ENGL 3134
TEXT:
MILTON AND REBELLION
SPRING 2012
The Complete Poetry and Essential Prose of John Milton, ed. Kerrigan et al. (Random House)
Week of:
Jan 19
“On the Morning of Christ’s Nativity”; “Upon the Circumcision”; Sonnet 7 (“How soon hath Time”);
“L’Allegro” and “Il Penseroso”; Arcades; Comus
Jan 24
Lycidas; Of Reformation (selections, pp. 807–15); The Reason of Church Government (selection, 835–44);
An Apology for Smectymnuus (selection, 849–52); “On the New Forcers of Conscience” (164–65)
Feb
Paradise Lost, Books 1–3
7
Feb 14
The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce (selections, 853–69); Tetrachordon (selections); Sonnet 11 (“A
book was writ of late”); Sonnet 12 (“I did but prompt the age”); PL 4.610–775
Feb 21
PL, Books 4–6; review temperance theme in Comus and in Areopagitica (941–45)
Feb 28
Areopagitica; Of Education
Mar
PL, Books 7–9
6
BREAK, March 12–16 (finish Paradise Lost). Hand in QUIZ (500 words) on politics in PL, Tuesday 20 March
Mar 20
Marvell’s Cromwell Ode (handout); Sonnet 15 (to Fairfax); Sonnet 16 (to Cromwell); Sonnet 19 (“When I
consider”); Sonnet 18 (“Avenge O Lord”); Sonnet 22 (“Cyriack, this three years’ day”); Sonnet 23
(“Methought I saw”); Second Defense (selections, 1094–96, 1099–1103); begin The Tenure of Kings and
Magistrates (1025–34)
Mar 27
TKM (finish selections, 1034–55); Eikonoklastes (selections, 1057–68)
Apr
The Ready and Easy Way to Establish a Free Commonwealth
3
Apr 10
Paradise Regained
Apr 17 Samson Agonistes
Apr 26
FIRST DRAFT TERM PAPER (2000–2500 words) due in class
May 1, 3 REPORTS ON PAPER TOPICS. Attendance mandatory to get full credit for participation.
REVISED TERM PAPER due Thursday 10 May in Lind 310c
Milton’s three great Restoration poems—Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, and Samson Agonistes—are the focus of
this course. We’ll approach them from the standpoint of the religious and social ideas that Milton expressed in his
poetry before 1645 as well as in his more public, prose writings throughout the Interregnum (1642–1660). We’ll
simultaneously complete, by the end of the spring break, a first reading of Paradise Lost. Discussing Milton’s pre-1660
works should equip us to interpret his three Restoration masterpieces in the light of his aim to bring about reform in
England’s civil and religious community. For the term paper, you’ll choose a topic relating PL or PR or SA to Milton’s
pre-Restoration career and writings.
Every Tuesday, starting 24 January, you’ll have a quiz in class (or you’ll hand in a short paper) on a topic assigned
online the preceding Friday. Your scores on these quizzes and papers will count 45% towards your grade in the course.
The term paper will be worth another 35%–45% of your course grade and the remaining 10%–20% will be based on
your class participation, including your submitting a full, first draft on time. For an updated syllabus, go to
http://www.tc.umn.edu/~dbhaley/Website/Haley.html (page down to “Assignments” or to the list of courses)
Office hours (Lind 310C; [email protected]): TTh 12:30–1:15; Th 9–9:30; and by appointment