by Thomas Smith, Point Loma High School
This project will require the kids, who are in groups of four, to spend individual time researching a character in Paradise Lost. They must find descriptions of the character, a description of both physical attributes and the actions they committed within Milton’s timeline, that they are assigned. This description cannot come from Milton; instead, it must be found online through various sites. Then as a group they will use the background information to choose which character Milton would most likely have picked as the main character. Once they have chosen they will use evidence found in the poem to support their choice.
Introduction
William Blake read Paradise Lost and responded to it by saying, "Milton is of the Devil's Party." Blake said this because his reading of the epic poem left him believing that Satan is the epic hero in Paradise Lost. This is one view that a reader can take on the poem and on Milton, but whether it is true stands up to you. Since the poem was published there has never been an agreement on which character is the main character, the epic hero.
Each person who reads Paradise Lost will decide which character appeals to them more and it is this that our project will focus on. As a group you will have information on the four main characters; Satan, God, Adam, & Eve, and will chose which one to defend, in a presentation, as being the true main character in the poem.
