Paradise Lost Books IX and X "Discuss the development of the characters of Adam and Eve and their relationship" The major theme of 'Paradise Lost' is the development of the relationship between Adam and Eve

Paradise Lost Books IX and X "Discuss the development of the characters of Adam and Eve and their relationship" The major theme of 'Paradise Lost' is the development of the relationship between Adam and Eve. Throughout the poem we are asked to draw conclusions on the many different events that we come across as well as the reactions that we see from the two major characters. Indeed, the only real clear-cut thing that we see from Adam and Eve is their unreliability with each other. Milton's presentation of Adam and Eve in "Paradise Lost" book IX changes as a transition occurs throughout the different stages of the 'fall of man'. The prelapsarian innocence and postlapsarian guilt and sin of Adam and Eve are presented and separate characterisations start to emerge. The description that Milton uses to describe the Garden at the start of the poem is very beautiful. In turn, we see the same sort of idyllic scene with Adam and Eve, side by side working together; "With grateful smell, forth came the human pair and joined their vocal worship to the choir". Milton's language here creates a very calm and picturesque portrayal of the garden when in fact; it is merely the calm before the storm for both the garden and the relationship between Adam and Eve. Milton lures us into a false sense of security and then shows us the other side to the pair in the quite heated discussion they have

  • Word count: 1727
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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By means of what textual strategies does Milton seek to 'justify the ways of God to man' in Paradise Lost

By means of what textual strategies does Milton seek to 'justify the ways of God to man' in Paradise Lost? In this essay I will set out to show how Milton sets out to 'justify the ways of God to men' and the ways in which Milton strives to do this. I will firstly explain the political background in which Milton found himself writing in. I will closely analyse the opening Invocation of Book I, explaining how this sets out the rest of the poem, and vice versa. I will also look closely at the character of God, and what Milton means by 'God' and 'justify, before offering a conclusion to summarise any points. Milton's great objective in writing Paradise Lost was to conduct a 'great argument' in order to 'assert eternal providence, /And justify the ways of God to men' (1. 24-26) 1. What the poet is claiming as his task is to demonstrate the ultimate justice of God, and thus to prove the existence of divine providence - that is, to prove the world is not ruled by blind chance, but that events have meaning or purpose. The poem is not a religious one in that it does not inspire religious devotion; it just has religious concerns. Therefore Milton's intention to 'assert' and 'justify' seem almost out of place here, more fitting in a legal or political pamphlet. Paradise lost, in asserting 'Eternal Providence', attempts to uncover the hidden pattern of history in the context of a

  • Word count: 2351
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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There are many indications within the poetry of Tony Harrison that he considers his work within the context of the canon.

'Whether one thinks of the canon as objectionable because formed at random or to serve some interests at the expense of others, or whether one supposes that the contents of canons are providentially chosen, there can be no doubt that we have not found ways of ordering our thoughts about the history of literature and art without recourse to them.' (Kermode, p.20). In what ways do you believe Tony Harrison to be affected by the canon. Use analyses of the poem to illustrate your answer. There are many indications within the poetry of Tony Harrison that he considers his work within the context of the canon. The repeated referencing of other poets1 and conscious emulation of the form of other poems ('v.' is an adaptation of Gray's 'Elegy on a Country Churchyard' ) suggest that Harrison's work is heavily influenced by other poets, despite his seemingly original style. The way that he uses his referencing is not straightforward, however; it could be suggested that the more traditional references are ironic, as Harrison contrasts his brash modern style with the more 'genteel' feel of the poets in the canon. The continual allusions to the opposition his poetry has faced, and his subsequent under confidence, can have said to have led to a need for the reassurance of the canon: using the models of other poets to validate the worth of his own poetry. Alternatively, Harrison may feel

  • Word count: 2057
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Milton’s Use of The Classics

Milton's Use of The Classics Milton imitates some scenes from classical authors in his Paradise Lost. Three examples of Milton's use from the classics are, Adam and Eve, how he describes Satan, and Eve looking at her reflection in a pond. For these examples he imitates scenes from Homer's Iliad, Vergil's Aeneid, and Ovid's Metamorphoses. One scene that Milton uses from a classical author is the scene with Adam trying to seduce Eve. Once he has seduced her he takes her into the bushes to make love. This scene is similar to Homer's Iliad when Zeus wants to make love to Hera. Zeus says to Hera, "For never before has love for any goddess or woman so melted about the heart inside me" (Homer, 14.312-16). This scene is similar to Milton's because it is the man trying to seduce the woman so they can make love. This shows that Milton imitated the concept of seduction from Homer. Another scene that Milton gets from a great writer is what Satan looks like. In Milton's book he describes Satan as a serpent with rising folds and a neck of verdant gold with circling spires. In Vergil's Aeneid there is a description of a serpent, which is described as having trailing seven huge loops, encircling the tomb, and with scales that gleam of gold (Vergil, 5.84-90). By comparing the two descriptions we see the similarities of rising folds and huge loops, neck of verdant gold and scales

