| Description |
This project begins with the following question: what is the meaning of the word "glory" in Mil ton's Paradise Regained? In the poem, Satan accuses God of seeking "glory," and Jesus responds by defending God against Satan's charge. I believe this moment in the poem is crucial for an understanding of the poem as a whole. Many readers dismiss Jesus' response to Satan and feel that the devil is reasonable compared to the apparently cold and uninspiring Jesus. I argue that this reading is inadequate and submit that the words of Jesus effectively justify the motives of God. In Paradise Regained, the central problem for readers is the unique characterization of Jesus. Milton represents the Son of God as a hero of the mind who defeats Satan through perfect patience, obedience, and self-mastery. This depiction is difficult for many readers to understand, especially modern readers, and it makes the arguments of Satan seem reasonable in contrast to Jesus' speeches. While carrying out research for this paper, I read a number of critical works on Milton, and the book Surprised by Sin, by Stanley Fish, was especially significant in shaping my argument. Fish contends that Milton aims for his readers to struggle with the appeal of Satan in Paradise Lost, and I believe the same argument applies to the problem of the portrayal of Jesus in Paradise Regained In this paper I argue that Milton intends his readers to side momentarily with the arguments of Satan against Jesus, and then aims that the reader re-think and re-read to understand an underlying moral truth. This pattern of instruction applies ii especially to the segment of the poem concerned with the meaning of the word "glory." I contend that Milton represents a kind of "glory" which is difficult for readers to interpret. and which differs significantly from the Classical epic model of "glory." To set up this argument. I discuss issues of genre. rhetorical purpose. metaphoric representations of divine subject matter. and pre-existing notions of "glory" that contribute to Milton's depiction. I conclude in this paper that Milton's "glory" is a genuine praise and thanks given freely to a being following acts of intrinsic worth which were performed simply for the good that comes from them. Further. Milton represents "glory" in this manner because he hopes to convert his readers to a spiritually mature feeling of sincere gratitude for the peaceful works of God's creation. |
