Spokesperson Milton: Voices in Contemporary Criticism

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Charles W. Durham, Kristin Pruitt McColgan
Susquehanna University Press, 1994 - Literary Criticism - 284 pages
In part II the authors address and interpret religious themes in Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. The essays in part III suggest the extent to which politics inform Milton's poetry and contribute to the shaping of his prose, and they consider the effect of those political views on Milton's contemporaries and on later generations of readers. Part IV investigates ways in which Milton establishes his own authority within texts and encourages readers to choose between conflicting models of authority. Milton's adaptation of traditional literary motifs and forms is addressed in part V, and part VI explores issues of gender and hierarchy in light of Milton's portrayals of the relationships between Adam and Eve in Paradise Lost and Samson and Dalila in Samson Agonistes.

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Contents

Spokesperson Milton
5
Spokesperson for Theological and Spiritual Concerns
19
Symbol of Sin
21
Satan and the Critique of Meliorism Paradise Lost Book 2
31
Faith in the Theodicy of Paradise Lost
47
Apocalyptic Combat in Paradise Regained
57
Spokesperson for Political Views
69
Reading Miltons At a Solemn Music
71
The Creative Self and the Self Created in Paradise Lost
153
Interpretation of Events in Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes
165
Authorial Providence and the Dramatic Form of Samson Agonistes
179
Spokesperson for Tradition and Change
191
Miltons ReFormation of the Masque
193
Miltons Vergilian Epigraphs of 1637 and 1645
206
The Topos of Art and Nature in Paradise Regained
217
Spokesperson for Women
229

The Failure of Argument and the Role of Dialogics in Eikonoklastes
87
Miltons State Letters to France
101
Miltons Reinterpretation of the Organic Analogy in Paradise Lost
113
Arnolds 1888 Address
126
Spokesperson for Authority of Author and of Text
139
Inspiration and Speech Acts in Miltons Prose
141
Eves RapportTalk
249
Womens Heroism in the Bible and Dalilas SelfDefense
260
Contributors
275
Index
279
Copyright

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Page 75 - The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me ; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek ; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound ; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord...
Page 60 - And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. And they •worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast ? who is able to make war with him?
Page 49 - O goodness infinite, goodness immense ! That all this good of evil shall produce, And evil turn to good ; more wonderful Than that which by creation first brought forth Light out of darkness ! Full of doubt I stand, Whether I should repent me now of sin By me done, and occasion'd, or rejoice Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring ; To God more glory, more good-will to men From God, and over wrath grace shall abound.
Page 120 - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name : 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Page 130 - Memory and her siren daughters ; but by devout prayer to that Eternal Spirit who can enrich with all utterance and knowledge, and sends out his seraphim with the hallowed fire of his altar to touch and purify the lips of whom He pleases.
Page 63 - Wise men have said are wearisome; who reads Incessantly, and to his reading brings not A spirit and judgment equal or superior (And what he brings, what needs he elsewhere seek) Uncertain and unsettled still remains, Deep versed in books and shallow in himself, Crude or intoxicate, collecting toys, And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge; As children gathering pebbles on the shore.
Page 52 - And all the rule, one empire: only add Deeds to thy knowledge answerable; add faith, Add virtue, patience, temperance; add love, By name to come call'd charity, the soul Of all the rest: then wilt thou not be loath To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A paradise within thee, happier far.
Page 21 - The fig-tree, not that kind for fruit renown'd, But such as, at this day, to Indians known; In Malabar or Decan spreads her arms, Branching so broad and long, that in the ground The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade, High overarch'd, and echoing walks between...
Page 117 - Hear all ye Angels, Progeny of Light, Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers, Hear my Decree, which unrevok't shall stand. This day I have begot whom I declare My only Son, and on this holy Hill Him have anointed, whom ye now behold At my right hand; your Head I him appoint; And by my Self have sworn to him shall bow All knees in Heav'n, and shall confess him Lord...
Page 187 - All is best, though we oft doubt, What the unsearchable dispose Of highest wisdom brings about, And ever best found in the close.

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