Here is the second Milton Take Home Examination, due in class on Thursday, May 2nd.
Category Archives: materials
A Quiz, a palpable quiz
Genesis 1-3
The story of the earth’s creation in “Genesis” is useful to read when reading books 7-8 of Paradise Lost. Google “genesis 1-3” and read the biblical version. It won’t take long. When you do, note the break in the story telling: the story is told twice. See the break displayed here.
Pleasure Reading
Herbert
The rhythm of Robert Service
May Morning aloud
It is cold today. Does that mean we can’t celebrate the approach of spring with a few readings of “Song: On May Morning”?
Below you’ll find links to four readings of Milton’s aubade.
The first is poorly done. The reading is measured but bland. It sounds like the reader (me) has no clue about the ideas the words are trying to convey.
The second is too sing-song in its style. It seems as though the reader (me again) doesn’t trust the verse, but instead rises to a height at the end of each line. But not all lines are endstopped, and when they are enjambed there should be no pause to mark line’s end. Readers should also trust the power of the rhyme. You don’t need to “ring the bell.” Just read naturally; the rhyme will draw attention to itself.
The third reading may not be spectacular (or even very good), but it’s better than the first two. I’m trying to allow free reign to the verse and to emphasize where punctuation and overall meaning suggest emphasis.
The final reading is by a guest reader. Some of you will know him by his voice.
Song: On May Morning
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Popcorn annotation of Milton’s “On the Late Massacre in Piedmont”
Here is a popcorn annotation of one of Milton’s sonnets. It’s less than 3 minutes long. Enjoy.