Tag Archives: John Milton

What in Me Is Dark Illumine

By Robin Bates | Published: January 9, 2016

An epiphany is the moment when something divine enters the human realm. During the Epiphany season, Christians celebrate such moments. In the famous opening of “Paradise Lost,” Milton notes that the Holy Spirit is his muse and connects his own inspiration with a number of famous visitations of the Holy Spirit throughout Biblical history.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged epiphanies, Epiphany, Holy Spirit, Jesus, John the Baptist, Moses, Paradise Lost | Comments closed

Introducing a New Genre: Cli-Fi

By Robin Bates | Published: January 7, 2016

Weather disappeared largely from literature when it was seen unrealted to the actions of humans. With climate change now upon us, however, a new literary genre has arisen.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged climate change, extreme weather, global warming, Lost Children, Mary Oliver, Pjlds; | Comments closed

Jeb! Agonistes: An Unsettling Parallel

By Robin Bates | Published: November 1, 2015

Does Jeb Bush resemble at the moment Samson Agonistes? His rivalry with Marco Rubio also resembles any number of Shakespeare tragedies. There’s an Oedipus parallel as well.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged 2016 election, GOP, GOP primary, Henry IV Part II, Jeb Bush, Joseph Campbell, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Macbeth, Marco Rubio, Oedipus, politics, Samson Agonistes, Sophocles, William Shakespeare | Comments closed

Satanic Fury from the Freedom Caucus

By Robin Bates | Published: October 13, 2015

The Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives has been behaving like Satan in “Paradise Lost.” They would be advised to see what happens to Milton’s anti-hero.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Congress, Freedom Caucus, GOP, House of Representatives, Paradise Lost, politics | Comments closed

Dying and a Night Powdered with Stars

By Robin Bates | Published: July 26, 2015

Oliver Sacks, as he is dying, shares Milton’s wonder at a night sky “powdered with stars.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged astronomy, death and dying, Oliver Sacks, Paradise Lost | Comments closed

Milton’s Satan Invades Charleston

By Robin Bates | Published: June 21, 2015

Once again, light has attracted darkness in America with the Charleston church killings. John Milton describes how this dynamic works in “Paradise Lost” and Leslie Marmon Silko does so as well in “Ceremony.”