and eke her hurt their good.
XXVI
That detestable sight him much amazde,
To see th' unkindly Impes, of heaven accurst,
Devoure their dam; on whom while so he gazd,
Having all satisfide their bloudy thurst,

230
Their bellies swolne he saw with fulnesse burst,
And bowels gushing forth: well worthy end
Of such as drunke her life, the which them nurst;°
Now needeth him no lenger labour spend,
His foes have slaine themselves, with whom he should contend.°
XXVII
235
His Ladie seeing all that chaunst, from farre
Approcht in hast to greet his victorie,
And said, Faire knight, borne under happy starre,°
Who see your vanquisht foes before you lye:
Well worthie be you of that Armorie,°
240
Wherin ye have great glory wonne this day,
And proov'd your strength on a strong enimie,
Your first adventure: many such I pray,
And henceforth ever wish that like succeed it may.°
XXVIII
Then mounted he upon his Steede againe,
245
And with the Lady backward sought to wend;
That path he kept which beaten was most plaine,
Ne ever would to any by-way bend,
But still did follow one unto the end,
The which at last out of the wood them brought.
250
So forward on his way (with God to frend)°
He passed forth, and new adventure sought;
Long way he travelled, before he heard of ought.
XXIX
At length they chaunst to meet upon the way
An aged Sire,° in long blacke weedes yclad,

255
His feete all bare, his beard all hoarie gray
And by his belt his booke he hanging had;
Sober he seemde, and very sagely sad,
And to the ground his eyes were lowly bent,
Simple in shew, and voyde of malice bad,
260
And all the way he prayed, as he went,
And often knockt his brest, as one that did repent.
XXX
He faire the knight saluted, louting low,
Who faire him quited, as that courteous was:
And after asked him, if he did know
265
Of straunge adventures, which abroad did pas.
Ah my deare Sonne (quoth he) how should, alas,
Silly old man, that lives in hidden cell,
Bidding his beades all day for his trespas,
Tydings of warre and worldly trouble tell?
270
With holy father sits not with such things to mell.
XXXI
But if of daunger which hereby doth dwell,
And homebred evil ye desire to heare,
Of a straunge man I can you tidings tell,
That wasteth all this countrey farre and neare.
275
Of such (said he) I chiefly do inquere,
And shall you well reward to shew the place,
In which that wicked wight his dayes doth weare:
For to all knighthood it is foule disgrace,
That such a cursed creature lives so long a space.
XXXII

280
Far hence (quoth he) in wastfull wildernesse
His dwelling is, by which no living wight
May ever passe, but thorough great distresse.
Now (sayd the Lady) draweth toward night,
And well I wote, that of your later fight
285
Ye all forwearied be: for what so strong,
But wanting rest will also want of might?
The Sunne that measures heaven all day long,
At night doth baite his steedes the Ocean waves emong.
XXXIII
Then with the Sunne take Sir, your timely rest,
290
And with new day new worke at once begin:
Untroubled night they say gives counsell best.
Right well Sir knight ye have advised bin,
(Quoth then that aged man;) the way to win
Is wisely to advise: now day is spent;
295
Therefore with me ye may take up your In°
For this same night. The knight was well content:
So with that godly father to his home they went.
XXXIV
A little lowly Hermitage it was,
Downe in a dale, hard by a forests side,
300
Far from resort of people, that did pas
In travell to and froe: a little wyde°
There was an holy Chappell edifyde,
Wherein the Hermite dewly wont to say
His holy things each morne and eventyde:
305
Thereby a Christall streame did gently play,

Which from a sacred fountaine welled forth alway.
XXXV
Arrived there, the little house they fill,
Ne looke for entertainement, where none was:
Rest is their feast, and all things at their will:
310
The noblest mind the best contentment has.
With faire discourse the evening so they pas:
For that old man of pleasing wordes had store,
And well could file his tongue as smooth as glas,
He told of Saintes and Popes, and evermore
315
He strowd an Ave-Mary° after and before.
XXXVI
The drouping Night thus creepeth on them fast,
And the sad humour° loading their eye liddes,
As messenger of Morpheus° on them cast
Sweet slombring deaw, the which to sleepe them biddes.
320
Unto their lodgings then his guestes he riddes:
Where when all drownd in deadly sleepe he findes,
He to this study goes, and there amiddes
His Magick bookes and artes° of sundry kindes,
He seekes out mighty charmes, to trouble sleepy mindes.
XXXVII
325
Then choosing out few words most horrible,
(Let none them read) thereof did verses frame,
With which and other spelles like terrible,
He bad awake blacke Plutoes griesly Dame,°
And cursed heaven and spake reprochfull shame
330
Of highest God, the Lord of life and light;

A bold bad man, that dar'd to call by name
Great Gorgon,° Prince of darknesse and dead night,
At which Cocytus° quakes, and Styx is put to flight.
XXXVIII
And forth he cald out of deepe darknesse dred
335
Legions of Sprights,° the which like little flyes
Fluttring about his ever damned hed,
Awaite whereto their service he applyes,
To aide his friends, or fray his enimies:
Of those he chose° out two, the falsest twoo,
340
And fittest for to forge true-seeming lyes;
The one of them he gave a message too,
The other by him selfe staide other worke to doo.
XXXIX
He making speedy way through spersed ayre,
And through the world of waters wide and deepe,
345
To Morpheus house doth hastily repaire.
Amid the bowels of the earth full steepe,
And low, where dawning day doth never peepe,
His dwelling is; there Tethys° his wet bed
Doth ever wash, and Cynthia° still doth steepe
350
In silver deaw his ever-drouping hed,
Whiles sad Night over him her mantle black doth spred.
XL
Whose double gates° he findeth locked fast,
The one faire fram'd of burnisht Yvory,
The other all with silver overcast;
355
And wakeful dogges before them farre do lye,

