经典分析弥尔顿-失乐园分析

JohnMilton(1608—1674)HeremainedoutsidebothDonne’sandJonson’sinfluence2021/5/91ParadiseLosttakesitsplaceinwesternliteraturealongwithHomer’sIlliadandOdyssey,Virgil’sAneid《伊尼伊德》,andDante’sDivineComedyandinEnglishliteraturewithBeowulfandSpenser’sFairieQueene.2021/5/921.JohnMilton'sTimes1642-1649:EnglishCivilWarKing/AnglicanClergyvs.Parliament(dominatedbyPuritans)ProtestantRevolution(DeathofKingCharlesI)1649-1660:NoBritishKing1649-1653:Commonwealth1653-1658:ProtectorateofOliverCromwell1660:Restoration(ofKingCharlesII)2021/5/93

2.Milton’sReligion

1).MiltonbelievedthateachindividualChristianshouldbehisownchurch,withoutanyestablishmenttoencumberhim.

2).Inhislateryears,MiltoncametoviewallorganizedChristianchurches,whetherAnglican,CatholicorPresbyterian,asanobstacletotruefaith.2021/5/943.Hisrevolutionarycareer

1).Pamphleteeringinthecauseofreligiousandcivillibertyin1641-60.2).AppointedLatinSecretarytoCromwell’sCouncilofStatein1649.3).CensorandeditoroftheCommonwealthpaper,MercuriusPoliticuin1651.LatinDefenseofthePeopleofEngland.4).Totallyblindin1652andimprisonedforashorttimeaftertherestorationandthenretiredtoprivatelife.

2021/5/954.Milton’sliterarycareer

1625-1640:shortpoems:L’AllegroandIl

Penseroso(1632),Comus(1634,宴会欢乐之神),andLycidas(1638)1640-1660:pamphletsandtracts:Areopagitica(1644《论出版自由》);TheDefenseoftheEnglishPeople(1650);The2ndDefenseoftheEnglishPeople(1650).1660-1674:ParadiseLost(1667),Paradise

Regained(1671),andSamson

Agonistes(1671).

2021/5/961).Milton’sWorksofHisEarlyDaysPoemswritteninCambridgeandatHorton:a.OntheMorningofChrist’sNativity《基督诞生晨颂》,firstimportantworkb.L’Allegro《快乐的人》Penseroso《幽思的人》c.Comus《科玛斯》amask假面剧,inblankversed.Lycidas《利西达斯》,expressingthepathos(哀颂)ofhisfriendEdwardKing’sprematuredeathtwinlyricalpoemsRhyme:abbacdeec2021/5/972).Worksofhisadultyears:a.pamphletsonreligiousreform

OfReformationinEngland《论英国改革》b.pamphletsonmarriageanddivorce:

DoctrineandDisciplineofDivorce《离婚的戒律与学说》c.Areopagitica《论出版自由》aproseworkforthefreedomofthepressd.DefenceoftheEnglishPeople《为英国人民声辩》

—Apamphletagainstthedivinerightoftheking.—Peoplemadetheking,sothekingshoulddoeverythingforthepeople.2021/5/98e.TheSecondDefenceoftheEnglishPeople

《再为英国人民声辩》

—AnanswertotheproductionsagainsttheCommonwealth.—Fightforthelibertyofthenationsintheworldandrecovertheirlostliberty.3).Milton’sworksofoldagea.ParadiseLostb.ParadiseRegainedc.SamsonAgonistes2021/5/995.ParadiseLost(1667)2021/5/9101).OverviewofParadiseLost

__Milton’smasterpiece.__Alongepicin12books.__takenfromtheOldTestament.__Majorcharacters:Satan,God,Archangel,Adam,Eve…__ItisaboutSatan’srebellionagainstGodandtheexpulsionofAdamandEvefromtheGardenofEden.2021/5/911ThecreationTherebellionofSatanandhisfellowangelsTheirdefeatandexpulsionfromHeavenCreationoftheearthandofAdamandEveSataninhellplottingagainstGodSatan’stemptationofEveDepartureofAdamandEvefromEden2).TheStoryofParadiseLost2021/5/912ParadiseLost–LeadingUptotheBeginningAtthebeginningofpoem,warinHeavenhasbeenoverfortwoweeks;Forninedays,SatanandthosewhofoughtGodalongsidehimhavebeenlyinginHell,stunnedattheoutcome;ThefirstcharactertomoveisSatan,whobeginsbyspeakingtoBeelzebub;Startstosortofrallyhistroops.2021/5/913

