Paradise Lost: What To Compare It To (OCR A Level English Literature): Revision Note

Topic sentence

Both Milton and Webster explore the connection between intense thoughts and bad deeds

Evidence and analysis

Paradise Lost

The Duchess of Malfi

Milton's exploration of intense thoughts and bad deeds raises moral and theological questions

Webster depicts characters who are trapped within a rigid social structure that suppresses their desires and emotions

Eve’s intense thoughts lead her to disobedience and she succumbs to the temptation of the forbidden fruit: her independence would have been considered radical in the context of Milton's time and challenges traditional gender roles

Both Eve and the Duchess succumb to temptation: the Duchess is forbidden from remarrying due to her noble status and her intense love for Antonio is initially repressed due to social norms

Adam's love for Eve is portrayed as deep and genuine and his intense love for Eve makes him eat the forbidden fruit willingly: these intense emotions result in the tragic downfall of humanity

Similarly, Antonio's love for the Duchess is characterised by its sincerity and intensity though it always results in tragedy with the Duchess’s persecution and death

Milton's exploration of intense thoughts and their consequences would have resonated with the religious and philosophical debates of the time: the Protestant Reformation and the rise of individualism were challenging traditional notions of authority and obedience

Similarly, The Duchess of Malfi was influenced by the societal norms and moral values of Jacobean England, as issues of class and gender were deeply ingrained within society

Some interpretations consider the importance of individual responsibility and free will in the moral choices made by the characters: they acknowledge the power of intense thoughts but illustrate the significance of resisting temptation and making virtuous decisions

Some interpretations view the Duchess's “bad deed” and defiance as a feminist statement that challenges patriarchal norms of the time

Topic sentence

Both Milton and Webster explore how fulfilment can sometimes be achieved through unexpected means

Evidence and analysis

Paradise Lost

The Duchess of Malfi

Adam and Eve initially experience a loss of fulfillment through their disobedience: their actions appear  to forfeit any possibility of regaining what they both had

Bosola is marked by his grudges and vengeful nature and finds a twisted sense of fulfillment in his role: his  actions are driven by hatred and betrayal

Paradoxically, in their fallen state,  Adam and Eve find a new form of fulfillment and their shared guilt and vulnerability foster a greater intimacy and understanding between them

Although initially a vengeful character, Bosola similarly finds unexpected fulfilment through his evolving moral conscience and the genuine connections he forms: Bosola's fulfillment is deeply ironic and reveals the destructive allure of vengeance and the dark paths it can lead to

Milton presents irony as Adam and Eve find a deeper, more meaningful fulfilment in their fallen state outwardly marked by suffering and loss

Similarly, although the Duchess seeks love and personal happiness (but is met with betrayal and tragedy), she too experiences moments of fulfillment even amid her moments of suffering and darkness

During this period, England was marked by political and religious upheaval and ideas about individual fulfillment and divine destiny were deeply intertwined with prevailing religious beliefs: the poem explores the pursuit of fulfillment without divine guidance

Similarly, the Duchess's pursuit of love and autonomy challenges the societal constraints placed upon women of Webster’s time, which illustrates the struggle for fulfilment within oppressive contexts

Topic sentence

Both Milton and Webster explore heroic acts and behaviour though they present these in contrasting ways

Evidence and analysis

Paradise Lost

The Duchess of Malfi

Milton's portrayal of heroism is deeply rooted in moral complexity and divine context

In contrast, Webster's presentation of heroism is grounded in human conflicts and societal constraints 

Heroism lies in Adam and Eve’s capacity for repentance and divine forgiveness which offers a more hopeful perspective despite the tragic fall

In contrast, heroism is portrayed as courageous yet futile in The Duchess of Malfi: Webster depicts heroism through the Duchess's tragic fate and her willingness to endure suffering and face death illustrate the tragic heroism of sacrificing personal happiness for love