Watching to banish Care their enimy,
Who oft is wont to trouble gentle Sleepe.
By them the Sprite doth passe in quietly,
And unto Morpheus comes, whom drowned deepe
360
In drowsie fit he findes: of nothing he takes keepe.
XLI
And more, to lulle him in his slumber soft,°
A trickling streame from high rock tumbling downe,
And ever-drizling raine upon the loft,
Mixt with a murmuring winde, much like the sowne
365
Of swarming Bees, did cast him in a swowne:
No other noyse, nor peoples troublous cryes,
As still are wont t'annoy the walled towne,
Might there be heard: but carelesse Quiet lyes,
Wrapt in eternall silence farre from enemyes.
XLII
370
The messenger approching to him spake,
But his wast wordes returnd to him in vaine:
So sound he slept, that nought mought him awake.
Then rudely he him thrust, and pusht with paine
Whereat he gan to stretch: but he againe
375
Shooke him so hard, that forced him to speake.
As one then in a dreame, whose dryer braine°
Is tost with troubled sights and fancies weake,
He mumbled soft, but would not all° his silence breake.
XLIII
The Sprite then gan more boldly him to wake,
380
And threatned unto him the dreaded name

Of Hecate°: whereat he gan to quake,
And lifting up his lumpish head, with blame
Halfe angry asked him, for what he came.
Hither (quoth he) me Archimago sent,
385
He that the stubborne Sprites can wisely tame,
He bids thee to him send for his intent
A fit false dreame, that can delude the sleepers sent.°
XLIV
The God obayde, and, calling forth straightway
A diverse dreame out of his prison darke,
390
Delivered it to him, and downe did lay
His heavie head, devoide of carefull carke,
Whose sences all were straight benumbed and starke.
He backe returning by the Yvorie dore,
Remounted up as light as chearefull Larke,
395
And on his litle winges the dreame he bore
In hast unto his Lord, where he him left afore.
XLV
Who all this while with charmes and hidden artes,
Had made a Lady of that other Spright,
And fram'd of liquid ayre her tender partes
400
So lively, and so like in all mens sight,
That weaker sence it could have ravisht quight:
The maker selfe, for all his wondrous witt,
Was nigh beguiled with so goodly sight:
Her all in white he clad, and over it
405
Cast a black stole, most like to seeme° for Una fit.
XLVI

Now when that ydle dreame was to him brought,
Unto that Elfin knight he bad him fly,
Where he slept soundly void of evill thought,
And with false shewes abuse his fantasy,
410
In sort as he him schooled privily:
And that new creature, borne without her dew,°
Full of the makers guile, with usage sly
He taught to imitate that Lady trew,
Whose semblance she did carrie under feigned hew.
XLVII
415
Thus well instructed, to their worke they hast,
And coming where the knight in slomber lay,
The one upon his hardy head him plast
And made him dreame of loves and lustfull play,
That nigh his manly hart did melt away,
420
Bathed in wanton blis and wicked joy:
Then seemed him his Lady by him lay,
And to him playnd, how that false winged boy,
Her chast hart had subdewd, to learne Dame Pleasures toy.
XLVIII
And she herselfe of beautie soveraigne Queene,
425
Fayre Venus° seemde unto his bed to bring
Her, whom he waking evermore did weene,
To bee the chastest flowre, that ay did spring
On earthly braunch, the daughter of a king,
Now a loose Leman to vile service bound:
430
And eke the Graces° seemed all to sing,
Hymen Iö Hymen° dauncing all around,
Whilst freshest Flora° her with Yvie girlond crownd.

XLIX
In this great passion of unwonted lust,
Or wonted feare of doing ought amis,
435
He started up, as seeming to mistrust
Some secret ill, or hidden foe of his:
Lo there before his face his Lady is,
Under blake stole hyding her bayted hooke;
And as halfe blushing offred him to kis,
440
With gentle blandishment and lovely looke,
Most like that virgin true, which for her knight him took.
L
All cleane dismayd to see so uncouth sight,
And half enraged at her shamelesse guise,
He thought have slaine her in his fierce despight:
445
But hasty heat tempring with suffrance wise,
He stayde his hand, and gan himselfe advise
To prove his sense,° and tempt her faigned truth.
Wringing her hands in womans pitteous wise,
Tho can she weepe,° to stirre up gentle ruth,
450
Both for her noble bloud, and for her tender youth.
LI
And said, Ah Sir, my liege Lord and my love,
Shall I accuse the hidden cruell fate,
And mightie causes wrought in heaven above,
Or the blind God,° that doth me thus amate,
455
For hoped love to winne me certaine hate?
Yet thus perforce he bids me do, or die.
Die is my dew; yet rew my wretched state

You, whom my hard avenging destinie
Hath made judge of my life or death indifferently.
LII
460
Your owne deare sake forst me at first to leave
My Fathers kingdome—There she stopt with teares;
Her swollen hart her speech seemd to bereave,
And then againe begun; My weaker yeares
Captiv'd to fortune and frayle worldly feares,
465
Fly to your fayth for succour and sure ayde:
Let me not dye in languor and long teares.
Why Dame (quoth he) what hath ye thus dismayd?
What frayes ye, that were wont to comfort me affrayd?
LIII
Love of your selfe, she saide, and deare constraint,
470
Lets me not sleepe, but wast the wearie night
In secret anguish and unpittied plaint,
Whiles you in carelesse sleepe are drowned quight.
Her doubtfull words made that redoubted knight
Suspect her truth: yet since no' untruth he knew,
475
Her fawning love with foule disdainefull spight
He would not shend; but said, Deare dame I rew,
That for my sake unknowne such griefe unto you grew.
LIV
Assure your selfe, it fell not all to ground;°
For all so deare as life is to my hart,
480
I deeme your love, and hold me to you bound:
Ne let vaine feares procure your needlesse smart,
Where cause is none, but to your rest depart.

