The (homo)sexual temptation in Milton's Paradise regained.
While the sexual temptation of Paradise Regained is tactful, it is also characteristically Miltonic in its daring. Despite its decorous presentation, the temptation is exceedingly bold in that it is not merely a heterosexual temptation but a homosexual one as well. Acknowledgement of the homosexual lure in the brief epic is essential to understanding the dynamics of the celebrated banquet scene and to appreciating the comprehensiveness of Milton's trial of the Son's humanity. Such a recognition also helps place in perspective the alleged misogyny of Paradise Regained, even as it also reveals the complexity of Milton's poetic technique, particularly his ability to work by indirection and implication and to exploit classical and biblical sources. Although Jesus rejects the homosexual temptation (as He does the heterosexual one), He does not condemn homosexuality. Milton's incorporation of a homosexual temptation provides evidence of his sophisticated recognition of the range of fully human sexual responses.
Summers
C J
CJ
Department of Humanities, University of Michigan-Dearborn 48128-1491, USA. csummers@umich.edu
D001633:Bible; D004739:England; D005197:Famous Persons; D005260:Female; D049670:History, 17th Century; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000266:history* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008093:Literature, Modern / Q000266:history*; D008297:Male