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"... for the mind and spirit remains/ invincible, and vigor soon returns,/ Though all our glory extinct, and happy state/ Here swallowed up in endless misery."

A. A sonnet by Shakespeare
B. An excerpt from "Paradise Lost"
C. An excerpt from "Faust"
D. An excerpt from "Ode to a Nightingale"

User James Daly
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

The excerpt is from John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost", characterized by its themes of downfall and redemption and a distinct style that differs from Shakespearean sonnets, Goethe's "Faust", or Keats's "Ode to a Nightingale".

Step-by-step explanation:

The excerpt provided by the student is from the renowned epic poem Paradise Lost by John Milton. It does not match the sonnet formula typically associated with Shakespeare, nor does it align with the thematic or stylistic elements found in the works of Goethe or Keats, which rules out the options of Faust and Ode to a Nightingale. The excerpt reflects Miltonic themes of downfall and redemption, fitting the narrative of Paradise Lost where human glory is contrasted with the experience of misery and the resilience of the spirit.

The puzzling frame and style of the passage do not adhere to the structures of a Shakespearean sonnet, as those are characterized by a distinctive rhyme scheme (ABAB CDCD EFEF GG) and usually do not delve into the profound theological or philosophical discourse as does Paradise Lost. The excerpt's reference to 'glory extinct' and 'endless misery' aligns well with Milton's explorations of the fall of man and its consequences, thus identifying it as an excerpt from "Paradise Lost".

In conclusion, the text provided by the student is most accurately an excerpt from Milton's "Paradise Lost", which can be recognized by its thematic considerations and distinct Miltonic style.

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