Hi Adam, I want to thank you so very much for providing the uploads to your course on Milton to those of us who cannot join in ‘real time’. But the time I spend on Thursday mornings with your course is ‘real’ to me and I greatly appreciate it. Overall, your entire channel is a gem... Cheers 💖!
We did Paradise Lost in our third year of Uni, I could have used your take on it! You are really good! This was the only text in my 3 years of Literature degree that I had struggled with!
So, I asked ChatGPT to create a dialogue between Dante and Milton over their portrayal of Hell, but it was predictable. My second prompt was for Milton to prepare a defense against the Spanish Inquisition based on three parameters. I think the results were fairly interesting. Esteemed Inquisitors, I stand before you, not as a heretic, but as a seeker of truth and a voice of reason. Your accusations weigh heavily upon me-charges of heresy for my theological views, for my sympathies towards Satan, and for my steadfast commitment to republicanism. Allow me to address each of these points with clarity and conviction. Firstly, regarding my theological beliefs, I contend that the essence of faith lies not in blind adherence but in the rigorous pursuit of understanding. In Paradise Lost, I sought to explore the complexities of divine justice and free will, illuminating the moral choices faced by humanity. The character of Satan is not an endorsement of evil; rather, he embodies the profound struggle for autonomy and the human condition itself. It is through his rebellion that I illustrate the peril of tyranny-be it celestial or terrestrial. To empathize with such a character is not to condone his actions, but to recognize the weight of our own choices. Your concern over my sympathies for Satan reveals a misunderstanding of my intent. I present not a champion of rebellion, but a tragic figure-a cautionary tale of ambition unchecked by virtue. My goal is to evoke reflection on the nature of freedom, the burdens of power, and the moral dilemmas we face. In a world where tyranny reigns, I challenge you: is it not the duty of every individual to question authority, even that of the divine? Now, regarding my republicanism, I assert that a government must reflect the will of the people and uphold their rights. My belief in the sovereignty of the individual is not a rejection of God’s order but an affirmation of the divine gift of reason. In a time where oppression cloaks itself in the guise of divine right, I advocate for a society founded on justice and mutual respect. To advocate for a republic is to align with the very principles of liberty that the Gospel espouses. In conclusion, I urge you to reconsider your stance. My writings are not heretical but rather a testament to the power of inquiry and the pursuit of a more profound understanding of our existence. Let us engage in dialogue, not persecution, for it is through discourse that we may uncover greater truths and foster a world that reflects our highest ideals. Thank you.
11:58 it seems like we're used to stress the last words of a verse, but the first word of a verse, specially after enjanbement, is as important (and Milton knew that, it's all over the rhyme-less latin poetry).
Hi Adam, I want to thank you so very much for providing the uploads to your course on Milton to those of us who cannot join in ‘real time’. But the time I spend on Thursday mornings with your course is ‘real’ to me and I greatly appreciate it. Overall, your entire channel is a gem... Cheers 💖!
Thank you so much! I hope you can join me in real time for one of these sometime soon.
We did Paradise Lost in our third year of Uni, I could have used your take on it! You are really good! This was the only text in my 3 years of Literature degree that I had struggled with!
I would love a lecture expanding on Pound's criticisms of Milton
So, I asked ChatGPT to create a dialogue between Dante and Milton over their portrayal of Hell, but it was predictable. My second prompt was for Milton to prepare a defense against the Spanish Inquisition based on three parameters. I think the results were fairly interesting.
Esteemed Inquisitors,
I stand before you, not as a heretic, but as a seeker of truth and a voice of reason. Your accusations weigh heavily upon me-charges of heresy for my theological views, for my sympathies towards Satan, and for my steadfast commitment to republicanism. Allow me to address each of these points with clarity and conviction.
Firstly, regarding my theological beliefs, I contend that the essence of faith lies not in blind adherence but in the rigorous pursuit of understanding. In Paradise Lost, I sought to explore the complexities of divine justice and free will, illuminating the moral choices faced by humanity. The character of Satan is not an endorsement of evil; rather, he embodies the profound struggle for autonomy and the human condition itself. It is through his rebellion that I illustrate the peril of tyranny-be it celestial or terrestrial. To empathize with such a character is not to condone his actions, but to recognize the weight of our own choices.
Your concern over my sympathies for Satan reveals a misunderstanding of my intent. I present not a champion of rebellion, but a tragic figure-a cautionary tale of ambition unchecked by virtue. My goal is to evoke reflection on the nature of freedom, the burdens of power, and the moral dilemmas we face. In a world where tyranny reigns, I challenge you: is it not the duty of every individual to question authority, even that of the divine?
Now, regarding my republicanism, I assert that a government must reflect the will of the people and uphold their rights. My belief in the sovereignty of the individual is not a rejection of God’s order but an affirmation of the divine gift of reason. In a time where oppression cloaks itself in the guise of divine right, I advocate for a society founded on justice and mutual respect. To advocate for a republic is to align with the very principles of liberty that the Gospel espouses.
In conclusion, I urge you to reconsider your stance. My writings are not heretical but rather a testament to the power of inquiry and the pursuit of a more profound understanding of our existence. Let us engage in dialogue, not persecution, for it is through discourse that we may uncover greater truths and foster a world that reflects our highest ideals.
Thank you.
11:58 it seems like we're used to stress the last words of a verse, but the first word of a verse, specially after enjanbement, is as important (and Milton knew that, it's all over the rhyme-less latin poetry).
Great point!
I spent around two weeks to finish Book one in slow reading. Is it normal? I hope I'm not taking it too slow.