John Milton汇.pptVIP

Sonnet: To Cyriack Skinner General introduction Annotations Translation Paradise Lost Introduction Translation Introduction to this sonnet The sonnet is addressed to Cyriack Skinner, one of Milton’s best friend. Milton writes 2 sonnets to Skinner. This is the second one. The sonnet is written when Milton becomes totally blind. He tells his friends about his sufferings from blindness. At the same time, he declares resolution to work on for the revolution. Annotations My friend, it is three years since I became blind. My eyes seem to be as clear as before, but their eyesight has been lost. Now I fail to see everything: the sun, the moon, the star and so on. I do not complain. I’m still working hard. You may ask why. Now I’ll tell you the reason. Annotations 2 It is my desire for liberty that has made me overworked and blind. And it is the same desire that endows me with great courage. I know I’m working for a noble task, which will make the whole Europe change. The world is dark. In the darkness, only the blind can “see” and serve as the best guide. Introduction Milton says that the aim of his Paradise Lost is to “justify the ways of God to man”. But as a matter of fact, he is exposing God’s tyranny and singing praise of Satan’s revolt against the unjust God. The extract (pp.139-140) is the most widely read part. It contains Satan’s most powerful speech about his unconquerable will his resolution to carry on the struggle.. * * Acculturation of Sonnet in England Sonnet originated in Italy. It was introduced into England by Thomas Wyatt during the English Renaissance. Philip Sidney popularized it with his sonnet sequence Astrophel and Stella. Shakespeare and Milton also wrote sonnets, though their reputation lay in other genres (drama epic). 致斯金纳 西里克，三年来我这眼睛全失了神， 它尽管外表上没有斑点，没有污垢， 被剥夺了光，已忘掉了看．一年劲头 这废眼珠里再没出现过日月星辰， 再没出现过一个男人或一个女人? 可我只坚定、忍耐，向前行。 没有抗议， 没有反对上帝的手或苍天的旨意， 也绝对没有让我的希望减少半分 心，退缩一寸。什么在支持我，你要问? 良心！朋友，意识到：是为了捍卫自由 我才用力过度而永远失去了它们! 我这神圣的使命现已传遍了全欧洲。 这认识会带我——若无更好的带路