Literature CS 110, Section 1: Milton

Instructor: James Donelan 
Enroll Code: 27938
Time: Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 am - 11:00 am
Place: CCS Room 143

Description: We will study the poetry and prose of John Milton, one of three canonical writers the Literature Program considers essential, paying particular attention to Paradise Lost. We will juxtapose close readings of the primary texts with readings by major critics in order to find out why Milton is so important, and how he continues to be important to us, as readers, as writers, and as conscious citizens of the modern world.

Texts:
Milton, J. The Complete Poetry and Essential Prose of John Milton
A selection of Milton scholarship will be on reserve at Davidson Library.

Requirements:
The course requires regular attendance, active participation in class discussion and activities, and timely completion of all assignments. All assignments must be completed by the end of the quarter for full credit. They include:

· A short (1500-word) close reading essay

· A brief (1200-word) bibliographical report on scholarship related to your final project

· A short oral presentation summarizing your bibliographical report

· A long (3600-word) scholarly essay, with a prospectus, outline, and draft due in advance (see syllabus for details)

In addition, please note:

• Every written assignment should be carefully edited and proofread.
• Your classmates and your instructor depend on your full participation.
• Late or missing assignments will result in failure of the course.
• No more than one unexcused absence is permitted.
• Students with disabilities may contact me via email, during office hours, or after class to discuss special accommodations.

Syllabus

I. Early Works and Close Reading

1/4       Introduction: Milton’s Life, Works, and Significance
1/7       “On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity,” 18; “On Shakespeare,” 34

1/11     “L ‘Allegro” and “Il Penseroso,” 41
1/13     Sonnets 1-23, 139

1/18     “Lycidas,” 99; “A Masque” (Comus) 61
1/20     Comus, continued, “Of Education,” 967 Close Reading Essay Due

II. Paradise Lost, Major Prose, and Milton Scholarship

1/25     Selections from Tenure of Kings, 1021
1/27     Introduction to PL; PL I, 251

2/1       PL II and III, 283
2/3       PL IV and V, 384

2/8       PL VI and VII, 445
2/10     PL VIII and IX, 497

2/15     PL X and XI, 585
2/17     PL XII, 611

2/22     Selections from Eikonoklastes, 1057; Bibliographical Reports, First Group
2/24     Selections from Second Defense, 1069; Bibliographical Reports, Second Group

III. Late Works and Final Projects

3/1       Paradise Regained, Introduction, I, and II, 635
3/3       Paradise Regained, III and IV, 664

3/8       Samson Agonistes, 699
3/10     Conclusions and Project Discussion

3/16 Final Project Due