The Depth of Your Knowledge Constitutes

Your Reality, And the Reality You

Perceive Governs the Choices You Make.

Thesis Statement:

Milton’s Depictions of Knowledge“L’Allegro”

Basic Knowledge

Lines 60-68; Lines 93-99 Work & play because it is all they know

It’s what everyone else does, so they are content.

Limited knowledge = limited choice

“Il Penseroso”

In Depth Knowledge

Lines 1-6 He is not content with common thinking

Lines 85-96 Dig deep for greater knowledge

Mean vs. Choose“L’Allegro”

“These delights if thou canst give, / Mirth, with thee I mean to live” (Lines 151-2).

“Il Penseroso”

“These pleasures, Melancholy, give, / and I with thee will choose to live” (Lines 175-6).

Paradise LostBooks I, II, IX

Book I, Lines 118-124 Satan perceives a reality where God is a tyrannical monarch. Since he has a limited knowledge of God’s true intent, he makes the choice to work against God.

Book I, Lines 53-58; 92-94 Satan did not realize how strong God was.

Book I, Lines 604-611 Realizes the implications of his actions

Satan’s Reality

Book I, Lines 250-259 Mind can dictate the state you are in

Book I, Lines 261-270 We’re better off here

Book I, Lines 335-338 They realize their pain, but follow Satan

The Reality of the Followers of Satan

Like someone else we know . . .

Incomplete KnowledgeBook II, Lines 18-19 The followers think

they have free choice. But do they?

Book II, Lines 378-390 Satan set the whole debate up, unbeknownst to the followers

Book IX, Lines 350-353 Reason governs will

Book IX, Lines 803-809 Grow mature in knowledge

Book IX, Lines 1022-1026 Knowledge makes life more pleasurable

Ignorance is Bliss? Adam and Eve

Book XII, Lines 645-649 Sad to leave Eden, but happier because of knowledge they received!

Conclusion