Milton employs traditional epic heroic qualities in describing Satan: he is depicted as charismatic, courageous and eloquent and his ability to rally his fallen angels; his persuasive rhetoric and his unwavering determination resemble the traits of epic heroes like Achilles or Odysseus

Despite the oppressive social constraints and the constant threat of her brothers' tyranny, the Duchess displays some heroic courage and determination; however, at times, her character is also depicted as deeply flawed and vulnerable

While Satan undeniably exhibits all the traits of a conventional epic hero, his corruption, selfishness,  vengefulness and damnation remain unaltered

In a society that stifles her, the Duchess's heroic acts lie in her ability to assert her autonomy and challenge the established norms

Milton again presents irony, as Satan's heroic qualities are used in the pursuit of evil instead of being used for noble purposes, which challenges the traditional notions of heroism

Despite her heroic choices, the Duchess ultimately falls victim to betrayal by her own family: her tragic demise conveys the limitations of individual heroism in the face of systemic oppression

Milton's epic was written during a time of political and religious upheaval in 17th-century England: heroism would have resonated with the theme of rebellion against authority, which reflected the turbulent and defiant atmosphere of  this period

Rigid class distinctions and patriarchal dominance were dominant during the Jacobean era: in this context,  heroism in the play is exemplified by the Duchess's courage to challenge societal constraints prevalent during the time it was written

Topic sentence

While both Milton and Webster explore happiness and how it is difficult to find and to keep, Milton presents the relationship between happiness and moral righteousness whereas Webster explores a more humanistic pursuit of contentment

Evidence and analysis

Paradise Lost

The Duchess of Malfi

Milton's portrayal of happiness is viewed as a prelapsarian state of innocence, depicting an idyllic Eden where Adam and Eve experience eternal bliss

n contrast, Webster's exploration is marked by a harsher reality where happiness is fleeting

Milton suggests that happiness derives from obedience to divine will and moral righteousness: Adam and Eve's initial happiness in Eden is rooted in their harmonious relationship with God

In contrast, Webster portrays happiness as stemming from personal autonomy, love and emotional fulfilment: the Duchess finds moments of joy and happiness in her secret relationship with Antonio

Adam and Eve respond to adversity with introspection, repentance and the pursuit of divine forgiveness

In contrast, the Duchess and Bosola  respond to adversity with defiance  and resilience

Milton's poem reflects the religious and moral anxieties of his time, which illustrates the connection between happiness and divine obedience 

In contrast, Webster's play explores the humanistic pursuit of happiness and conveys personal autonomy and emotional fulfilment amid societal constraints

Text

Summary

Key comparisons with Paradise Lost

Edward II by Christopher Marlowe (1592)

Edward II is a historical tragedy that chronicles the turbulent reign of King Edward II of England. The play delves into Edward's controversial relationships, particularly with Piers Gaveston, which leads to political unrest and rebellion. Edward's personal desires clash with political duties meaning his downfall becomes inevitable

• Both texts focus on moral ambiguities:

  • Edward's flawed reign and Mortimer's ambition portray complex moral dilemmas, which reveals the ambiguity of their actions and decisions

  • Characters like Satan exhibit moral ambiguity by embodying both charisma and malevolence

• Both texts have tragic elements:

  • Edward II is a historical tragedy that explores the downfall of Edward II due to his political decisions and personal relationships

  • There are tragic undertones in the fall of humanity due to Adam and Eve's choices

• Both texts explore sexuality and social norms:

  • The play explores Edward II's controversial relationships with Piers Gaveston, which challenges social norms and same-sex relationships

  • The depiction of Adam and Eve's relationship raises questions about human sexuality and the dynamics of their relationship

The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster (1614)

The Duchess of Malfi is a tragedy about a Duchess, a young widow, who secretly marries her steward, Antonio, against her brothers' wishes. As the Duchess's brothers scheme to regain control, the play culminates in a tragic conclusion that illustrates the destructive force of jealousy and greed

• Both texts have tragic elements:

