Paradise Lost (Penguin Classics)
John Milton's celebrated epic poem exploring the cosmological, moral and spiritual origins of man's existence
A Penguin Classic
In Paradise Lost Milton produced poem of epic scale, conjuring up a vast, awe-inspiring cosmos and ranging across huge tracts of space and time, populated by a memorable gallery of grotesques. And yet, in putting a charismatic Satan and naked, innocent Adam and Eve at the centre of this story, he also created an intensely human tragedy on the Fall of Man. Written when Milton was in his fifties - blind, bitterly disappointed by the Restoration and in danger of execution - Paradise Lost's apparent ambivalence towards authority has led to intense debate about whether it manages to 'justify the ways of God to men', or exposes the cruelty of Christianity.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
A Penguin Classic
In Paradise Lost Milton produced poem of epic scale, conjuring up a vast, awe-inspiring cosmos and ranging across huge tracts of space and time, populated by a memorable gallery of grotesques. And yet, in putting a charismatic Satan and naked, innocent Adam and Eve at the centre of this story, he also created an intensely human tragedy on the Fall of Man. Written when Milton was in his fifties - blind, bitterly disappointed by the Restoration and in danger of execution - Paradise Lost's apparent ambivalence towards authority has led to intense debate about whether it manages to 'justify the ways of God to men', or exposes the cruelty of Christianity.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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Community Reviews
What can I say? Simply that this is my favourite Satanic Epic of all time. Everyone with an interest in the “Left Hand Path”, or poetry in general, should definitely read it.
It is really hard to give this text a rating as to me it is more of a theological piece of literature, but that being said I will rate it a 3 for a few different reasons. I think that the way that Milton used his religious and political beliefs to write a story was very genius and that there were some very remarkable scenes in the story. The way he connected everything in the story together, from characters to themes to places, was very solid and his imagining of what Paradise and the universe look like was interesting to read.
However, I do deduct points because there are parts in the story where Milton's own beliefs and prejudices (mainly misogyny) get in his own way of the story he is trying to tell. Some things did not mesh together well and although sometimes he would say one thing, he would say something else that negated the first statement. For example, Milton believed no one person should come in between a person's relationship with God (even a priest), yet he says that Adam (men) has a direct relationship to God and that Eve (women) does not and instead worships God through her relationship with Adam. I also think that the pacing was not very stable, as the first few books were slow, the middle was fast, and then the last book was very long-winded when getting to the point.
I would not recommend this book as a casual read as it was hard to grasp without the help of my professor but if you are into theological readings or early literature then it is still an interesting story!
However, I do deduct points because there are parts in the story where Milton's own beliefs and prejudices (mainly misogyny) get in his own way of the story he is trying to tell. Some things did not mesh together well and although sometimes he would say one thing, he would say something else that negated the first statement. For example, Milton believed no one person should come in between a person's relationship with God (even a priest), yet he says that Adam (men) has a direct relationship to God and that Eve (women) does not and instead worships God through her relationship with Adam. I also think that the pacing was not very stable, as the first few books were slow, the middle was fast, and then the last book was very long-winded when getting to the point.
I would not recommend this book as a casual read as it was hard to grasp without the help of my professor but if you are into theological readings or early literature then it is still an interesting story!
What can I say? Simply; this is favourite Epic. A thrilling and challenging delve into an underworld of Milton’s dark and devout mind.To the most pious we fall prey on this occasion.
Anyone interested in Poetry or Satanic Themes should definitely read it.
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