AtthecenteroftheconflictbetweenhumanloveandspiritualdutyliesMilton’sfundamentalconcernwithfreedomandchoice;thefreedomtosubmittoGod'sprohibitiononeatingtheappleandthechoiceofdisobediencemadeforlove.Eve,seducedbySatan’srhetoricandherownconfusedambitionfallsintosinthroughinnocentcredulity.AdamfallsbyconsciouslychoosinghumanloveratherthanobeyingGod.Thisistheerrorwhereinhisgreatnesslies.InthefallofmanAdamdiscoveredhisfullhumanity.Butman'sfallisthesequeltoanotherandmorestupendoustragedy,thefalloftheangels.Byliftinghisargumenttothatplane,Miltonraisestheproblemofevilinamoreintractableform.MiltonheldthatGodcreatedallthingsoutofHimself,includingevil.TherewasevilinHeavenbeforeSatanrebelled:Pride,Lust,Wrath,andAvaricewerethere.3).Themes:arevoltagainstGod’sauthority2021/5/914

AttheexaltationoftheSontheseforceseruptedandwerecastforth.ButGodsufferedthemtoescapefromHellandinfecttheEarth.Andthenthetragedywasre-enacted,butwithadifference—“Manshallfindgrace”.Buthemustlayholdofitbyanactoffree-will.ThefreedomofthewillisthekeystoneofMilton'screed.HispoemattemptstoconvinceusthattheunquestionabletruthofBiblicalrevelationmeansthatanall-knowingGodwasjustinallowingAdamandEvetobetemptedand,oftheirfreewill,tochoosesinanditsinevitablepunishment.And,thereby,itopensthewayforthevoluntarysacrificeofChrist,whichshowedthemercyofGodinbringinggoodoutevil.2021/5/915OnlySixmajorcharactersSatan,theleaderofthefallenangels(nowknownasdevils)Beelzebub,Satan´sclosestfriend/allyGod,theFatherTheSon,alsoknownastheMessiah,ChristAdam,thefirstman,livinginParadiseEve,hiswife,supposedtobeunderhiscontrol4).Thecharacters2021/5/916Satan：arebelagainsttyrannyandSatanandhisfollowersresemblea_________________.

MajorQuote:"BettertoreigninHellthenserveinHeav'n!"republicanParliament2021/5/917Satan:ChineseView1.Arebelagainsttyranny2.Milton’smouthpiece,utteringhishatredoftyranny.3.Revoltagainstthedictatorandestablisheddoctrines.

2021/5/918WesternViewSatan’squalitiesareperverted:evilandexaggerated.Satan'sdefianceofGodmanifests:hisegoisticpride,falseconceptionoffreedom,alienationfromallgood;Religiouslyandmorallycorruptandblind.ConsciousnessofhisownevilanddamnationSatanandhisfellowsareenvelopedindramaticironybecausetheyfightandschemeinignoranceoftheunshakablepowerofGodandgoodness.2021/5/919BeelzebubSatan’sBestFriendHeistalkingtoSatanaboutareturntoHeavenformorefightingDisappearsafterBookI,sincetherestofthestoryconcernsSatan,God,andtheFirstPeople

2021/5/920GodTheFather：selfishdespot,cruel,unjustCalledtheFatherbecauseofHolyTrinity:TheFather,theSon,theHolySpiritRulerofHeavenandCreatorofEarthItwasHewhocastSatanoutFirstappearanceisinBookIII:“NowhadtheAlmightyFather,fromabove,

FromthepureEmpyreanwherehesits

Highthronedaboveallheighth,bentdownhiseye…”–Lines56-582021/5/921TheSonAlsoreferredtoasTheMessiahWhenGodtheFatherfirstspeaks,itisTheSonthatHeisaddressingTheFatherandSonseeAdameattheappleTheSonmovesdown,inBookX,tointerview,passjudgementon,andclotheAdamandEve2021/5/922Adam