  • Word count: 430
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Show how Ngugi uses his narrative to contrast the inner emotional qualities in his characters- (chapter 7 pages 99-107)

Show how Ngugi uses his narrative to contrast the inner emotional qualities in his characters- (chapter 7 pages 99-107) After a long hard struggle, In 1963 Kenya was finally on the verge of grasping their long awaited independence from the British. The novel, 'A Grain of Wheat', takes the reader back to the period between the fighting and the so-called 'new world'. It is a true manifestation of emotional individuality of both the colonized and colonizer alike, where they reflect on what has been gained by their triumph, but more importantly what has been lost in their fight for sovereignty. It is a poignant novel of love, betrayal and sacrifice, which in them selves are strong emotional qualities, and are only emphasized by the narrative. In this extract it becomes clear that Ngugi allows the reader to decide what the characters are feeling by contrasting different events and characters, sometimes even by distinguishing between past and present actions. Therefore it is suggested that through the contrasting narrative Ngugi wants the reader to make certain judgments upon his characters. The first contrast that comes into light is the revelation of Kihika's departure to fight in the forest and join the other freedom fighters. This is not surprising to the reader, since we see Kihika's strong passion, for the cause, formed at a young age where even his 'heart hardened towards'

  • Word count: 1651
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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Archetypes in the Books of Genesis and Exodus.

Courtney Smalczewski Mr. Reist ENG 4U1 September 15, 2003 Archetypes in the Books of Genesis and Exodus The Bible is by far the book with the largest amount of archetypes. Three of the major archetypes are: the concept of paradise, the serpent, and trees. The concept of paradise represents many things. The paradise of the Christian and Jewish religion is an enclosed garden. However, in other religions paradise may be a city, underwater, or even in a cluster of pearls. No matter what or where it is paradise always encompasses the same meaning: perfect harmony. In paradise God and humans are in perfect unity. So are humans in perfect oneness with animals and their surroundings. In all paradises there are two trees. These two trees are the tree of life and the tree of knowledge. The tree of knowledge is not to be touched, touching it will give you the knowledge of good and evil. "God commanded the Man, "You can eat from any tree in the garden, except from the Tree-of-Knowledge-of-Good-and-Evil. Don't eat from it. The moment you eat from that tree, you're dead." (Peterson 2). Adam and Eve ate from the tree and paradise was lost to them. The concept of losing paradise is present in all people. It represents our need for knowledge; some would sacrifice everything, even paradise, for the knowledge of God. Losing paradise can also present a fear to us. We all fear losing

  • Word count: 760
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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'Paradise Lost' - "Our Flesh is An Eve Within Us"[1]- The Presentation of Eve and her role in the Fall.

Word Count: 3,266 'Paradise Lost' "Our Flesh is An Eve Within Us"1 - The Presentation of Eve and her role in the Fall Paradise Lost begins and ends with Man, but this is not Man as we know him in daily life, nor indeed as he is usually depicted in literature, but a perfect, pre-lapsarian Man. The primary concern of this epic poem appears to be "man's first disobedience"2 and the results of that action. However, although Milton uses the word "man", it is universally understood that it was not a man, but a woman who disobeyed God and brought about the downfall of the human race. This woman is Eve. Diane Kelsey McColley in her book Milton's Eve asserts that the "story of our first parents shows woman as flesh, passions, nature, and sexuality seducing man as soul, reason, spiritual virtue and contemplation from his proper relation to God".3 The portrayal of Eve as primordial temptress is a long-standing one and can be found not only discursively in literary history but also pictorially in art history, and these traditions are perhaps accountable for the reductive opinion of Eve today. Before Paradise Lost, literary accounts of the Fall interpreted the story as male virtue undone by female concupiscence and masculine reason undermined by feminine passion. This blame for Eve as Adam's inferior perhaps originates from the source of the story, the book of Genesis. When God

  • Word count: 3531
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Linguistics, Classics and related subjects
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