Not all content, yet seemd she to appease
Her mournefull plaintes, beguiled of her art,
485
And fed with words that could not chuse but please,
So slyding softly forth, she turned as to her ease.
LV
Long after lay he musing at her mood,
Much griev'd to thinke that gentle Dame so light,
For whose defence he was to shed his blood.
490
At last, dull wearinesse of former fight
Having yrockt asleepe his irkesome spright,
That troublous dreame gan freshly tosse his braine,
With bowres, and beds, and Ladies deare delight:
But when he saw his labour all was vaine,
495
With that misformed spright he backe returnd againe.
IAH 221B
Summer 2016
John Milton Reading
PARADISE LOST
by John Milton
PARADISE LOST
BOOK I.
Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit
Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast
Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,
With loss of EDEN, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top
Of OREB, or of SINAI, didst inspire
That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,

In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth
Rose out of CHAOS: Or if SION Hill
Delight thee more, and SILOA'S Brook that flow'd
Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence
Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song,
That with no middle flight intends to soar
Above th' AONIAN Mount, while it pursues
Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime.
And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer
Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure,
Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first
Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread
Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss
And mad'st it pregnant: What in me is dark
Illumine, what is low raise and support;
That to the highth of this great Argument
I may assert th' Eternal Providence,
And justifie the wayes of God to men.
Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view
Nor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what cause
Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State,
Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off
From their Creator, and transgress his Will
For one restraint, Lords of the World besides?
Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt?
Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile
Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'd
The Mother of Mankinde, what time his Pride
Had cast him out from Heav'n, with all his Host
Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring
To set himself in Glory above his Peers,
He trusted to have equal'd the most High,
If he oppos'd; and with ambitious aim
Against the Throne and Monarchy of God
Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud
With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power

Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie
With hideous ruine and combustion down
To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,
Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms.
Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night
To mortal men, he with his horrid crew
Lay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery Gulfe
Confounded though immortal: But his doom
Reserv'd him to more wrath; for now the thought
Both of lost happiness and lasting pain
Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes
That witness'd huge affliction and dismay
Mixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:
At once as far as Angels kenn he views
The dismal Situation waste and wilde,
A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round
As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames
No light, but rather darkness visible
Serv'd only to discover sights of woe,
Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
That comes to all; but torture without end
Still urges, and a fiery Deluge, fed
With ever-burning Sulphur unconsum'd:
Such place Eternal Justice had prepar'd
For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain'd
In utter darkness, and their portion set
As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n
As from the Center thrice to th' utmost Pole.
O how unlike the place from whence they fell!
There the companions of his fall, o'rewhelm'd
With Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,
He soon discerns, and weltring by his side
One next himself in power, and next in crime,
Long after known in PALESTINE, and nam'd

BEELZEBUB. To whom th' Arch-Enemy,
And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words
Breaking the horrid silence thus began.
If thou beest he; But O how fall'n! how chang'd
From him, who in the happy Realms of Light
Cloth'd with transcendent brightnes didst outshine
Myriads though bright: If he whom mutual league,
United thoughts and counsels, equal hope,
And hazard in the Glorious Enterprize,
Joynd with me once, now misery hath joynd
In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seest
From what highth fal'n, so much the stronger provd
He with his Thunder: and till then who knew
The force of those dire Arms? yet not for those
Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage
Can else inflict do I repent or change,
Though chang'd in outward lustre; that fixt mind
And high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit,
That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend,
And to the fierce contention brought along
Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd
That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,
His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd
In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n,
And shook his throne. What though the field be lost?
All is not lost; the unconquerable Will,
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never to submit or yield:
And what is else not to be overcome?
That Glory never shall his wrath or might
Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace
With suppliant knee, and deifie his power
Who from the terrour of this Arm so late
Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,
That were an ignominy and shame beneath
This downfall; since by Fate the strength of Gods

And this Empyreal substance cannot fail,
Since through experience of this great event
In Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc't,
We may with more successful hope resolve
To wage by force or guile eternal Warr
Irreconcileable, to our grand Foe,
Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy
Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n.
So spake th' Apostate Angel, though in pain,
Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:
And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.
O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,
That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to Warr
Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds
Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King;
And put to proof his high Supremacy,
Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate,
Too well I see and rue the dire event,
That with sad overthrow and foul defeat
Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty Host
In horrible destruction laid thus low,
As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences
Can Perish: for the mind and spirit remains
Invincible, and vigour soon returns,
Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state
Here swallow'd up in endless misery.
But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now
Of force believe Almighty, since no less
Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours)
Have left us this our spirit and strength intire
Strongly to suffer and support our pains,
That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,
Or do him mightier service as his thralls
By right of Warr, what e're his business be
Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,
Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;

What can it then avail though yet we feel
Strength undiminisht, or eternal being
To undergo eternal punishment?
Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd.
Fall'n Cherube, to be weak is miserable
Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure,
To do ought good never will be our task,
But ever to do ill our sole delight,
As being the contrary to his high will
Whom we resist. If then his Providence
Out of our evil seek to bring forth good,
Our labour must be to pervert that end,
And out of good still to find means of evil;
Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps
Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb
His inmost counsels from their destind aim.
But see the angry Victor hath recall'd
His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit
Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous Hail
Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid
The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling, and the Thunder,
Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage,
Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now
To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.
Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn,
Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.
Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde,
The seat of desolation, voyd of light,
Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend
From off the tossing of these fiery waves,
There rest, if any rest can harbour there,
And reassembling our afflicted Powers,
Consult how we may henceforth most offend
Our Enemy, our own loss how repair,