ThefirstmanHeliveswithEveintheGardenofEden(Paradise,Earth)HeeatsfromtheTreeofKnowledgeonlyafterEvedoesReferredtoas“thepatriarchofman”,Line379,BookIX2021/5/923EveThefirstwomanSatanuseshercuriosityagainstherSheistrickedinto,andgivenabadnamefor,eatingfromtheTreeofKnowledgefirstGenesis3:18referstoheras“themotherofallliving”2021/5/924Adam&EveChineseView:embodyMilton’sbeliefinthepowersofman,cravingforknowledge.WesternView:EnvelopedinaparallelkindofironyGardenofEdenisasymbolicrenderingofMilton'svisionofperfection;butitispresentedwithSatan,thusidyllicinnocenceandhappinessareseenonlyundertheshadowofevil.farfromattaininggodlikeknowledge,theysuccumbtoanimallust.Thoughthereispromisedredemptionforthefaithful,andthoughthepoemisadivinecomedywithahappyending,Milton'spanoramaofhumanhistorygiveslittlegroundforhopeonearth.5).Understandingoftheselection2021/5/925Lines50-58NinetimesthespacethatmeasuresdayandnightTomortalmen,hewithhishorridcrewLayvanquish'd,rollinginthefierygulf,Confoundedthoughimmortal.ButhisdoomReserv'dhimtomorewrath;fornowthethoughtBothoflosthappinessandlastingpainTormentshim;roundhethrowshisbalefuleyes,Thatwitness'dhugeafflictionanddismayMix'dwithobdurateprideandsteadfasthate.Thiscarefullyavoidsthesimplerexpressionof“ninedaysandnights”becausethemutinyinheavenoccurredbeforetheCreationUtterlydefeatedandruined.Judgment;punishmentDestined;keptforSatan’shappylifeinheavennowlostforeverThepaininhellwhichSatanmustsuffernowforeverEvilandsuffering.NotethedepthofDescriptionhere,andthisfromablindman2021/5/926依照人间的计算，大约九天九夜，他和他那一伙可怕的徒众，沉沦辗转在烈火的深渊中。虽属不死之身，却象死者一样横陈；但这个惩罚反激起他更大的忿怒，既失去了幸福，又受无穷痛苦的煎熬。他抬起忧郁的双眼，环顾周遭，摆在眼前的是莫大的隐忧和烦恼，顽固的傲气和难消的憎恨交织着。2021/5/927Lines59-64

Atonce,asfarasAngelsken,heviews

Thedismalsituationwasteandwild:

Adungeonhorribleonallsidesround

Asonegreatfurnaceflam'd;yetfromthoseflames

Nolight,butratherdarknessvisible

Serv'donlytodiscoversightsofwoe,

Inonecomprehensiveviewrangeofvisionreveal2021/5/928霎时间，他竭尽天使的目力，望断际涯，但见悲风弥漫，浩渺无垠，四面八方围着他的是个可怕的地牢，象一个洪炉的烈火四射，但那火焰却不发光，只是灰蒙蒙的一片，可以辨认出那儿的苦难景况，2021/5/929杜勒﹝AlbrechtDurerand忧郁(MelencoliaI﹞1514年2021/5/930读《拉奥孔》文字艺术不但能制造颜色的矛盾，还能调和黑暗和光明的真矛盾，创辟新奇的景象。例如《金楼子》第二篇《箴戒》“两日并出，黑光遍天”，冯明期《滹沱秋兴》“倒卷黑云遮古林，平沙落日光如漆”……莱辛称赞弥尔顿《乐园的丧失》里有“诗歌的画”，在《拉奥孔》草稿中列举该诗章句为例，都是描述继续进展的动作的，“物质的画”画不出来。不过，弥尔顿有些形容状态的词句，也同样无法画入“物质的画”，拉辛似乎忽视了。

2021/5/931例如地狱里的阴火“没有亮光，只是可以照见事物的黑暗”，又魔鬼向天堂开炮，射出一道“黑火”(blackfire)。本身黑暗的光明或本身光明的黑暗，造型艺术很难表达。中国诗里的“黑日”也曾出现在雨果的诗里：“一个可怕的黑太阳耀射出昏夜”……一位大画家确曾企图把黑太阳画出来；尽管度勒的名作《忧郁》里那枚黑太阳也博得雨果的叹赏，我们终觉得不如他自己的诗句惊心动魄。竟可以大胆说，我们要不是事先心中有数，还看不出度勒所画的是黑太阳呢。

2021/5/932Antithesis:

Arhetoricaldeviceinwhichirreconcilableoppositesorstronglycontrastingideasareplacedinsharpjuxtapositionandsustainedtension,asinthephrase“theypromisedfreedomandprovidedslavery.”

