This document provides context and extracts from John Milton's epic poem Paradise Lost. It discusses the Restoration period in which Milton wrote, provides biographical information about Milton, summarizes the plot of Paradise Lost, and includes tasks analyzing extracts from the poem and comparing it to the Biblical story of Adam and Eve. Students are asked to take notes, analyze the extracts in groups, consider how love is presented, and devise an essay plan comparing Paradise Lost to other works about love through the ages.

2. What type(s) of love do you think are / will be present?Can you see any immediate connections with other texts we have studied? Make notes on your handout.

5. Illustrations of Paradise Lost Satan Watching the Endearments of Adam and Eve

6. Illustrations of Paradise Lost The Temptation and Fall of Eve

7. Illustration of Paradise Lost The Expulsion from Paradise

8. Restoration Period1660 - 1689 Read through the handout you have been given. What do you think the significant points are? How does this period compare to the other periods that we have studied? Do you see any great changes that may impact on the literature of the time?

9. Who was John Milton? John Milton (9 December 1608 – 8 November 1674) was an English poet, best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost. He wrote at a time of religious flux and political upheaval in England, and his poetry and prose reflect deep convictions and deal with contemporary issues, such as his treatise condemning censorship, He was an official serving under Oliver Cromwell. Though Cromwell’s death in 1658 caused the English Republic to collapse into feuding military and political factions, Milton stubbornly clung to the beliefs that had originally inspired him to write for the Commonwealth. In 1659 he published A Treatise of Civil Power, attacking the concept of a state-dominated church, denouncing corrupt practices in church governance. As the Republic disintegrated, Milton wrote several proposals to retain a non-monarchical government - against the wishes of parliament. Upon the Restoration in May 1660, Milton went into hiding for his life following his propaganda writings, while a warrant was issued for his arrest and his writings burnt. He re-emerged after a general pardon was issued, but was nevertheless arrested and briefly imprisoned before influential friends intervened. On 24 February 1663 Milton remarried, for a third and final time, and spent the remaining decade of his life living quietly in London, only retiring to a cottage – Milton’s Cottage – in Chalfont St. Giles, his only existing home. Milton died of kidney failure on 8 November 1674 and was buried in the church ofSt. Giles, Cripplegate.

10. What is Paradise Lost? Paradise Lost is an epic poem by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. The poem concerns the Christian story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is to "justify the ways of God to men" and clarify the conflict between God's eternal foresight and free will. Milton incorporates Paganism, classical Greek references, and Christianity within the poem. It deals with diverse topics from marriage, politics and the monarchy, along with issues including fate, predestination and the introduction of sin and death into the world. Milton's epic is generally considered one of the greatest literary works in the English language.

11. Task Read through the extracts from Paradise Lost. What is happening in each extract? How is Eve presented in the first extract? How is the love between Adam and Eve presented overall? How do you think this extract links to the context?

12. Group Task You will be working in groups, analysing the extracts from Paradise Lost, Book IX. You will be required to analyse your extract with a particular focus and then present your ideas to the rest of the class. You should ensure you include textual evidence with detailed analysis and interpretations.

13. Group Task Be prepared to feedback your ideas!

14. …To end the lesson Three things that you have learnt about the restoration or the work of John Milton this lesson. Two things that you would like to know about the restoration or the work of John Milton. One thing you knew about the Restoration or John Milton at the start of the lesson.

16. As you are waiting for the lesson to begin… Summarise your understanding of Paradise Lost by John Milton to 8 bullet points. What texts have you read so far that you could compare to Paradise Lost? How do they compare?

18. To explore the links between Paradise Lost and other texts studied.

20. What links can you see between this and Paradise Lost?

21. How is Paradise Lost different to the Bible story?

22. Why do you think Milton has emulated such a well-known story?

24. How is love presented in the poem On Desire by Aphra Behn? In the exam, you will be given two unseen extracts. The questions test your wider reading in the prescribed area for study – Love Through the Ages. In your answer, you should take every opportunity to refer to your wider reading. You will work in groups to devise an essay plan on one unseen poem from the Restoration era.

26. Key quotations to support your points.

27. The ways the writers use form, structure and language to express their thoughts and ideas .