How overcome this dire Calamity,
What reinforcement we may gain from Hope,
If not what resolution from despare.
Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate
With Head up-lift above the wave, and Eyes
That sparkling blaz'd, his other Parts besides
Prone on the Flood, extended long and large
Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
As whom the Fables name of monstrous size,
TITANIAN, or EARTH-BORN, that warr'd on JOVE,
BRIARIOS or TYPHON, whom the Den
By ancient TARSUS held, or that Sea-beast
LEVIATHAN, which God of all his works
Created hugest that swim th' Ocean stream:
Him haply slumbring on the NORWAY foam
The Pilot of some small night-founder'd Skiff,
Deeming some Island, oft, as Sea-men tell,
With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind
Moors by his side under the Lee, while Night
Invests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes:
So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay
Chain'd on the burning Lake, nor ever thence
Had ris'n or heav'd his head, but that the will
And high permission of all-ruling Heaven
Left him at large to his own dark designs,
That with reiterated crimes he might
Heap on himself damnation, while he sought
Evil to others, and enrag'd might see
How all his malice serv'd but to bring forth
Infinite goodness, grace and mercy shewn
On Man by him seduc't, but on himself
Treble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour'd.
Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool
His mighty Stature; on each hand the flames
Drivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowld
In billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale.

Then with expanded wings he stears his flight
Aloft, incumbent on the dusky Air
That felt unusual weight, till on dry Land
He lights, if it were Land that ever burn'd
With solid, as the Lake with liquid fire;
And such appear'd in hue, as when the force
Of subterranean wind transports a Hill
Torn from PELORUS, or the shatter'd side
Of thundring AETNA, whose combustible
And fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire,
Sublim'd with Mineral fury, aid the Winds,
And leave a singed bottom all involv'd
With stench and smoak: Such resting found the sole
Of unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate,
Both glorying to have scap't the STYGIAN flood
As Gods, and by their own recover'd strength,
Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.
Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seat
That we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloom
For that celestial light? Be it so, since hee
Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid
What shall be right: fardest from him is best
Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream
Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields
Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail
Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
A mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.
The mind is its own place, and in it self
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less then hee
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:

Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.
But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,
Th' associates and copartners of our loss
Lye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,
And call them not to share with us their part
In this unhappy Mansion, or once more
With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
Regaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?
So SATAN spake, and him BEELZEBUB
Thus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright,
Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld,
If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledge
Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft
In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge
Of battel when it rag'd, in all assaults
Their surest signal, they will soon resume
New courage and revive, though now they lye
Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire,
As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,
No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.
He scarce had ceas't when the superiour Fiend
Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield
Ethereal temper, massy, large and round,
Behind him cast; the broad circumference
Hung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose Orb
Through Optic Glass the TUSCAN Artist views
At Ev'ning from the top of FESOLE,
Or in VALDARNO, to descry new Lands,
Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.
His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine
Hewn on NORWEGIAN hills, to be the Mast
Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand,
He walkt with to support uneasie steps
Over the burning Marle, not like those steps

On Heavens Azure, and the torrid Clime
Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;
Nathless he so endur'd, till on the Beach
Of that inflamed Sea, he stood and call'd
His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans't
Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks
In VALLOMBROSA, where th' ETRURIAN shades
High overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedge
Afloat, when with fierce Winds ORION arm'd
Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrew
BUSIRIS and his MEMPHIAN Chivalrie,
VVhile with perfidious hatred they pursu'd
The Sojourners of GOSHEN, who beheld
From the safe shore their floating Carkases
And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrown
Abject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,
Under amazement of their hideous change.
He call'd so loud, that all the hollow Deep
Of Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,
Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost,
If such astonishment as this can sieze
Eternal spirits; or have ye chos'n this place
After the toyl of Battel to repose
Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find
To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?
Or in this abject posture have ye sworn
To adore the Conquerour? who now beholds
Cherube and Seraph rowling in the Flood
With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anon
His swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discern
Th' advantage, and descending tread us down
Thus drooping, or with linked Thunderbolts
Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.
Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n.
They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung
Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch

On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,
Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.
Nor did they not perceave the evil plight
In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel;
Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd
Innumerable. As when the potent Rod
Of AMRAMS Son in EGYPTS evill day
Wav'd round the Coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud
Of LOCUSTS, warping on the Eastern Wind,
That ore the Realm of impious PHAROAH hung
Like Night, and darken'd all the Land of NILE:
So numberless were those bad Angels seen
Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell
'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires;
Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted Spear
Of their great Sultan waving to direct
Thir course, in even ballance down they light
On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain;
A multitude, like which the populous North
Pour'd never from her frozen loyns, to pass
RHENE or the DANAW, when her barbarous Sons
Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread
Beneath GIBRALTAR to the LYBIAN sands.
Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band
The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood
Their great Commander; Godlike shapes and forms
Excelling human, Princely Dignities,
And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones;
Though of their Names in heav'nly Records now
Be no memorial, blotted out and ras'd
By thir Rebellion, from the Books of Life.
Nor had they yet among the Sons of EVE
Got them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth,
Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man,
By falsities and lyes the greatest part
Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake

