For instance, an essay on a poem might be divided into paragraphs on rhythm, meter, imagery, etc. ... A discussion of Milton's note on the versification of Paradise Lost might point to his apparent dislike of "the jingling sound of like endings" (255). ... For instance, you might mention that in Paradise Lost Milton invokes the Muse to help him "assert Eternal Providence, / And justify the ways of God to men" (25-26). ... Milton is too easy for this, but Irving Layton provides a good example: And me happiest when I compose poems. Love, power, the huzza of battle are s...

• Word Count: 1737
• Approx Pages: 7
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

This is exactly the case with John Milton's Satan from his poem Paradise Lost. ... What though the field be lost? ... He knows that the field is lost, and that he cannot win, but with his unconquerable will and his courage he finds the power to fight on. ... When he realizes that the fight has been lost, while he does decided to fight on, he decides to fight through underhanded trickery and deceit. ... (Rajan, 95) The power that his heroism could possess is soon lost because of its devotion to evil. ...

• Word Count: 2236
• Approx Pages: 9
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

That said, modern readers of Milton's Paradise Lost may be inclined to observe Satan's government in Hell as ideal - everyone has an opportunity to speak his piece, and votes are taken when decisions are called for. ... However, twentieth century wisdom does not apply to Paradise Lost, as Milton takes great pains to associate God's council with holiness, and Satan's with wickedness. ... In it, he makes the transition from "utter and middle darkness of Chaos and eternal Night- to the "holy light- and "Eternal coeternal beam- (Paradise Lost, Book III). ...

• Word Count: 2027
• Approx Pages: 8