444: Milton Spring 2003
A survey of Milton's poetry, with particular attention to Paradise Lost
and Samson Agonistes. We'll read most of Milton's English poetry as well
as the Areopagitica and selections from On Christian Doctrine.
Class meetings will focus on important early poems--The Nativity Ode, L'Allegro
and Il Penseroso, Comus, Lycidas, and selected sonnets--as
well as on the major works. (About half the semester will be devoted to Paradise
Lost.) Occasional lectures and frequent discussion. Four essays of
increasing length, culminating in a 10-15 page term paper. A midterm and a final
examination.