John Milton's writings reflect a lifelong effort to unite the aims of literary, intellectual and political experimentation. This class explores Milton's major works, especially his masterpiece epic Paradise Lost. We'll consider Milton's highly original characters, especially Satan, with whom we are invited to sympathize, but also Adam, Eve and Samson. We'll encounter Milton's startling poetic innovations, and his daring attempts to redefine human beings and their potential. We'll compare Milton's writings with other genres, such as early theology and medicine, and see his influence in recent sci-fi, crime fiction, rock and metal.