AbrahamLincoln’s“GettysburgAddress”:Theworldwilllittlenotenorlongrememberwhatwesayhere,butitcanneverforgetwhattheydidhere.2021/5/933Paradox:

Anapparentlyself-contradictorystatement,theunderlyingmeaningofwhichisrevealedonlybycarefulscrutiny.Thepurposeofaparadoxistoarrestattentionandprovokefreshthought.Thestatement“lessismore”isanexample.

InGeorgeOrwell’santi-UtopiansatireAnimalFarm(1945),thefirstcommandmentoftheanimals’communeisrevisedintoawittyparadox:“Allanimalsareequal,butsomeanimalsaremoreequalthanothers.”2021/5/934Oxymoron

Whenaparadoxiscompressedintowords,asin“loudsilence”,“lonelycrowd”,or“livingdeath”,itiscalledanOxymoron.2021/5/935Lines65-74Regionsofsorrow,dolefulshades,wherepeaceAndrestcanneverdwell,hopenevercomes

Thatcomestoall,buttorturewithoutend

Stillurges,andafierydeluge,fed

Withever-burningsulphurunconsum'd.SuchplaceEternalJusticehadprepar'dForthoserebellious;heretheirprisonordain'dInutterdarkness,andtheirportionset,Asfarremov'dfromGodandlightofHeav'nAsfromthecentrethricetoth'utmostpole.HopethatcomestoallnevercomestothefallenAngels.pressesonforeverAndafierydeluge,fed…,stillurges.Here“eternaljusticehad”ordainedtheirprisonInutterdarkness,andsettheirportion(i.e.lot)TheCenter:theearth.InParadiseLostthestarryuniverseisunderstoodasagreathollowsphereenclosedinanopaqueshell.Aflightofstairsleadtoheavenfromthetopofthespherewhereanopeningismade,throughwhichpassagebetweenearth,heavenandhellcanbeeffected.Theutmostpole:referingtotheendoftheaxisrunningthroughthestarryuniverse,nottheEarth’spole.JacobsLadderThedistancedownwardfromearthtohellistwiceaslongasthatfromearthtoheaven.Inall,thedistancebetweenempyrealheavenandhellisthreetimesthatfromtheearthtothepoleofthestarryuniverse.2021/5/936悲惨的境地和凄怆的暗影。和平和安息绝不在那儿停留，希望无所不到，惟独不到那里。只有无穷无尽的苦难紧紧跟着永燃的硫磺不断地添注，不灭的火焰，洪水般向他们滚滚逼来。这个地方，就是正义之神为那些叛逆者准备的，在天外的冥荒中为他们设置的牢狱，那个地方离开天神和天界的亮光，相当于天极到中心的三倍那么远。2021/5/937Lines75-83Ohhowunliketheplacefromwhencetheyfell!Therethecompanionsofhisfall,o'erwhelm'dWithfloodsandwhirlwindsoftempestuousfire,Hesoondiscerns;andwelt'ringbyhissideOnenexthimselfinpowerandnextincrime,LongafterknowninPalestineandnam'dBeëlzebub.Towhomth'Arch-Enemy,AndthenceinHeav'ncall'dSatan,withboldwordsBreakingthehorridsilence,thusbegan:Therehesoondiscernsthecompanionsofhisfall…andonenexttohimselfinpowerandcrime,welteringbyhisside,knowninPalestinelongafterandnamedBeelzebubChiefenemy,i.e.Satan.InHebrew,‘adversary”.2021/5/938啊，这里和他所从坠落的地方比起来是何等的不同呀！和他一起坠落的伙伴们淹没在猛火的洪流和旋风之中，他辨认得出，在他近旁挣扎的，论权力和罪行都仅次于他的神魔，后来在巴勒斯坦知道他的名字叫别西卜。这个在天上叫做撒旦的首要神敌，用豪言壮语打破可怕的沉寂，开始向他的伙伴这样说道：2021/5/939Lines84-92"Ifthoubeesthe--butohhowfall'n!howchang'dFromhimwho,inthehappyrealmsoflight,Cloth'dwithtranscendentbrightnessdidstoutshineMyriadsthoughbright!