Epic Wonder in Paradise Lost

Abstract

<p>This thesis examines the evocation of wonder in the reader of Paradise Lost. The first chapter relates Paradise Lost to earlier epic in an attempt to explore the characteristic Features of the marvellous in epic poetry of all ages, whilst the second and third chapters concentrate upon the wonderful in Paradise Lost itself.</p> <p>The first chapter is divided into three sections. In the first I shall look at marvels of achievement and action, in the second, I shall look at events, situations and proclamations which only have the arpearance of being marvellous, whilst in the third scr;tion I shall examine the way in which each epic poet's understanding of the marvellous is influenced by his world-view. from earlier epic, I shall argue that Paradise Lost differs in that Milton has a thesis to assert (the thesis of Eternal Providence) which the action of his poem (the disobedience and Fall of Man) would seem to deny. I shall argue that it is from the friction between the thesis and action of Paradise Lost that the reader's wonder primarily springs.</p> <p>In the second chapter, I shall examine the way in which the Creation supports the thesis of Providence in Paradise Lost. I shall look first at Eden, then at the Creation of the universe in six days.</p> <p>In the third and final chapter, I shall examine the collision between the action and thesis of Paradise Lost as they are reflected in the contrasting images or emblems of a labyrinth and a straight path. I shall look specifically at the lexical battle for the words "wander", "wonder", "maze", "amaze" and "way". I shall argue that Milton's justification of the ways of God to men consists of a revelation of the way of Providence.</p>