Milton: Paradise Lost 'Our inner freedom'

'Paradise Lost' excites fascination and controversy, confronting the existence of evil in a divinely ordained world. We shall consider a representative selection of crucial passages to illuminate the practical contemporary significance of this work.

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Key course information

Date
23/10/11

Day(s)
Sun

Duration
1 week

Time
10:30 - 16:30

Fees
Full fee: £47^NC

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
HLT53

Availability
This course has finished

^NC: No concessionary fees available as there is no government funding for this course.

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
humanities@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2652

Course outline

What is the course about?

Paradise Lost continues to excite fascination and controversy, confronting as it does the existence of evil in a divinely ordained world. In the process, Milton sought boldly ‘to justify the ways of God to man’, and while insisting on humans’ ‘inner freedom’, he created in Satan a complex and arguably attractive figure. We shall read and discuss a representative selection of crucial passages, and consider how Milton’s cosmic drama can illuminate our own experience and aspirations.

What topics will we cover?

We shall study Milton’s presentation of creation, of good and evil, freedom and enslavement. The ‘characters’ of Adam and Eve and Satan will be central to our discussion, as will Milton’s evocation of the ‘Fall’ and the events and decisions leading up to it, as well as its consequences. We shall also reflect on the qualities of Milton’s poetry – the means by which his art seeks to meet the challenge he had set himself in undertaking such a potentially intimidating enterprise.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

Demonstrate insight into how Milton seeks to reconcile a belief in divine good will with the prospect of a ‘fallen’ world.
Appreciate the dramatic power and psychological subtleties of the poem, and the distinctive features of its style.
Identify how aspects of Milton’s life and times influenced the composition of Paradise Lost.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

No particular prior knowledge will be assumed, but you will need to feel enthusiastic about the prospect of reading and discussing Paradise Lost. Learners will, ideally, need the following skills and attributes:
An enthusiasm for reading and discussing a range of texts in large and small groups.
An interest in, and ability to listen to, the responses of other students to the work discussed.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Tutor explanation and group discussion.

The Tutor
Peter Brennan is a poet, and was for many years Head of English at The Latymer School, Edmonton. He founded Visionary Company courses in 2005, and is Editor-in-Chief of Perdika Press.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

No. You will be provided with photocopies of the extracts to be studied. If you wish to bring a copy of Paradise Lost, that would be fine – but it is not essential. Please bring a pen and paper.

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2652

humanities@citylit.ac.uk

Advice times:

During term-time Monday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30 and 17.30–18.30

Non term-time Monday 17.30–18.30 Thursday 12.30–13.30.

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.