'''''"Paradise Lost''"''' is an epic poem by [[John Milton]], originally published in 1667. It describes [[Satan]] and the fall of man in 12 twelve books and was followed by a ''Paradise Regained'' in 1671 which described the temptations of [[Christ]]. Many contemporary scholars consider it the greatest modern epic and a valuable treatise on the nature of mankind as a faulted being. {{stub}}Milton followed up with "[[Paradise Regained]]" in 1671 which described the temptations of [[Christ]]. [[File:Blake-vi.jpg|250px|right]][[File:Blake-ix.jpg|250px|right]]== Quotations ==:Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit:Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste:Brought death into the world, and all our woe.... (I.1-3) :And justify the ways of God to men. (I.26) :The mind is its own place, and in itself:Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. (I.254-255) :Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven. (I.263) :All hell broke loose. (IV.918) :Earth felt the wound; and Nature from her seat,:Sighing through all her works, gave signs of woe:That all was lost. (IX.782-84) :Some natural tears they dropp’d, but wip’d them soon;:The world was all before them, where to choose:Their place of rest, and Providence their guide.:They hand in hand, with wand’ring steps and slow,:Through Eden took their solitary way. (XII.645-49) ==Further reading==* Bradford, Richard. ''The Complete Critical Guide to John Milton'' (2001) [http://www.questia.com/read/107429480?title=The%20Complete%20Critical%20Guide%20to%20John%20Milton online edition]* Richmond, H. ''The Christian Revolutionary: John Milton'' (1974)* Wedgwood, C.V. '' Milton and his world'' (1969) good introduction* [http://www.questia.com/library/literature/literature-of-specific-countries/british-literature/17th-century/john-milton.jsp online books and articles on Milton] ===Primary sources===*[http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/intro/index.shtml ''Paradise Lost''] text and commentary from Dartmouth College ==External links==* [http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2008/12/09/interview-with-leland-ryken-about/ "An Interview with Leland Ryken about Milton’s Paradise Lost" ''The Gospel Center'' Dec. 9, 2008] Ryken is professor at Wheaton College, an Evangelical center * [http://oyc.yale.edu/english/milton "Milton" with Professor John Rogers] complete Yale course on Milton; 24 lectures; full text and video online free* [https://librivox.org/search?q=paradise%20lost&search_form=advanced Paradise Lost], by John Milton - Audiobook at [[LibriVox]] [[Category:Puritans]][[Category:Epic Poetry]][[Category:English Literature]]