Milton: Paradise Lost (Landmarks of World Literature

by David Loewenstein

Offering a stimulating introduction to one of the most influential texts of Western literature, this book highlights Milton's imaginative daring, in considering the heretical dimensions of Paradise Lost and its theology. It situates Milton's great poem in its literary, religious, and political contexts and includes an extremely useful and newly updated guide to further reading. First Edition Hb (1993): 0-521-39303-5 First Edition Pb (1993): 0-521-39899-1

Genres: Poetry

158 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 1993

Reviews

[Laurel Hicks]

An excellent discussion of Milton's epic. I especially appreciated the perspective on Milton's Satan and on the unfortunate nature of the Fall. I highly recommend this brief book to anyone who is reading or has read Paradise Lost.

[Sohail]

This book is a good critical introduction, meant for university students. Of course you're supposed to have read Paradise Lost before, because there are too many direct references to the text.

My only compliant is the structure of the second chapter. It's a very long chapter that goes on and on and on—non-stop—making it an exhaustive marathon.

[Richard]

Useful guide to Milton's life and the narrative structure of the book. For instance, I would have otherwise been disconcerted by the fact that Paradise Lost opens with Satan and his buddies waking up in hell, having lost the battle for heaven. So where is the description of that battle?