  • The Duchess of Malfi is a tragedy, filled with elements of betrayal and the downfall of the virtuous Duchess

  • While not a tragedy in the traditional sense, the fall of humanity and the suffering of Adam and Eve also create a tragic tone

• The theme of power and authority is evident in both texts: 

  • Satan's rebellion against God's authority highlights themes of power and ambition

  • The abuse of authority by Ferdinand and the Cardinal lead to the tragic fate of the Duchess

• Similarly, free will is evident in both texts:

  • The tension between divine predestination and human free will is explored through Adam and Eve's actions

  • The characters' fate in The Duchess of Malfi seems predestined due to their circumstances, yet their choices and actions contribute to the tragic events

She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith (1771)

She Stoops to Conquer is about the misadventures of a young man named Marlow. Mistaken identities, misunderstandings and romantic entanglements ensue when Marlow visits the home of Mr Hardcastle, intending to meet his daughter, Kate Hardcastle, but instead mistaking her for a barmaid

• In She Stoops to Conquer, social norms and moral expectations of the 18th century are satirically examined

• In Paradise Lost, the characters struggle with moral choices and consider concepts like free will and divine justice

• Deception plays a significant role in both texts:

  • Eve is deceived by Satan's cunning words, leading to the original sin

  • She Stoops to Conquer revolves around misunderstandings and deceptions, with characters assuming false identities

• Transformation and redemption is evident in both texts: 

  • Adam and Eve's remorse and repentance demonstrate the possibility of redemption

  • Characters in She Stoops to Conquer undergo transformation and redemption through self-realisation:

    • Mistakes and misunderstandings lead to self-awareness, which allow characters like Marlow to grow and change for the better

• There are notable differences:

  • She Stoops to Conquer explores themes such as mistaken identity, class distinctions and the comedy arising from human misjudgement and social conventions

  • Paradise Lost revolves around temptation, sin, repentance and reconciliation

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen (1879)

A Doll’s House portrays Nora, the protagonist, leaving her husband and children to seek her own identity, challenging the traditional roles imposed by society

• Both texts explore themes of morality and the consequences of human actions:

• Ibsen's play revolves around themes of gender roles, societal expectations and the search for individual identity

• The play questions societal morality and ethics, particularly regarding women's roles

• Both Nora and Eve defy societal expectations and challenge traditional gender roles:

  • Eve's decision to eat the forbidden fruit is driven by her curiosity and desire for knowledge

  • Similarly, Nora's actions are motivated by her longing for independence and self-discovery, which she believes can only be achieved by breaking free from her confining domestic role

• While Paradise Lost ends on a note of redemption and hope, A Doll’s House concludes ambiguously, with Nora leaving her family, symbolising her quest for self-discovery

• The outcomes for Eve and Nora therefore differ significantly: 

  • Eve's disobedience leads to the expulsion of humanity from the Garden of Eden, resulting in the original sin and its consequences

  • Nora's departure from her family is a symbol of her quest for independence which leaves the consequences of her actions open to interpretation

An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde (1895) 

The play revolves around Sir Robert Chiltern, a respected politician, and his seemingly perfect life. However, when a woman named Mrs Cheveley threatens to expose a dark secret from his past, Sir Robert’s integrity and marriage are put to the test

• The play explores themes of morality, social expectations and the complexities of marriage:

  • The play challenges the notion of an “ideal” husband and the complexities of marriage

• In both texts, there is a moral dilemma:

  • In Paradise Lost, the disobedience of Adam and Eve raise questions about free will and temptation

  • Similarly, in An Ideal Husband, Sir Robert’s past misdeeds raise questions about moral integrity, honesty and societal expectations

• In both texts, the characters must come to terms with their actions and confront the consequences of their choices

• Paradise Lost is an epic poem written in blank verse and employs elevated language and grand, poetic imagery:

  • In contrast, An Ideal Husband is a comedic play that relies on witty dialogue, satire and humour to convey its themes