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Divine alchemy in Paradise Lost
| Title: | Divine alchemy in Paradise Lost. |
 385 views 121 downloads |
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| Name(s): |
Rutherford, Andrea J. Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters Department of English |
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| Type of Resource: | text | |
| Genre: | Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation | |
| Date Issued: | 2012 | |
| Publisher: | Florida Atlantic University | |
| Physical Form: | electronic | |
| Extent: | vii, 58 p. : ill. | |
| Language(s): | English | |
| Summary: | This study examines the themes of alchemy and transformation in Paradise Lost and seventeenth-century thought. Beginning with an overvieiw of the historical roots of alchemy, this study analyzes the ancient, underlying philosophical concepts that marital union produces the birth of the soul and that destruction is necessary for this birth. Alchemical references identified in Paradise Lost include animal lore and direct alchemical images, which demonstrate Milton's knowledge of alchemy and his deliberate use of the alchemical metaphor. These themes support the proposal that Milton, a Christian humanist, uses alchemy as a metaphor described in this study as "divine alchemy," which begins with his belief that Christians, inheriting original sin, must submit themselves to a transformative process similar to transmutation to restore right reason and, ultimately, achieve salvation. | |
| Identifier: | 833365070 (oclc), 3358963 (digitool), FADT3358963 (IID), fau:4046 (fedora) | |
| Note(s): |
by Andrea J. Rutherford. Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 201?. Includes bibliography. Mode of access: World Wide Web. System requirements: Adobe Reader. |
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| Subject(s): |
Milton, John, 1608-1674 Milton, John, 1608-1674 Milton, John, 1608-1674 Symbolism in literature Science in literature Literature and science -- England -- History -- 17th century |
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| Persistent Link to This Record: | http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358963 | |
| Use and Reproduction: | http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ | |
| Host Institution: | FAU |
