7. On Milton's Poetic Manner. a. Give some examples of characteristic Miltonic phrases. b. Give some examples of conventional epic diction. c. What are epic similes? d. How does Milton use geographical names? e. Quote and comment upon some particular description as i. 589 foll. 8. On Milton's Life and Work in general. a. What different periods are to be noted in Milton's life and what distinguishes them? b. Why did Milton write his prose pamphlets? c. What is the main idea running through his great poems? d. What was Milton's relation to the Commonwealth? e. What is the relation of Milton's prose to his poetry? Such questions as these may fairly be asked to test a student's knowledge of a poem. Some of them will offer an opportunity for him to show his appreciation of it; but an examination is not a good means of testing poetic appreciation, nor was it devised for that purpose. 1655. Fuller, Church History. 1659. Cleveland, Poems. 1660. Pepys' Diary begun; Dryden, Astræa Redux. 1663. Butler, Hudibras (Part I.). 1667. Dryden, Essay of Dramatic Poesy. 1658. Cromwell, Lovelace, Cleveland died. 1660. Charles II. re- 1661. Fuller died; De- 1668. Davenant, Den- 1669. Dryden, Tyran- 1669. Prynne died. |