Paradise Lost Background & Context
True or False? Paradise Lost was well received by the church at the time of its publication and John Milton was celebrated for it.
False
True or False? Mary Shelley was good friends with John Milton, hence why Frankenstein references Paradise Lost so much.
False
Who is the largely viewed as the primary antagonist in Paradise Lost?
Satan
Where does Victor die?
On Walton's ship
What is the setting at the beginning of Paradise Lost?
Hell
How many books does Paradise Lost contain?
12
What is the subtitle of Frankenstein?
The Modern Prometheus
Who is the first to eat the forbidden fruit in Paradise Lost?
Eve
What literary genre best describes Frankenstein?
Gothic horror novel
What does Satan disguise himself as when entering the garden of Eden?
A serpent
An invocation of the muse, the inclusion of supernatural characters, and beginning “in medias res” are all qualities of what?
an epic poem
What literary structure does Mary Shelley employ in Frankenstein?
Frame narrative (or "nested frame narrative")
Who recounts the War on Heaven to Adam and Eve? (...but mostly Adam)
Raphael
What is Robert Walton’s role in the novel?
Walton encounters Victor at the beginning of the book and then narrates Victor’s story through letters to his sister.
Note: key part of answer here is he "narrates story through his letters"
Which character is wrongly executed for the murder of William? What is their punishment?
Justine; she is executed.
What is the main purpose of Paradise Lost, as stated by John Milton?
*Hint: It's a direct quoted line from Book I
"To justify the ways of God to man."
What inspired Mary Shelley to begin brainstorming ideas for Frankenstein?
A ghost story competition with friends including Percy Shelley and Lord Byron. (After some writer's block, she then had a dream that further provided her inspiration)
What primary event (also considered a larger theme) is explored in Paradise Lost?
The Fall of Man
This character represents Romantic ideals and contrasts with Victor by focusing on the humanities rather than scientific pursuits.
Henry Clerval
After he is continually rejected by society, what request does the creature make of Victor?
To create a companion for him
What is "blank verse"? What is its relevance to Paradise Lost?
a poetic form that consists of lines of unrhymed iambic pentameter; Paradise Lost is written in blank verse
Name two characteristics of Romanticism.
Answer Phrasing May Vary but Should Relate to/Mention:
an emphasis on imagination and individual creativity, a focus on the beauty of nature, the natural world as a source of inspiration for writing and contemplation, celebration of emotional depth and subjectivity
What primary trait does Milton emphasize in Satan's character? What is the primary reason for Satan’s rebellion?
His ambition; His desire to overthrow God
What does Victor warn Walton against?
Pursuing knowledge beyond human limits
What is an allusion? Name 2 allusions found in Frankenstein.
an allusion is a reference within a text to another text;
Possible Answers: Paradise Lost, The Bible, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," "Mutability"