Paradise Lost Lesson Plan

In Book I, Milton invokes the Holy Spirit for poetic inspiration; however, in Book VII, he invokes the Greek Muse Urania. What does Milton's willingness to not only reference Classical Greek culture, but invoke Classical Greek deities, reveal about the relationship between Christianity and Ancient Greece in his time period?

Students will likely remember from their studies that Milton is not so far removed from the Italian Renaissance. In general, Christian Europe during this time period was very interested in the culture and art of Antiquity, and Milton would not have been immune to this trend. At the same time, students will also likely recall that Milton and other...