106-464 Cosmic Pandemonium in Paradise Lost

Usually admission to the postgraduate diploma or honours in English Literary Studies

This subject explores the great revolutions of the English seventeenth century through the prism of John Milton's epic Paradise Lost(1667, 1674). Weekly seminars will offer a close reading of each of the 12 books of the poem in the context of significant political, economic, theological and epistemological breaks exemplified by the English Revolution of 1642. These include the expansion and diversification of radical Protestant and Puritan religious sects; experiments with new forms of government such as the republic and constitutional monarchy; the origins of modern science and technology with Bacon, Galileo and Descartes; transformations in sexual and familial relationships; the development and regulation of new forms of print culture; and the founding of institutions like the Royal Society of London for the Improving of Natural Knowledge (1662). Topics to be covered will include: genre, theology, sex, politics, militarism, education, science, censorship, architecture and aesthetics.

• be able to apply new research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;

• have developed critical self-awareness and shape and strengthen persuasive arguments;

• be able to communicate arguments and ideas effectively and articulately, both in writing and to others.

An essay of 5000 words for 4th year students or 6000 words for masters students 100% (due in the examination period).

A subject reader containing contextual and critical material will be available from the University Bookshop.

• S Orgel and J Goldberg, eds., John Milton. Oxford.