Milton: A Cocky Author

I got the sense that Milton is a rather prideful author due to many of his assertions made in the beginning of Book I of Paradise Lost. This is supposed to be a Christian epic, however, Milton's lack of humility is contradictory to a common Christian demeanor. He states that "with no middle flight intends to soar above th' Aonian mount, while in pursues things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme." Milton will to something never done before, in the footnotes, the text explains that he desires to surpass Homer and Virgil. These are all rather presumptuous claims Milton is making. Paradise Lost is one of the greatest written works ever created, so maybe Milton deserved to be a little cocky. As a reader, I couldn't help but be slightly annoyed at his boldness... after finishing Book I, I wondered why someone didn't serve him up a nice big slice of humble pie as he was dictating his great epic.

Paradise Lost: Is Satan the Hero??

In reading the beginning of Book I of Milton's Paradise Lost I noticed the strange portrayal of the devil as an almost heroic figure. The picture is painted of Lucifer's fall from grace as he was plunged into the depths of hell for his disobedience; instead of seeing a traitorous demon, the reader sees a rebellious angel who stood against a tyrant. It was odd to me that God was portrayed as a tyrant, this negative portrayal highlights Lucifer and elevates him as a heroic figure. "Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heav'n." These powerful words, spoken by "the hero" are a testament to his defiance of the Almighty and make God seem even more a tyrant since his fallen angel would rather burn in fire eternally than serve him.

Helen of Troy

The entrance of Helen of Troy was quite interesting in the play. She is a beautiful woman and represents sexual desire for Faustus. She is symbolic of Faustus' pact with the devil -- alluring, tempting, and exciting. It is known that when Faustus kisses Helen, he renounces any hope for salvation and is doomed to burn in hell eternally. So why Helen of Troy, the "face that launched a thousand ships"? She is the most beautiful woman in the world, it was Helen and the Trojan prince Paris's love that caused the city of Troy to burn (but of course it was mostly Helen, the temptress, who seduced Paris because men can do no wrong.) I found it interesting that Helen caused Troy to burn and her kiss will cause Faustus to burn. Of course we poor females are always responsible for the downfall of men; maybe if we weren't so sinful, beautiful, and tempting, the world would be a better place.

The Seven Deadly Sins

I was wondering what the significance of the seven deadly sins is in the play; they enter with the devil when Faustus is doubting his decision to sell his soul. My first thought was that the addition of these seven demons was to add to the dark and sinister mood of the play (though some would argue that the mood is comic, and it is in some places) but as I read through the scene, I realized that they were meant to lure Faustus back into his dark path to destruction. Before the entrance of the sins, Faustus was doubting his pact with Lucifer, he was contemplating repenting to Christ and saving his soul. It was at this moment of strength against evil that the devil enters and ropes him back in by assuring him that Christ cannot save his soul. It is now that the sins (pride, avarice, lust, anger, gluttony, envy, and sloth) enter the play to entrance Faustus to return to his twisted path. They each introduced themselves and delighted Faustus.

What's so great about selling your soul to the devil???

I don't understand the appeal in selling one's soul. The whole making a deal, living a couple of years and then burning in the pits of hell just doesn't sound so great in my opinion. In my past reading experiences with the supernatural, I've come across some dealings with demons, but most of these people wanted to save a loved one or buy more time for themselves with a loved one; Faustus wants neither, which makes me feel little remorse for him as a character. He does say that he wants to live a life of voluptuousness which suggests sexual desire or possibly appetite. So I suppose he'll live for twenty-four years being a glutton and forsaking any moral fiber or religious faith he had and then be incinerated in a world of fire and torment... great plan.

A Pact With the Devil: Dr. Faustus

I found it interesting when Mephastophilis entered the play, Dr. Faustus to change his shape and come back as a "Franciscan Friar"... in doing this, Faustus mocks Christianity which he has rejected. Mephastophilis soon tries to tempt Faustus to sell his soul to the devil by warning him against the eternal damnation he is doomed for if he makes the evil and dark pact with Lucifer. At first I thought he was really trying to warn him but then I thought, hey, this guy is a demon, why would he want to help out poor Faustus? Like a child, Faustus gravitates towards that which he is told not to and makes the deal. Mephastophilis tells him that he must "write a deed of gift with thine own blood". The doctor's blood clots as he is trying to sign the deed, possibly a warning from God or his inner good. Faustus also sees the words homo fuge, which translates as "o man fly", yet another warning.

The Three Hunts

I found several parallels to Gawain, the lord's wife, and the Green Knight in the three hunt scenes of the poem. The deer hunt portrays the hunting and slaughter of does. The boar hunt reveals the pursuit of a courageous and dangerous brute that only the lord can overcome in the end. The last hunt is that of a fox. Fox's by nature are cunning and sly, the hunting of one suggests intellectual skill and challenge. I saw a reflection of Gawain and the hunted animals in the first two hunt scenes. The doe is a timid and easily frightened prey, they hide from predators and flee when necessary. In the first bedroom scene Gawain is quite wary of the lord's wife, he hides under his covers once he realizes that she has entered his chamber. The boar hunt is quite different from that of the deer; the boar is known as a fierce fighter and difficult prey to kill. I saw Gawain in the boar and the lord (who is later revealed as the Green Knight) in this hunt scene. The boar puts up a brave fight, but the lord finishes him in the end. This could be seen as foreshadowing of future events in the poem (even though the Green Knight does not kill Gawain). I saw the lord's wife in the hunt of the fox; foxes are known as intelligent and stealthy creatures. Throughout the poem she establishes herself as a sly and cunning character as she tries to tempt Gawain in the bedroom.

Gawain and the Green Knight

I've really enjoyed reading this poem, I love the idea of Camelot and the brave knights with their chivalric code. I find the story quite enticing and love the symbols presented throughout. One symbol that I payed aprticular attention to was the usage of the seasons as symbols. The seasons are parallel with the mood of the poem, happy warm weather reflects a cheerful mood and cold dark weather suggests a somber mood in the poem.

I was also interested in the symbolism of the pentangle

on Gawain's shield. The pentangle had five points and is unbreakable and constant (not unlike the infinity symbol) I think that the pentangle on Gawain's sword represents a protective shield that he'll need as he faces the Green Knight as well as the trials that await him before his meeting with certain death. It is quite ironic that Gawain did not need the shield when he was tested before his meeting with the knight, he had to depend his knightly virtues and not a protective shield.