Difference between revisions of "Paradise Lost"

Revision as of 05:01, December 29, 2010

"Paradise Lost" is an epic poem by John Milton, originally published in 1667. It describes Satan and the fall of man in twelve books. Many contemporary scholars consider it the greatest modern epic and a valuable treatise on the nature of mankind as a faulted being.

Milton followed up with "Paradise Regained" in 1671 which described the temptations of Christ.

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) online edition
• Richmond, H. The Christian Revolutionary: John Milton (1974)
• Wedgwood, C.V. Milton and his world‎ (1969) good introduction
• online books and articles on Milton

Primary sources

• Paradise Lost text and commentary from Dartmouth College

External links

• "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
• "Milton" with Professor John Rogers complete Yale course on Milton; 24 lectures; full text and video online free