"He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh" : mockery and typology in Milton's poetry.

This dissertation examines the typological significance of the exchanges of mockery in Milton's major poetic works. Through engaging the affections, mockery has a crucial mediating role in Milton's poetry that connects reason and bodily appetites. In this way, mockery has a constructive purpose that far exceeds the primarily destructive and condemnatory function of comic ridicule. By analyzing the exchanges of mockery between Milton's protagonists and antagonists in the light of Christ's endurance of mockery on the cross and his mocking defeat of the devil in the Resurrection, I argue that mockery serves three functions: 1) an empowering function that unifies and strengthens the soul, 2) a pedagogical function that enlightens the protagonists as well as the audience regarding the path to salvation, and 3) a typological function that prefigures Christ's triumph over evil. Exchanges of mockery appear throughout Milton's major poetic works. Chapter Two analyzes the affective power of mockery in the Lady's resistance to temptations in A Mask Presented at Ludlow Castle. Chapters Three and Four focus on the role of divine mockery in the education of Adam in Paradise Lost. I first contextualize God's mockery of Satan within Raphael's pedagogical account of the war in heaven. Then I analyze Michael's emphasis on the affections in his preparation of Adam for the fallen condition. Chapter Five discusses exchanges of mockery between Satan and the Son in Paradise Regained. Through both patient and fervent responses to Satan's mockery, the Son expands his understanding of the messianic mission. The poem culminates in the Son's mocking defeat of the devil on the pinnacle that anticipates the Crucifixion. The sixth chapter explores the typological significance of the exchange of mockery between Samson and Harapha in Samson Agonistes, illuminating the regenerationist-revisionist controversy over the tragedy. Ultimately, the project shows that revisiting Milton's poetry with attention to mockery helps us reconsider critical issues in each major poem.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Zhang, Zeyi, 1994-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Donnelly, Phillip J. (Phillip Johnathan), 1969-

• John Milton.
• Mockery.
• Typology.
• Affection.
• Empowering function.
• Pedagogical function.
• Typological function.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13095

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13095