English Literature in 17C 英国17世纪文学史.pptVIP

English Literature in 17C 1. Historical background (1) Absolute monarchy impeded the further development of capitalism in England. (2) The bourgeoisie could no longer bear the sway of landed nobility. (4) The effects of the revolution A. the supremacy of Parliament B. the beginning of modern England C. the final triumph of the principle of political liberty John Milton(1608-1674) He was a great epic poet. he defended the revolutionary with his pen in his whole life.Especially in his later life, although he was blind and living in dire poverty, he redoubled his efforts to denounce the restored monarch. His most famous works Paradise Lost --1665 Paradise Regained--1667 Samson Agonistes(tragedy)--1671 Paradise Lost Paradise Lost The epic tells how Adam and Eve, are tempted by Satan(the serpent) to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge and how they are consequently punished by God and driven out of the garden of Eden(the paradise) with the prospect of redemption of mankind by Jesus Christ, the son of God. Some details about Paradise Lost Milton’s purpose for writing Paradise Lost, as he puts it very clearly at the beginning of the poem, is to “assert eternal Providence and justify the ways of God to man”. However, the role of Satan is really successful in fact, also the character of Satan is the most contraversial. Let us figure it out. Satan’s Speech “ What though the field be lost? All is not lost: the unconquerable will and study of revenge, immortal hate, and courage never to submit or yield: and what is else not to be overcome? That glory never shall his wrath or might extort for me.……” (选读，P167页) Thirst for freedom Satan :He wants to know something about the Tree of Knowledge reflects that he longs for knowledge. He also wants to obtain the freedom. Adam Eve :Adam