God their Creator, and th' invisible
Glory of him, that made them, to transform
Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn'd
With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold,
And Devils to adore for Deities:
Then were they known to men by various Names,
And various Idols through the Heathen World.
Say, Muse, their Names then known, who first, who last,
Rous'd from the slumber, on that fiery Couch,
At thir great Emperors call, as next in worth
Came singly where he stood on the bare strand,
While the promiscuous croud stood yet aloof?
The chief were those who from the Pit of Hell
Roaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix
Their Seats long after next the Seat of God,
Their Altars by his Altar, Gods ador'd
Among the Nations round, and durst abide
JEHOVAH thundring out of SION, thron'd
Between the Cherubim; yea, often plac'd
Within his Sanctuary it self their Shrines,
Abominations; and with cursed things
His holy Rites, and solemn Feasts profan'd,
And with their darkness durst affront his light.
First MOLOCH, horrid King besmear'd with blood
Of human sacrifice, and parents tears,
Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud
Their childrens cries unheard, that past through fire
To his grim Idol. Him the AMMONITE
Worshipt in RABBA and her watry Plain,
In ARGOB and in BASAN, to the stream
Of utmost ARNON. Nor content with such
Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart
Of SOLOMON he led by fraud to build
His Temple right against the Temple of God
On that opprobrious Hill, and made his Grove
The pleasant Vally of HINNOM, TOPHET thence

And black GEHENNA call'd, the Type of Hell.
Next CHEMOS, th' obscene dread of MOABS Sons,
From AROER to NEBO, and the wild
Of Southmost ABARIM; in HESEBON
And HERONAIM, SEONS Realm, beyond
The flowry Dale of SIBMA clad with Vines,
And ELEALE to th' ASPHALTICK Pool.
PEOR his other Name, when he entic'd
ISRAEL in SITTIM on their march from NILE
To do him wanton rites, which cost them woe.
Yet thence his lustful Orgies he enlarg'd
Even to that Hill of scandal, by the Grove
Of MOLOCH homicide, lust hard by hate;
Till good JOSIAH drove them thence to Hell.
With these came they, who from the bordring flood
Of old EUPHRATES to the Brook that parts
EGYPT from SYRIAN ground, had general Names
Of BAALIM and ASHTAROTH, those male,
These Feminine. For Spirits when they please
Can either Sex assume, or both; so soft
And uncompounded is their Essence pure,
Not ti'd or manacl'd with joynt or limb,
Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones,
Like cumbrous flesh; but in what shape they choose
Dilated or condens't, bright or obscure,
Can execute their aerie purposes,
And works of love or enmity fulfill.
For those the Race of ISRAEL oft forsook
Their living strength, and unfrequented left
His righteous Altar, bowing lowly down
To bestial Gods; for which their heads as low
Bow'd down in Battel, sunk before the Spear
Of despicable foes. With these in troop
Came ASTORETH, whom the PHOENICIANS call'd
ASTARTE, Queen of Heav'n, with crescent Horns;
To whose bright Image nightly by the Moon

SIDONIAN Virgins paid their Vows and Songs,
In SION also not unsung, where stood
Her Temple on th' offensive Mountain, built
By that uxorious King, whose heart though large,
Beguil'd by fair Idolatresses, fell
To Idols foul. THAMMUZ came next behind,
Whose annual wound in LEBANON allur'd
The SYRIAN Damsels to lament his fate
In amorous dittyes all a Summers day,
While smooth ADONIS from his native Rock
Ran purple to the Sea, suppos'd with blood
Of THAMMUZ yearly wounded: the Love-tale
Infected SIONS daughters with like heat,
Whose wanton passions in the sacred Porch
EZEKIEL saw, when by the Vision led
His eye survay'd the dark Idolatries
Of alienated JUDAH. Next came one
Who mourn'd in earnest, when the Captive Ark
Maim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt off
In his own Temple, on the grunsel edge,
Where he fell flat, and sham'd his Worshipers:
DAGON his Name, Sea Monster, upward Man
And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high
Rear'd in AZOTUS, dreaded through the Coast
Of PALESTINE, in GATH and ASCALON,
And ACCARON and GAZA's frontier bounds.
Him follow'd RIMMON, whose delightful Seat
Was fair DAMASCUS, on the fertil Banks
Of ABBANA and PHARPHAR, lucid streams.
He also against the house of God was bold:
A Leper once he lost and gain'd a King,
AHAZ his sottish Conquerour, whom he drew
Gods Altar to disparage and displace
For one of SYRIAN mode, whereon to burn
His odious offrings, and adore the Gods
Whom he had vanquisht. After these appear'd

A crew who under Names of old Renown,
OSIRIS, ISIS, ORUS and their Train
With monstrous shapes and sorceries abus'd
Fanatic EGYPT and her Priests, to seek
Thir wandring Gods disguis'd in brutish forms
Rather then human. Nor did ISRAEL scape
Th' infection when their borrow'd Gold compos'd
The Calf in OREB: and the Rebel King
Doubl'd that sin in BETHEL and in DAN,
Lik'ning his Maker to the Grazed Ox,
JEHOVAH, who in one Night when he pass'd
From EGYPT marching, equal'd with one stroke
Both her first born and all her bleating Gods.
BELIAL came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd
Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love
Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood
Or Altar smoak'd; yet who more oft then hee
In Temples and at Altars, when the Priest
Turns Atheist, as did ELY'S Sons, who fill'd
With lust and violence the house of God.
In Courts and Palaces he also Reigns
And in luxurious Cities, where the noyse
Of riot ascends above thir loftiest Towrs,
And injury and outrage: And when Night
Darkens the Streets, then wander forth the Sons
Of BELIAL, flown with insolence and wine.
Witness the Streets of SODOM, and that night
In GIBEAH, when hospitable Dores
Yielded thir Matrons to prevent worse rape.
These were the prime in order and in might;
The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd,
Th' IONIAN Gods, of JAVANS Issue held
Gods, yet confest later then Heav'n and Earth
Thir boasted Parents; TITAN Heav'ns first born
With his enormous brood, and birthright seis'd
By younger SATURN, he from mightier JOVE