--ifhewhommutualleague,Unitedthoughtsandcounsels,equalhopeAndhazardinthegloriousenterprise,Join'dwithmeonce,nowmiseryhathjoin'dInequalruin,intowhatpitthouseestFromwhathighthfall'n.Satan’srebellionThesubjectsof“joined”are“mutualleague,unitedthoughtsandcounsels,equalhopeandhazard’.Nowmiseryhathjoined(theewithme)inequalruin.i.e.weareeqaullyfallenandruined2021/5/940“是你啊；这是何等的坠落！何等的变化呀！你原来住在光明的乐土，全身披覆着无比的光辉，胜过群星的灿烂；你曾和我结成同盟，同心同气，同一希望，在光荣的大事业中和我在一起。现在，我们是从何等高的高天上，沉沦到了何等深的深渊呀！2021/5/941Lines92-99Somuchthestrongerprov'dHewithhisthunder--andtillthenwhoknewTheforceofthosedirearms?Yetnotforthose,NorwhatthepotentvictorinhisrageCanelseinflict,doIrepentorchange,Thoughchang'dinoutwardlustre,thatfix'dmind,Andhighdisdainfromsenseofinjur'dmerit,99Thatwiththemightiestrais'dmetocontend,2021/5/942他握有雷霆，确是强大，谁知道这凶恶的武器竟有那么大的威力呢？可是，那威力，那强与力的胜利者的狂暴，都不能叫我懊丧，或者叫我改变初衷，虽然外表的光彩改变了，但坚定的心志和安然的骄矜决不转变；由于真价值的受损，激动了我，决心和强权决一胜负，2021/5/943Lines100-105AndtothefiercecontentionbroughtalongInnumerableforceofSpiritsarm'd,Thatdurstdislikehisreignand,mepreferring,Hisutmostpowerwithadversepoweroppos'dIndubiousbattleontheplainsofHeav'n,Andshookhisthrone.2021/5/944率领无数天军投入剧烈的战斗，他们都厌恶天神的统治而来拥护我，拿出全部力量跟至高的权力对抗，在天界疆场上做因此冒险的战斗，动摇了他的宝座。2021/5/945LastLinesofParadiseLostTheylookingback,allth’EasternsidebeheldOfParadise,solatetheirhappieseat,Wav’doverbythatflamingBrand,theGateWithdreadfulFacesthrongdandfierieArmes;Somenaturaltearstheydropd,butwip’dthemsoon;Theworldwasallbeforethem,wheretochooseThirplaceofrest,andProvidencethirguide:Theyhandinhandwithwandringstepsandslow,ThroughEdentookthirsolitarieway.2021/5/946InvolvedstylewithfrequentinversionsandverycomplicatedsentencestructureFirstlines:Hurledheadlongflamingfromth’EtherealSkieWithhideousruinandcombustiondownTobottomlessperdition,theretodwellInAdamantineChainsandpenalFire,Whodurstdefieth’OmnipotenttoArms.

Heretheinvertedstructurevividlydepictshisbeinghurledtothehellheadoverheels.6).LiteraryStyle2021/5/947LongandinvolvedsentenceThecontinuousflowbuildsupacontinuousonwardpressure.Nevermonotonous,andthepatternofsoundissoweddedtothepatternofsensethateachisessentialtotheother.

2021/5/948LatinatesyntaxanddictionMilton'smeansofachievingtheelevationrequiredbyaloftythemeisintermixedwithpuresimplicity.enlargeandenrichhisrangeofemphasisandhisuseofeconomy,contrast,suspension;toexpresshissublimityofthought,hewroteinastylethatisunsurpassedinitssonority,eloquence,majestyandgrandeur.ThisstyleiscalledtheMiltonicstyle.2021/5/949Grewsteadilyafter1667andwaswellestablishedbeforeJosephAddison'spapersonParadiseLostappearedinTheSpectator(1712);Hisinfluenceon18th-centuryversewasimmense.SamuelJohnson:Itsperusalisadutyratherthanapleasure.WereadMiltonforinstruction,retireharassedandoverburdened,andlookelsewhereforrecreation;wedesertoutmaster,andseekforcompanions.

