I have watched a couple of your lectures on Paradise Lost Book 1 to really get a grasp on Milton's writing style and to gain a better understanding before taking on the entire novel. Your lectures are amazing, I am hanging on to every word and can see the passion you have for the subject. You have inspired me to continue my reading of Paradise Lost, to re-read the bible in a new version, and take on The Divine Comedy at some point. Thank you so much for being an amazing resource to literature students and those interested in literary studies! You have made a difficult work more accessible to readers who would have previously been intimidated.
Can you please provide a bit of textual justification for the assertion about the fallen angels following Satan out of fear? I didnt find that when reading the text..I always thought satan's relation with the fallen angels was one of deceiver and deceived.. Also, it seemed like you condone the idea that God cannot be a tyrannt simply because he created us and we are his. I understand that is Milton's idea but felt like you are agreeing. I wish the lecture would have gone deeper into the romantic reading of paradise lost that discusses the republicanism of satan snd the tyranny of god more and not constantly dismiss it.
There are many reasons given in the text for the rebel angels following Satan. I will teach a course on Milton again next semester, but I believe the reference to fear may have been in Book 6. Remember, in terms of chronology, books 5-8 handle heaven and cosmology, which precedes the creation of the earth (and Hell).
Corrections: Greco-Persian wars were fought between 492 and 449 BCE. Islam was founded in the 7th century CE--almost 1200 years before the wars! So you see, Persians were Zoroastrians, not Moslems as it's implied in this lecture. Persians were expanding their empire when they tried to conquer the Greeks (not the Greeks fighting to expand human rights). At the time, slavery was widespread in the Greco world, and there were no slaves in the Persian Empire. "The Cyrus Cylinder, often referred to as the "first declaration of human rights," dates back to the 6th century BCE, during the reign of Cyrus the Great, who founded the Achaemenian Persian Empire. This artifact...records Cyrus's conquest of Babylon in 539 BCE and his subsequent policies, which included the repatriation of displaced peoples and the restoration of temples. Cyrus's approach to governance, characterized by tolerance and respect for local customs and religions, had a significant impact on his empire and influenced subsequent civilizations. His policies are noted for their emphasis on human rights and cultural diversity, setting a precedent for future rulers." Quoted from Britannica Encyclopaedia. One more thing, the Second Temple in Jerusalem was ordered to be rebuild by Cyrus the Great.
From the Greek perspective, the Persians were characterized by tyranny. They were tolerant, as you say, but they did not recognize the freedom of the individual. You are missing the point I am making. And Zoroastrians are dualists, like the Manichaeans that Augustine strongly opposed.
GOLD MINE! I'm currently re-reading Paradise Lost, and you know Dr. Masson is doing top notch exegesis and analysis!
I thank you Dr. Scott for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you Dr Masson
Best lecture of Paradise Lost I've found so far. Thank you!
That children doing horrible things comment felt like it came from somewhere very personal... I hope u r doing alright! Love.
I have watched a couple of your lectures on Paradise Lost Book 1 to really get a grasp on Milton's writing style and to gain a better understanding before taking on the entire novel. Your lectures are amazing, I am hanging on to every word and can see the passion you have for the subject. You have inspired me to continue my reading of Paradise Lost, to re-read the bible in a new version, and take on The Divine Comedy at some point. Thank you so much for being an amazing resource to literature students and those interested in literary studies! You have made a difficult work more accessible to readers who would have previously been intimidated.
Glad to hear that. I know you will benefit. I do recommend reading it out loud.
Wonderful. In depth.
Can you please provide a bit of textual justification for the assertion about the fallen angels following Satan out of fear? I didnt find that when reading the text..I always thought satan's relation with the fallen angels was one of deceiver and deceived..
Also, it seemed like you condone the idea that God cannot be a tyrannt simply because he created us and we are his. I understand that is Milton's idea but felt like you are agreeing. I wish the lecture would have gone deeper into the romantic reading of paradise lost that discusses the republicanism of satan snd the tyranny of god more and not constantly dismiss it.
There are many reasons given in the text for the rebel angels following Satan.
I will teach a course on Milton again next semester, but I believe the reference to fear may have been in Book 6. Remember, in terms of chronology, books 5-8 handle heaven and cosmology, which precedes the creation of the earth (and Hell).
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Corrections: Greco-Persian wars were fought between 492 and 449 BCE. Islam was founded in the 7th century CE--almost 1200 years before the wars! So you see, Persians were Zoroastrians, not Moslems as it's implied in this lecture. Persians were expanding their empire when they tried to conquer the Greeks (not the Greeks fighting to expand human rights). At the time, slavery was widespread in the Greco world, and there were no slaves in the Persian Empire. "The Cyrus Cylinder, often referred to as the "first declaration of human rights," dates back to the 6th century BCE, during the reign of Cyrus the Great, who founded the Achaemenian Persian Empire. This artifact...records Cyrus's conquest of Babylon in 539 BCE and his subsequent policies, which included the repatriation of displaced peoples and the restoration of temples. Cyrus's approach to governance, characterized by tolerance and respect for local customs and religions, had a significant impact on his empire and influenced subsequent civilizations. His policies are noted for their emphasis on human rights and cultural diversity, setting a precedent for future rulers." Quoted from Britannica Encyclopaedia. One more thing, the Second Temple in Jerusalem was ordered to be rebuild by Cyrus the Great.
From the Greek perspective, the Persians were characterized by tyranny. They were tolerant, as you say, but they did not recognize the freedom of the individual.
You are missing the point I am making. And Zoroastrians are dualists, like the Manichaeans that Augustine strongly opposed.