World Literature
Summer Writing
Assignment
For John Milton’s “
(One typed page per question)
Book 1
Satan is often seen as an attractive character in Paradise Lost. In what
way could he be perceived as attractive? Discuss
Book 2
Satan volunteers to go on a journey that entails innumerable hazards. What can
he hope to gain from this supposed act of self-sacrifice? How is this act
typical of his character? Why does he choose to go alone? Why would another
volunteer spoil his plan? Give examples from the poem to support your view.
Book 3
The Son offers to go down to Earth to die for Man’s sin. Compare and contrast this with the call for volunteers in the infernal consultation in Hell. How do Satan and the Son compare as volunteers in a dangerous mission? Contrast their motives. What do each of them hope to gain? Do each of them offer hope? Support your argument with examples from the poem.
Book 4
God forbade Adam and Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Explain the symbolism inherent in God’s prohibition. What would happen if they ate the fruit? How would it make them Equal with God? Give examples from the poem to support your argument.
Book 5
Eve’s dream can be seen as a foreshadowing of the fate of mankind. Compare her dream to the temptation and fall in Book IX. What is the symbolism in her temptation to become a goddess. In what way is her flight through the air symbolic of her exalted state of mind after she indulges in the forbidden act? How does she feel about her act of sin when she is awakened by Adam? How does Adam comfort her? Cite examples from the poem to support your argument.
Book 6
Satan proposes the idea of freedom in Book VI. Discuss the reason why he does
not live up to his noble idea. Does he think freedom and equality should be
given to everyone? Whose power does he intend to usurp in the name of freedom?
Why does Abdiel accuse him of lacking freedom? Cite
examples from the poem to prove your point.
Book 7
1. When the Son reaches the gates of Heaven, he hears melodious music
and sees the beauty of its golden hinges. Contrast this image to that of the
gates of Hell in Book II. Explain the symbolism inherent in these images. What
does the music symbolize? What do the golden hinges symbolize? In what way are
the grating hinges of the gates of Hell symbolic of Satan’s fall? Cite examples
from the poem to support your answer.
Book 8
Adam and the sun have somewhat of a symbiotic relationship. Describe their
mutual give and take in the first moments of Adam’s life. What does the sun do
for Adam? What does Adam provide for the sun? Why does he personify the sun and
call on him before the other elements of nature? Give examples from the poem to
support your argument.
Book 9
Images of light and darkness represent contrasts of good and
evil in Book IX. Describe Satan in his world of evil. How are the images of
darkness symbolic of Satan’s travels for the past seven days? Explain the
images of darkness. Explain the images of light in
Book 10
In his soliloquy Adam struggles with his doubts about death. Compare his fears to those of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in his famous soliloquy beginning “To be or not to be.” What do both Adam and Hamlet have in common concerning death? Is the mystery of death unique only to them? In what way is it a universally human mystery? How does Adam resolve his problem? Use examples from the epic to support your view.
Book 11
It has been suggested that Books XI and XII are unnecessary
to the structure of Paradise Lost. Explain the function of Book XI. How
can it be seen as an integral part of the theme? In what way does it contribute
to the characterization of Adam? How does it help us to understand Adam’s
development? How does it prepare Adam for his expulsion from
Book 12
Adam feels that his fall has created an even better