His own and RHEA'S Son like measure found;
So JOVE usurping reign'd: these first in CREET
And IDA known, thence on the Snowy top
Of cold OLYMPUS rul'd the middle Air
Thir highest Heav'n; or on the DELPHIAN Cliff,
Or in DODONA, and through all the bounds
Of DORIC Land; or who with SATURN old
Fled over ADRIA to th' HESPERIAN Fields,
And ore the CELTIC roam'd the utmost Isles.
All these and more came flocking; but with looks
Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd
Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chief
Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost
In loss it self; which on his count'nance cast
Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride
Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore
Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd
Their fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears.
Then strait commands that at the warlike sound
Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard
His mighty Standard; that proud honour claim'd
AZAZEL as his right, a Cherube tall:
Who forthwith from the glittering Staff unfurld
Th' Imperial Ensign, which full high advanc't
Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind
With Gemms and Golden lustre rich imblaz'd,
Seraphic arms and Trophies: all the while
Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds:
At which the universal Host upsent
A shout that tore Hells Concave, and beyond
Frighted the Reign of CHAOS and old Night.
All in a moment through the gloom were seen
Ten thousand Banners rise into the Air
With Orient Colours waving: with them rose
A Forrest huge of Spears: and thronging Helms
Appear'd, and serried Shields in thick array

Of depth immeasurable: Anon they move
In perfect PHALANX to the Dorian mood
Of Flutes and soft Recorders; such as rais'd
To highth of noblest temper Hero's old
Arming to Battel, and in stead of rage
Deliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'd
With dread of death to flight or foul retreat,
Nor wanting power to mitigate and swage
With solemn touches, troubl'd thoughts, and chase
Anguish and doubt and fear and sorrow and pain
From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they
Breathing united force with fixed thought
Mov'd on in silence to soft Pipes that charm'd
Thir painful steps o're the burnt soyle; and now
Advanc't in view they stand, a horrid Front
Of dreadful length and dazling Arms, in guise
Of Warriers old with order'd Spear and Shield,
Awaiting what command thir mighty Chief
Had to impose: He through the armed Files
Darts his experienc't eye, and soon traverse
The whole Battalion views, thir order due,
Thir visages and stature as of Gods,
Thir number last he summs. And now his heart
Distends with pride, and hardning in his strength
Glories: For never since created man,
Met such imbodied force, as nam'd with these
Could merit more then that small infantry
Warr'd on by Cranes: though all the Giant brood
Of PHLEGRA with th' Heroic Race were joyn'd
That fought at THEB'S and ILIUM, on each side
Mixt with auxiliar Gods; and what resounds
In Fable or ROMANCE of UTHERS Son
Begirt with BRITISH and ARMORIC Knights;
And all who since, Baptiz'd or Infidel
Jousted in ASPRAMONT or MONTALBAN,
DAMASCO, or MAROCCO, or TREBISOND,

Or whom BISERTA sent from AFRIC shore
When CHARLEMAIN with all his Peerage fell
By FONTARABBIA. Thus far these beyond
Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd
Thir dread Commander: he above the rest
In shape and gesture proudly eminent
Stood like a Towr; his form had yet not lost
All her Original brightness, nor appear'd
Less then Arch Angel ruind, and th' excess
Of Glory obscur'd: As when the Sun new ris'n
Looks through the Horizontal misty Air
Shorn of his Beams, or from behind the Moon
In dim Eclips disastrous twilight sheds
On half the Nations, and with fear of change
Perplexes Monarchs. Dark'n'd so, yet shon
Above them all th' Arch Angel: but his face
Deep scars of Thunder had intrencht, and care
Sat on his faded cheek, but under Browes
Of dauntless courage, and considerate Pride
Waiting revenge: cruel his eye, but cast
Signs of remorse and passion to behold
The fellows of his crime, the followers rather
(Far other once beheld in bliss) condemn'd
For ever now to have their lot in pain,
Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc't
Of Heav'n, and from Eternal Splendors flung
For his revolt, yet faithfull how they stood,
Thir Glory witherd. As when Heavens Fire
Hath scath'd the Forrest Oaks, or Mountain Pines,
With singed top their stately growth though bare
Stands on the blasted Heath. He now prepar'd
To speak; whereat their doubl'd Ranks they bend
From Wing to Wing, and half enclose him round
With all his Peers: attention held them mute.
Thrice he assayd, and thrice in spite of scorn,
Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last

Words interwove with sighs found out their way.
O Myriads of immortal Spirits, O Powers
Matchless, but with th' Almighty, and that strife
Was not inglorious, though th' event was dire,
As this place testifies, and this dire change
Hateful to utter: but what power of mind
Foreseeing or presaging, from the Depth
Of knowledge past or present, could have fear'd,
How such united force of Gods, how such
As stood like these, could ever know repulse?
For who can yet beleeve, though after loss,
That all these puissant Legions, whose exile
Hath emptied Heav'n, shall faile to re-ascend
Self-rais'd, and repossess their native seat.
For me, be witness all the Host of Heav'n,
If counsels different, or danger shun'd
By me, have lost our hopes. But he who reigns
Monarch in Heav'n, till then as one secure
Sat on his Throne, upheld by old repute,
Consent or custome, and his Regal State
Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd,
Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.
Henceforth his might we know, and know our own
So as not either to provoke, or dread
New warr, provok't; our better part remains
To work in close design, by fraud or guile
What force effected not: that he no less
At length from us may find, who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
Space may produce new Worlds; whereof so rife
There went a fame in Heav'n that he ere long
Intended to create, and therein plant
A generation, whom his choice regard
Should favour equal to the Sons of Heaven:
Thither, if but to prie, shall be perhaps
Our first eruption, thither or elsewhere:

For this Infernal Pit shall never hold
Caelestial Spirits in Bondage, nor th' Abysse
Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts
Full Counsel must mature: Peace is despaird,
For who can think Submission? Warr then, Warr
Open or understood must be resolv'd.
He spake: and to confirm his words, out-flew
Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs
Of mighty Cherubim; the sudden blaze
Far round illumin'd hell: highly they rag'd
Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arm's
Clash'd on their sounding shields the din of war,
Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heav'n.
There stood a Hill not far whose griesly top
Belch'd fire and rowling smoak; the rest entire
Shon with a glossie scurff, undoubted sign
That in his womb was hid metallic Ore,
The work of Sulphur. Thither wing'd with speed
A numerous Brigad hasten'd. As when bands
Of Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'd
Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field,
Or cast a Rampart. MAMMON led them on,
MAMMON, the least erected Spirit that fell
From heav'n, for ev'n in heav'n his looks & thoughts
Were always downward bent, admiring more
The riches of Heav'ns pavement, trod'n Gold,
Then aught divine or holy else enjoy'd
In vision beatific: by him first
Men also, and by his suggestion taught,
Ransack'd the Center, and with impious hands
Rifl'd the bowels of thir mother Earth
For Treasures better hid. Soon had his crew
Op'nd into the Hill a spacious wound
And dig'd out ribs of Gold. Let none admire
That riches grow in Hell; that soyle may best
Deserve the pretious bane. And here let those

Who boast in mortal things, and wondring tell
Of BABEL, and the works of MEMPHIAN Kings,
Learn how thir greatest Monuments of Fame,
And Strength and Art are easily outdone
By Spirits reprobate, and in an hour
What in an age they with incessant toyle
And hands innumerable scarce perform
Nigh on the Plain in many cells prepar'd,
That underneath had veins of liquid fire
Sluc'd from the Lake, a second multitude
With wondrous Art founded the massie Ore,
Severing each kinde, and scum'd the Bullion dross:
A third as soon had form'd within the ground
A various mould, and from the boyling cells
By strange conveyance fill'd each hollow nook,
As in an Organ from one blast of wind
To many a row of Pipes the sound-board breaths.
Anon out of the earth a Fabrick huge
Rose like an Exhalation, with the sound
Of Dulcet Symphonies and voices sweet,
Built like a Temple, where PILASTERS round
Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid
With Golden Architrave; nor did there want
Cornice or Freeze, with bossy Sculptures grav'n,
The Roof was fretted Gold. Not BABILON,
Nor great ALCAIRO such magnificence
Equal'd in all thir glories, to inshrine
BELUS or SERAPIS thir Gods, or seat
Thir Kings, when AEGYPT with ASSYRIA strove
In wealth and luxurie. Th' ascending pile
Stood fixt her stately highth, and strait the dores
Op'ning thir brazen foulds discover wide
Within, her ample spaces, o're the smooth
And level pavement: from the arched roof
Pendant by suttle Magic many a row
Of Starry Lamps and blazing Cressets fed

With Naphtha and ASPHALTUS yeilded light
As from a sky. The hasty multitude
Admiring enter'd, and the work some praise
And some the Architect: his hand was known
In Heav'n by many a Towred structure high,
Where Scepter'd Angels held thir residence,
And sat as Princes, whom the supreme King
Exalted to such power, and gave to rule,
Each in his Herarchie, the Orders bright.
Nor was his name unheard or unador'd
In ancient Greece; and in AUSONIAN land
Men call'd him MULCIBER; and how he fell
From Heav'n, they fabl'd, thrown by angry JOVE
Sheer o're the Chrystal Battlements: from Morn
To Noon he fell, from Noon to dewy Eve,
A Summers day; and with the setting Sun
Dropt from the Zenith like a falling Star,
On LEMNOS th' AEGAEAN Ile: thus they relate,
Erring; for he with this rebellious rout
Fell long before; nor aught avail'd him now
To have built in Heav'n high Towrs; nor did he scape
By all his Engins, but was headlong sent
With his industrious crew to build in hell.
Mean while the winged Haralds by command
Of Sovran power, with awful Ceremony
And Trumpets sound throughout the Host proclaim
A solemn Councel forthwith to be held
At PANDAEMONIUM, the high Capital
Of Satan and his Peers: thir summons call'd
From every and Band squared Regiment
By place or choice the worthiest; they anon
With hundreds and with thousands trooping came
Attended: all access was throng'd, the Gates
And Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall
(Though like a cover'd field, where Champions bold
Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chair

Defi'd the best of Panim chivalry
To mortal combat or carreer with Lance)
Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air,
Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. As Bees
In spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides,
Poure forth thir populous youth about the Hive
In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers
Flie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank,
The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel,
New rub'd with Baume, expatiate and confer
Thir State affairs. So thick the aerie crowd
Swarm'd and were straitn'd; till the Signal giv'n,
Behold a wonder! they but now who seemd
In bigness to surpass Earths Giant Sons
Now less then smallest Dwarfs, in narrow room
Throng numberless, like that Pigmean Race
Beyond the INDIAN Mount, or Faerie Elves,
Whose midnight Revels, by a Forrest side
Or Fountain fome belated Peasant sees,
Or dreams he sees, while over head the Moon
Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth
Wheels her pale course, they on thir mirth & dance
Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear;
At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds.
Thus incorporeal Spirits to smallest forms
Reduc'd thir shapes immense, and were at large,
Though without number still amidst the Hall
Of that infernal Court. But far within
And in thir own dimensions like themselves
The great Seraphic Lords and Cherubim
In close recess and secret conclave sat
A thousand Demy-Gods on golden seat's,
Frequent and full. After short silence then
And summons read, the great consult began