6.Milton’sReputation2021/5/95019thcenturytwokindsofcriticalopinion:TherevolutionaryRomanticpoetslaunchedthe"Satanist"misinterpretationofParadiseLostandmadeitsauthorarebel;OthercriticsconsideredMilton'sbeliefsandideaslong-deadfundamentalismandattendedtothepoem'spurelyliteraryqualities.2021/5/951Thepoet'sinfluencewanedduringtheVictorianage,andinthe20thcenturythenewpoetryandcriticismlaunchedbyEzraPoundandT.S.Eliotwerestronglyanti-Miltonandpro-JohnDonne.T.S.Eliot:弥尔顿“使英国语言受到了败坏”“弥尔顿任何一阶段的诗都没有突出地表现过视觉想象力。……弥尔顿从来就没有看到过任何东西……读《失乐园》时，我发觉我感到最愉快的地方恰好是那些最不需要用眼睛看的地方。”2021/5/952Butduringthe1940sand'50sashiftincriticalattitudestookplace,anddozensofbooksandhundredsofarticlesweregiventotheideasandbeliefsBythesecondhalfofthe20thcenturyhisworkshadregainedtheirplaceinthecanonofWesternliterature.2021/5/953Macauley弥尔顿的诗篇最显著的特征在于让读者产生的联想之极度邈远。它所制造的效果，不在于表达了什么，而在其暗示性；不在其直接表达的意思，而在与其相关联的其他含义。他通过导体，间接击中人的心灵。最没有想象力的人，也必然会理解《伊利亚特》。荷马让他没得选择，而且不要求他费任何力气，全由作者一手操办，意象场景描画得明明白白，想看不清楚都不成。相反，弥尔顿的读者，如果不用心主动与作者配合，将无法理解或欣赏他的诗作。他不会画出一幅‘完满’的图画，也不会为消极被动的听众演奏。他仅是简笔白描，空白处都留待读者去填充。……2021/5/954我们经常听人说起诗歌的神奇影响力，这话一般而言浮泛而无意义，但用到弥尔顿身上却再贴切不过。他的诗歌效力有如经咒，优点不在表层的意思，而在一种神秘的魔力。也许第一眼看上去，那些文词平平常常，与其他任何词句并无不同。但它们都是有魔力的咒语，一旦从口唇呼出，过去便回到现在，远方则来至目前。从没有过的美在瞬息间诞生，记忆的坟场中的所有逝者都将还魂重生。改动一下句子的结构，或替换一个同义词，马上，所有神奇的效果烟消云散。咒语不灵了；无论是谁，想要一试魔法，都会发现自己与阿拉伯故事里的卡辛一样失败，站在那里徒劳地喊叫：‘小麦开门’，‘大麦开门’。正确的魔咒只有一个：‘芝麻开门’。…2021/5/955杨周翰弥尔顿的天才表现在善于描写宏伟寥廓，不善于描写细节，这和他目力不佳有关。弥尔顿的描写不具体，形象不鲜明……正是弥尔顿的长处，也是他意趣所在

2021/5/956

7.Milton’shandfulofsonnets1)18Englishand5Italiansonnets．2)Theyarecompact（文体简洁，紧凑）andwellorganized.3)Thelanguageissimpleandunadorned（不加修饰的）,butpowerful.2021/5/9571.Satanisthemostwell-developedcharacterinParadiseLost.Isheasympatheticcharacter?Examineoneofhissoliloquiesandidentifythecharactertraitsandpoetictechniquesthatmakehimseemappealingorforgivable.

2.TracetheappearanceofautobiographicaldetailsinParadiseLost.Howarethesedetailsimportanttothestory?Whatistheidentityandroleofthenarrator?3.TraditionalChristianbeliefholdsthattheSonandtheFatheraretwopartsofthesameGod,butMiltonpresentstheSonasafundamentallyseparateentityfromGodtheFather.HowdoesthisdistinctionaffecttheplotofParadiseLost?

