Recitation: Our Devils

Film, television, music, graphic novels—popular culture is just as fascinated with Satan as Milton’s readers were in the seventeenth century.  In this recitation we’ll explore how Milton’s Satan haunts our modern fantasies.

Preparation:

“Introduce” the class to one modern depiction of the devil and in 150 words (or a short video) explain how it compares to–or deviates from–Milton’s Satan.  Your explanation must  evince your knowledge of Milton’s epic, so be specific. (No shallow physical comparisons, like “Milton’s Satan wasn’t red”!)  Your example may come from a novel, film, comic, painting, sculpture, or any other source.  If your example is visual, be sure to upload it so that we can see it!

Recitation:

Discuss your Satans.  Do you agree with your group members on how like or unlike Milton’s Satan their devils are?   Build on their Satans–do you discern any elements of Milton’s Satan that they didn’t mention?  Press them to clarify, if needed.  If you’re not familiar with the Satans your colleagues are bringing to the table, ask for clarification, or compare their Satan to yours.  If you’re asked for clarification, give it.

Posters: Be sure, as always, that everybody’s contribution gets a response!

Report:

Include your original contribution, as always.

Describe the range of Satans your group brought to recitation.  Based on your (admittedly limited) sample, how much (if at all) does Milton inform contemporary conceptions of the devil?