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Paradise Lost by John Milton - Online Intensive

Agora Foundation Online Intensive -
Paradise Lost by John Milton

Thursday Evenings - February 8 to April 25, 2024 -
5:30-7:00PM Pacific

Barry-Rabe.jpg

Barry Rabe

revisd 8-10-23 Eric Stull.jpg

Eric Stull

Sessions will be facilitated by Barry Rabe and Eric Stull.

 

“Knowledge forbidden?

Suspicious, reasonless.

Why should their Lord

Envy them that?

Can it be a sin to know?

Can it be death?”

 

The Agora Foundation is pleased to add to its 2024 online intensives - Paradise Lost by John Milton. This is the first time Agora has offered this reading, one book at a time, instead of discussing the entire text over one weekend, which was barley more than an introduction.

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First published in 1667, John Milton wrote Paradise Lost at the age of nearly 60, composed entirely though dictation due to his blindness. The book is a masterpiece and considered one of the greatest English poems of all time. The text concerns the biblical story of the fall of man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

 

The wide arc of the angelic war is contrasted with the domestic epic of first humanity. When Adam and Eve are cast out of Eden, the angel Michael says that Adam may find "a paradise within thee, happier far". Adam and Eve now have a more distant relationship with God, who is omnipresent but invisible, unlike the tangible Father in the Garden of Eden. The wisdom, efficacy, and mystery of God’s plan also provides an energetic backdrop to the action and character dialogue throughout.

 

These complex and sometimes ambiguous themes have been the subject of analysis since the poem’s unveiling, and the characters of Satan, humanity, and God are unfolding sources of fascination throughout the piece. We invite you to join us as we explore this foundations text, one book at at time, over twelve weekly online seminars. No previous knowledge or seminar experience is required.

-- COMPLETED --

Paradise Lost
February 8 to April 25, 2024 - 5:30-7:00PM Pacific

Text:

Paradise Lost by John Milton

W. W. Norton & Company; Second edition (October 2020), ISBN 978-0393617085

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Dates and Curriculum - Paradise Lost

1) Session One

Thursday, February 8

5:30-7:00PM PST

Book I

 

2) Session Two

Thursday, February 15

5:30-7:00PM PST

Book II

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3) Session Three

Thursday, February 22

5:30-7:00PM PST

Book III

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4) Session Four

Thursday, February 29

5:30-7:00PM PST

Book IV

 

5) Session Five

Thursday, March 7

5:30-7:00PM PST

Book V

 

6) Session Six

Thursday, March 14

5:30-7:00PM PDT

Book VI

7) Session Seven

Thursday, March 21

5:30-7:00PM PDT

Book VII

 

8) Session Eight

Thursday, March 28

5:30-7:00PM PDT

Book VIII

 

9) Session Nine

Thursday, April 4

5:30-7:00PM PDT

Book IX

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10) Session Ten

Thursday, April 11

5:30-7:00PM PDT

Book X

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11) Session Eleven

Thursday, April 18

5:30-7:00PM PDT

Book XI

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12) Session Twelve

Thursday, April 25

5:30-7:00PM PDT

Book XII

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