8.StudyQuestions2021/5/9581.Miltonplacesgreatemphasisonman’sautonomousreasonandfreewill.DoAdamandEveshowevidenceofbeingruledbyreasonbeforethefall?2.ExaminethepassagesinwhichMiltondiscussesthenatureofwomenascomparedtomen.DoyouthinkitiscorrecttolabelMiltonamisogynist?3.ParadiseLostincludesmanycharacterswhocanbeeasilycomparedandcontrastedwitheachother.Forinstance,GodandSatanstandascompleteopposites;Satan,Sin,andDeathformanevilversionoftheHolyTrinity;AdamandEveseemtobefarfromequallymadeanddisposedforlifeinParadise;evenGodtheFatherandGodtheSonhavedifferences.Pickoneofthesepairsanddescribetheirdifferencesaswellastheirsimilarities.4.BasedonthetextofParadiseLost,howdoyouthinkMiltonwouldjustifyhisalterationsofandadditionstotheBible,giventhefactthathewasadevoutChristian?

8.SuggestedEssayTopics2021/5/959失乐园第一章大约九天九夜，那是根据人间的计算，他和他那一伙可怕的徒众，虽属不死之身，却与死者无异，沉沦辗转在烈火的深渊中；这个刑罚却反激起他更深的愤怒，既失去了幸福，又饱受无尽痛苦的折磨。当他抬起忧虑的双眼，环顾四周，伴随他的是莫大的隐忧和烦恼，交织着顽固的傲气和难消的仇恨。霎时间，他竭尽天使的目力，2021/5/960失乐园第一章望断天涯，但见悲风弥漫，缥纱无垠，可怕的地牢从四面八方围着他像一个洪炉的烈火四射，但那火焰只是朦朦胧胧的一片，并不发光，但能辨认出那儿的苦难情景，悲惨的境地和凄怆的暗影。和平和安息从不在此驻扎，希望无所不到，这里却是个例外。只有无穷无尽的苦难步步相跟永燃的硫磺不断地添注，不灭的火焰有如洪水向他们滚滚逼来。2021/5/961失乐园第一章正义之神为那些叛逆者准备的，正是这个地方。这个在天外的冥荒中为他们设置的牢狱。那个地方远离天神和天界的亮光，相当于天极到中心的三倍那么远。啊，这里和他所从坠落的地方简直有天壤之别呀！和他一起坠落的伙伴们淹没在烈火的洪流和旋风之中，他依稀可辨，在他近旁挣扎的，论权力和罪行都仅次于他的神魔，2021/5/962失乐园第一章后来在巴勒斯坦得知他名叫别西卜。这个在天上叫做撒旦的首要神敌，以豪壮的言语打破可怕的沉寂，这样向他的伙伴说道：“是你啊；这是何等的坠落！何等的变化呀！你原来住在光明的乐土，浑身披盖着无比的光辉，胜过群星的璀璨你曾和我结盟，同仇敌忾，搏击于光荣的大事业之中。现在，我们是从高高在上的天界上，2021/5/963失乐园第一章沉沦到了不可测的深渊呀！他握有雷霆，确实强大，谁知道这凶恶的武器竟威力无比呢？可是，那强有力的威力，那胜利者的狂暴，都不能叫我沮丧，或者叫我改变初衷，虽然外表的光环消失了，但不移的信念和岸然的骄矜决不转变；2021/5/964失乐园第一章武力的受损，激动了我，决心率领无数天军投入剧烈的战斗，和强权一决高低，他们都厌恶天神的统治而来拥护我，拼尽全力同至高的权力抗衡在天界疆场上做一次冒险的战斗，震撼了他的宝座。2021/5/965撒旦的誓言（第一章105－124行）我们损失了什么？并不是一无所剩：坚定的意志、热切的复仇心、不灭的憎恨，以及永不屈服、永不退让的勇气，难道还有比这些更难战胜的吗？我这份光荣绝不能被夺走，不管是他的暴怒，还是威力。经过这一次惨烈的战争，好容易才使他的政权动摇；若是这时还要卑躬屈膝，向他乞求哀怜，拜倒在他的权力之下，那才真正是卑鄙、可耻，比这次的沉沦还要卑贱。2021/5/966撒旦的誓言（第一章105－