Background to Paradise Lost

John Milton had an unusual upbringing. He

• Traveled the world and married a 16-year-old.
• Was required to become priest.
• Studied some languages and then went to work.
• Chose to study completely on his own and did not go to college.

John Milton went on to become very involved in politics. He 

• Dedicated his life to fighting for the King.
• Dedicated his life to fighting the King. 
• Wrote a pamphlet supporting censorship.
• Wrote many pamphlets supporting the monarchy.

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John Milton proved his loyalty to the Commonwealth by

• Refusing to bow to the King.
• Becoming a spy for Oliver Cromwell.
• Burning down Buckingham Palace.
• Working for the Commonwealth.

Milton was fairly successful, but then his life took a turn for the worse by

• Losing several bets and lots of money.
• Being arrested as a traitor and losing his eyesight.
• Being arrested for spying.
• Losing his wife and family.

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Paradise Lost was written by Milton at a time in his life that

• Was full of loss and unhappiness.

• Reflected his wealth and popularity with the King.

• Reflected the Commonwealth and its popularity.

• Was fun and rewarding.

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What was the real reason for Milton writing Paradise Lost?

• Adam and Eve and their expulsion from Eden.

• A militarist (pro-war/hawk) mentality.

• The ongoing war in Europe.

• Milton's stance on the European Wars.

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Instead of writing "war is ____ ", Milton chose to do what?

• Read and write about Scripture.
• Use the Bible and its stories to reflect his thoughts about the war.
• Just write about angels and their goodness.
• He was uninterested and afraid of the war.

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The Puritans, our American ancestors, were known for what?

• Their lack of interest in politics.
• Their use of the Bible in all aspects of their lives, including school.
• Their anti-war (dove) stance on the wars.
• Their lack of morals.

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The story of God vs. Lucifer is:

• God gets beaten up pretty badly.
• God doesn't fight fair.
• Lucifer is beaten badly and thrown out of Heaven.
• Lucifer begs God to forgive him.

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The reason we are reading this?

• To teach you about a classic Anti-hero.

• To teach you about Paradise.

• To entertain you and make you laugh.

• To teach you the Bible.

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