22. Paradise Regained, Books III-IV

Milton (ENGL 220)

In this second lecture on Paradise Regained, the three temptations are examined and Milton's unusual departure from their account in the Gospel of Luke is discussed. The poem's tacit assertion of the superiority of knowledge and ethics over action is probed. Considerable time is spent examining the Son's rejection of classical literature. Finally, Book Four's allusion to the riddle of the sphinx serves as a springboard to a consideration of the poem's Oedipal elements.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction: The Notion of Identity in Paradise Regained and "Paradise Lost"
03:48 - Chapter 2. Who is John Milton?
10:31 - Chapter 3. The Three Temptations of the Son of God by Satan
42:33 - Chapter 4. Oedipus and the Sphinx's Riddle

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Fall 2007.