[Milton-L] Renaissance course tips

[Carol Barton]

I think you misunderstood my point, Hannibal:

(1) There is no way you can cover sufficient background, acclimate students 
to Miltonic blank verse, or even give the most cursory reading of _Paradise 
Lost_ in full in a survey course that will lead to anything like a full 
appreciation of the poet and the poem.

(2) Even the two books I suggested require a good deal of preparation of the 
kind identified above.

(3) It might be better, in a sophomore survey, to give students a broad 
sample of Miltonic writing and thought by excerpt (organised thematically) 
in a form and format in which they can fully assimilate it, and thus to whet 
their appetites for more, than to try to cram as much PL into their reading 
list as possible, and succeed only in reinforcing what seems to be the 
non-specialist impression of him.

In no way--ever--would I advocate an impression of Milton as (1) a 
Puritan--especially but not only when the term is used pejoratively; as (2) 
an old white guy--whose work is irrelevant to the modern world; as (3) the 
author of a long boring poem--ANY long boring poetry. I certainly haven't 
cultivated that negative imagery at any time in my life--but I have often 
been told by others (when they learn what my research interests are) how 
much they "hated" Milton, and how surprising it is for them to hear from me 
that studying his work could be a lifelong passion. Some have even been 
inspired to go back and give him a second (fairer) chance.

All I'm suggesting is that, if we have to parcel Milton out piecemeal, we do 
it in such a way that we spark an interest, rather than confirm (bad) 
popular mythology.

Best to all,

Carol Barton