Paradise Lost
by John Milton
Paradise Lost is considered to be John Milton’s “major work,” and it helped to solidify his reputation as one of the greatest English poets of his time. Paradise Lost reflected Milton’s personal despair, yet affirmed an ultimate optimism in human potential.
Recommendations from our site
“Paradise Lost is a homecoming story of marital breakup and martial reunion, just as the Odyssey is. They’re also both epics about redefining a community in the wake of a devastating war, and about whether there will ever be an end to war.” Read more...
Emily Wilson, Classicist
“Milton’s astonishing intervention in the Adam and Eve story includes thinking how it was possible—not for ignorant children, but knowing, thoughtful, complex human beings in a relationship with one another—to do what they did.” Read more...
The best books on Adam and Eve
Stephen Greenblatt, Literary Scholar