Intertextuality and the context of reception: Paradise Lost – Book One II.17-26 by John Milton

Dr

© 2012 crossref-it.info

Page 1 of 3

Lesson plan

Resources Copies of Paradise Lost texts

Resource A - Spirit prompt

questions

Resource B – Film clip of Paradise

Lost lines 17-26

Resource C – Extract from Paradise

Lost lines 17-26 with corresponding

Bible passages

Learning objectives To understand and analyse closely

this section of the poem

To consider Milton’s concept and

presentation of the Spirit

To explore links between the Bible

and the poem

Starter activity – recapping the

poem’s opening Quickly recap knowledge of lines 1-

16:

At the start of his poem, what

information and events does

Milton say the poem will cover?

How ambitious does Milton

consider his poem to be?

Why does he need ‘aid’?

Next, in lines 17-26, Milton appeals

to the Holy Spirit to help. What do

we understand the Holy Spirit to be?

(God in spirit form, part of the

Trinity, etc.)

Main activity 1 – reading and understanding the section Read lines 17-26:

Students underline any words

they don’t understand and ask

other students or the teacher for

definitions.

Next, students identify and

highlight the three things Milton

asks the Spirit to do in this

section. (‘Instruct me’ line 19,

‘what in me is dark / Illumine’

lines 22-23, and ‘what is low

raise and support’ line 23)

Sum up: What sort of help does

Milton want from the Spirit in

this section?

Main activity 2 – group analysis of the presentation of the Spirit Either by writing on the board or

using the task sheet [Resource A],

encourage students to work through

the following:

What information about and

description of the Spirit does

Milton give?

Where does the Spirit most like to

be? (lines 17-18)

When was the Spirit around?

(lines 19-20)

What image of the Spirit is given?

(lines 20-21)

Can you draw it?

How does Milton describe the

Spirit’s creative or life-giving

force? (line 22)

What powers does the Spirit have?

(lines 22-23)

Overall, how does Milton present

the Spirit?

Main activity 3 – exploring links with the Bible Watch the film clip [Resource B] in

conjunction with the handout

[Resource C].

Consider: What are the links

between the beginning of the Bible

and the beginning of Milton’s

poem?

What images and themes are

used?

Students use arrows to make

connections and make notes on

their texts.

Plenary – Milton’s purpose Debate: To what extent is Milton just

using and retelling the Bible story,

and to what extent is this his

personal expression/interpretation

and mission?

Look again at lines 25-26 and

consider Milton as a kind of

mouthpiece or spokesperson for

God, in interpreting God’s work to

people

Do we find Milton humble in his

task (in asking the Spirit for help)

or very ambitious and bold in

trying to ‘justify the ways of God

to men’?

Inte

rtex

tual

ity

and

the

cont

ext

of r

ecep

tion

:

Para

dis

e L

ost – B

ook

One

11.

17-2

6

Intertextuality and the context of reception: Paradise Lost – Book One II.17-26

by John Milton

Dr

© 2012 crossref-it.info

Page 2 of 3

Resources

Resource A – task sheet

Discuss and make notes on your poem:

What information about and description of the Spirit does Milton give?

Where does the Spirit most like to be? (lines 17-18)

When was the Spirit around? (lines 19-20)

What image of the Spirit is given? (lines 20-21)

Can you draw it?

How does Milton describe the Spirit’s creative or life-giving force? (line 22)

What powers does the Spirit have? (lines 22-23)

Overall, how does Milton present the Spirit?

Inte

rtex

tual

ity

and

the

cont

ext

of r

ecep

tion

:

Para

dis

e L

ost – B

ook

One

11.

17-2

6

Intertextuality and the context of reception: Paradise Lost – Book One II.17-26 by John Milton

Dr

© 2012 crossref-it.info

Page 3 of 3

Resource B – http://www.crossref-it.info/articles/480/Paradise-Lost-~-Book-1,-

lines-17~26

Resource C

Paradise Lost Book One lines 17-26

Genesis 1: 1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And chiefly thou, O Spirit, that dost prefer

Before all temples th' upright heart and pure,

Instruct me, for thou know'st;

Genesis 1: 2a And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was

upon the face of the deep.

thou from the first

Wast present, and, with mighty wings outspread,

Dove-like sat'st brooding on the vast Abyss,

And mad'st it pregnant:

Genesis 1: 2b And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

what in me is dark

Illumine, what is low raise and support;

Genesis 1:3 And God said, ‘Let there be light’: and there was light.

That, to the height of this great argument,

I may assert Eternal Providence,

And justify the ways of God to men.

Inte

rtex

tual

ity

and

the

cont

ext

of r

ecep

tion

:

Para

dis

e L

ost – B

ook

One

11.

17-2

6