Edmund Spenser
Life
Edmund Spenser was born in 1552 in London.
Between 1561 and 1569 he attended the Merchant Taylors’
School. That year he matriculated at Cambridge.
In 1573 he earned his Bachelor’s degree, and in 1576 his
master’s.
In 1579 he married his first wife, Maccabaeus Chylde.
In 1580 Spenser joined the service of Lord Arthur Grey, as his
secretary.
Grey was Lord Deputy of Ireland, and Spenser accompanied him
to Munster.
Ireland was in the midst of a rebellion against the English
colonials.
Grey was recalled to England in 1582, but Spenser remained in
Munster until 1589.
Spenser was granted an estate at Kilcolman, as well as a fifty
pound annual pension. He returned to Ireland to stay in 1591.
In 1594 Spenser married Elizabeth Boyle.
In 1598, an uprising at his estate forced Spenser to flee to

England. The Irish burned the Kilcolman castle, and Spenser
died in 1599, destitute.
Writings
Spenser wrote copiously throughout his life – mainly poetry.
Among his best known works are: “The Shepheardes Calendar,”
“Epithalamion,” and A View of the State of Ireland.
His most monumental work is The Faerie Queene, which he
modelled after Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Boccaccio’s The
Decameron.
The Faerie Queene
The Faerie Queene is 6 books long, although Spenser intended
the work to have 12 books in total. He died before the work was
complete.
Each book has a different theme and main character; the first
book features Redcrosse Knight and follows the theme of
“Holinesse.”
The Faerie Queene was published in two separate parts; books I-
III were published in 1590, and books IV-IV were published in
1596.
Much of this work features a search for a different land, a desire
for return, and hope for a good leader. These themes correspond

to Spenser’s social and political context.
The “Faerie Queene” herself is thought to be Queen Elizabeth,
whose favor Spenser sought all his life.
Conclusions
Edmund Spenser lived a challenging life, spending most of it as
a hated leader in a foreign country. He grew to hate the Irish
and consider them a savage people, as is evident in A View of
the State of Ireland.
Living in Ireland, he would have encountered resistance to
Protestantism, his chosen sect, as the Irish remained staunchly
Catholic.
His poetry reflects his struggles to cope with constant conflict
and to merely survive in a land he did not consider his own, and
among people whose values and beliefs he considered very
foreign indeed.
John Milton
Life
John Milton was born in 1608 in London.
His family was Protestant, though his father was a recent
convert from a family of Catholics.

Milton received tutoring as a child, and matriculated at Christ’s
College, Cambridge in 1625, graduating with a Bachelor’s
degree in 1629.
Milton received his Master’s degree in 1632, and then spent
several years individually studying, writing, and traveling.
Upon his return to England in 1639, Milton took up the Puritan
and Parliamentary cause in the English Civil War, writing
pamphlets in support.
He was married in 1642 to 16-year old Mary Powell, who stayed
with her family for most of the first three years of their
marriage. It is telling that Milton wrote several pro-divorce
tracts during this period.
Due to his consistent support of the Parliamentary cause
through his writings, Milton was appointed Secretary of Foreign
Tongues in 1649.
In this role he produced a great deal of propaganda on behalf of
Cromwell, the ruler of England after the execution of Charles I,
including a defense of regicide and a defense of popular rule.
During this time Milton was going blind, and was completely
blind by 1654.

The death of Cromwell in 1658 meant a fall from favor for
Milton.
He went into hiding as old political factions vied for power, and
a warrant was issued for his arrest upon the Restoration of
1660.
After a pardon was issued, Milton was still briefly imprisoned.
After his wife Mary’s death in 1652, Milton married two more
times.
He continued writing political tracts for the rest of his life, and
he died from an illness in 1674.
The English Civil War
The English Civil War (1642-1651) was a long series of
conflicts fought over monarchical authority and religion in
England.
It pitted the Royalists (loyal to the monarch, Charles I, and later
Charles II) against the Parliamentarians (those who supported a
popular government).
John Milton was a Parliamentarian.
Leading the Parliamentarians was Oliver Cromwell.
Some of the central concerns of the Parliamentarians were
Charles I’s disuse of Parliament (not calling it into session and
usurping its powers), and Charles’s marriage to Catholic
Henrietta-Maria, which caused English people to fear a return to
Catholicism.
Ultimately, war broke out over the division of power;
Parliament viewed the crown as attempting to seize all

authority, and the crown viewed Parliament as usurping on the
divine right of kings.
After 8 years of warring, Charles I was tried for treason by
Parliament, and unprecedented process challenging absolute
rule.
The king was found guilty, and beheaded publicly at Whitehall.
Charles’s son, Charles II, attempted to retake the throne in 1650
but was defeated.
For nearly a decade, Oliver Cromwell essentially ruled as Lord
Protector, installing a more Puritan form of Protestantism and
embracing the authority of a king.
Upon Cromwell’s death in 1658, the Parliamentarians dissolved
into factions and anarchy broke out.
In 1660 Charles II returned to England from exile, promising a
better rule and to unite the kingdom. He was crowned in 1661.
Charles II returned the country’s religion to its pre-Puritan
doctrine, and he ruled until 1685.
Milton’s Writings
For most of his life, Milton wrote political tracts such as “On
True Religion” (1673), “The Tenure of Kings and Magistrates”

(1649), and “Of Reformation” (1641).
His later life was devoted more to poetry, including his most
famous poetic works, “Samson Agonistes” (1671) and Paradise
Lost (1667).
Paradise Lost is the poetic narrative of Satan’s fall from Heaven
and his tempting of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Conclusions
John Milton was a radical reformer in England, both in terms of
governmental authority and religion.
He also survived a great deal of hardship in his life, including
post-war persecution and blindness.
His copious writings demonstrate a great deal of resolve and
conviction, and in that way portray a strong sense of identity.
With Milton’s poetic works, we get a different point of access
into his identity, and that is part of what makes Paradise Lost so
interesting. It is a unique take on the biblical story through the
eyes of a seventeenth-century revolutionary.

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