John_Milton(弥尔顿) 英国文学.pptVIP

overview The majority of the poem was written while Milton was blind, and was transcribed for him. Considered by many scholars to be one of the greatest poems of the English language. It is renowned〔享有声誉的〕 for its intricate〔错综复杂的〕 and contradictory composition based on the biblical legend of the imaginary progenitors〔祖先〕 of the human race — Adam and Eve, and involves God and his eternal adversary〔对手〕 Satan in its plot. 最新.课件 * 精选文档 Story Paradise Lost is about Adam and Eve--how they came to be created and how they came to lose their place in the Garden of Eden, also called Paradise. It’s the same story you find in the first pages of Genesis〔?创世纪?〕, expanded by Milton into a very long, detailed, narrative poem. It also includes the story of the origin of Satan. Originally he was called Lucifer, an angel in heaven who led his followers in a war against God, and was ultimately sent with them to hell. Thirst for revenge led him to cause man’s downfall by turning into a serpent(蛇) and tempting Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. 最新.课件 * 精选文档 God selfish, seated upon a throne with a chorus of angels about him eternally singing his praises. He is cruel and unjust in punishing Satan. His angels are silly, who never think of expressing any opinions of their own. This resembles the court of an absolute monarch. AdamEve Embody Milton’s belief in the powers of man, craving for knowledge, denied by God, opens a wide road to intelligent and active life. Main characters 最新.课件 * 精选文档 Santa He is the real hero of the poem. He prefers independence to happy servility, he is the spirit questioning the authority of God, which represents the proud and somber〔昏暗的〕 political passions of the persecuted Republicans after Restoration. He remains obeyed and admired by those who follow him down to hell. He is feebler〔虚弱无力的〕 in force, superior in nobleness, since he prefers independence to happy servility. He questions the authority of God. He can see no reason why Adam and