English Literature / Unit 9 ENL 0811 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Epic Conventions in Paradise Lost
Captions available
The idea
Paradise Lost uses the classical epic conventions: an invocation of the Muse, a beginning in medias res, in the middle of things, with the angels already fallen, an epic catalogue of devils, long epic similes, and a descent into Hell. The anchor notes Milton turns each to moral commentary.
In practice
Invocation, mid-action, catalogue, simile, Hell.
Where people slip
Milton adapts the conventions, not copies them.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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