Three-Four pages minimum (no maximum), double-spaced (excluding works cited)
Two scholarly (peer-reviewed) sources are required for this essay. You may use one of the essays from your Norton edition for this assignment.
MLA or CMS for citations and works cited.
Typical requirements and expectations for a formal essay are in place: captivating introduction with thesis statement/argument, thought-provoking conclusion that answers the question “so what?”, paragraph transitions, topic sentences, quotes integrated, sources cited correctly, paper coherence, logical sequence, critical thinking, close engagement with the text, etc.
Make sure to demonstrate close analysis of Milton’s work, including how the text works to support whatever point you are making at that time. This means quoting the text and taking apart/analyzing those quotes.
You must draw in information from at least one of the footnotes from your Norton edition where relevant, signaling to the reader either by writing something like “the footnote to line ___ tells us” or providing an in-text citation like this (Footnote line __).
In your introduction or conclusion (where it feels natural/relevant), make sure to say something about why the Miltonic Theme you chose is important to you.
Prompt: Your paper should focus on at least one or more of the works from Milton’s early career (NOT Paradise Lost) covered in the class thus far. Use the works to explore an important Miltonic Theme of your choice. Possible (but not comprehensive) themes include the following: Milton and Vocation, Milton and the Bible, Milton and Classical Antiquity, Milton and Politics, Milton and His Blindness, Milton and Literary Forefathers, Milton and Poetry’s Power, Milton and Music, Milton and His Father, Milton and Orpheus, etc.
Mention how this may have influenced his work Paradise Lost briefly. I know it mentions Norton, but you can just cite Areopagitica as well as two sources that aren’t from that textbook. Thank you!