- Paperback: 512 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Classic; New edition edition (Mar 30 2000)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0140424261
- ISBN-13: 978-0140424263
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 272 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #927,475 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
In the PENGUIN CLASSICS series, a new edition of the epic poem on the subject of the foundation of hell and the fall of man, written by the seventeenth century poet, John Milton. It contains a critical introduction and notes on unfamiliar words and any biblical, classical or historical allusions.
About the Author
John Milton (1608-1674) was educated at Cambridge. He left the university in 1632 and spent the next six years working on scholarly pursuits, during which time he wrote A Masque and Lycidas. A puritan supporter during the English Civil War, he wrote many political pamphlets and the famous prose piece in defense of freedom of the press, Areopagitica. His great poems were published later in life, including a ten--book version of Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, and Samson Agonistes, and later a twelve-book version of Paradise Lost.
John Leonard has taught at the universities of Cambridge, Ottawa, and Western Ontario. He is currently Professor of English at the University of Western Ontario.
John Leonard has taught at the universities of Cambridge, Ottawa, and Western Ontario. He is currently Professor of English at the University of Western Ontario.
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
See the fall from Hell's perspective,
This review is from: Penguin Classics Paradise Lost (Paperback)
In 1667, blind, thought to be at the end of his life, Milton composed one of the greatest epics in the English language. Much debated, much imitated, there no epics yet written that have equaled Paradise Lost. Milton wrote in blank verse (poetry without rhyme)that continues to amaze readers with his grasp of what the English language could do; only Shakespeare had a keener grasp.Divided in to twelve books, Paradise Lost starts off showing us a vision of hell quite different of Dante's in that Hell is described not so much a place but an environment one's self creates.("The mind is its own place, and in itself/ Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.)Throughout the first four books we see the fall, Heaven, Hell, all through Satan's perspective. The last eight books are centered on the parents of mankind Adam and Eve. Reader may find their own intentions and philosophies on life brought to the surface in reading this book; look to finding which side one sympathizes with: Heaven, Hell, or Adam and Eve? Milton shows his genius in getting each side's thought processes to the forefront. I remember in book X relating with Adam and Eve in their debate following the fall. Readers may find the language difficult, but if they have prepared themselves by reading a little of Shakespeare and a little of John Donne, it will be considerably easier. Don't allow the language to daunt you, it's worth it! As to which edition to buy, you have two options: if you're poor, (like me) you'll probably want to go with the Penguin edition; it has good notes, and the introduction is okay. If you have a bit more cash on you go with the Norton Critical Edition edited by Scott Elledge; it has excellent notes, and includes a wide body of analysis on Milton by many different authors. It's been a long time since I have come across a book that speaks to me so deeply. I will probably read this several more times. I recommend this to all readers that have the courage to plunge headlong into seventeenth century prose.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heaven and Hell,
By bixodoido (Utah, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Penguin Classics Paradise Lost (Paperback)
It is impossible to rate a classic like this. This epic poem about the Garden of Eden spans everything from the Creation of the world to the war in Heaven to Satan's fall into Hell, and also touches on the entire history of Israel. The poem is absolutely beautiful, and Adam and Eve are presented in such a way as to seem truly innocent before the fall and prone to sin after the fall (though they are also much wiser). Everything, from Satan's temptation to Adam and Eve being consumed by lust immediately after eating the fruit, is portrayed in a very remarkable and real way.This work is supremely enlightening, especially for Christian readers. Milton retains a touch of Classical mythology, yet integrates it in such a way as to fit into the Christian story. With this poem, Milton successfully equated himself with such masters of the epic as Homer and Virgil (which was his aim, as declared in book one). I cannot praise this epic or its sublime effect enough , so I will content myself by saying that this is one poem that everyone should read, for both its scholarly and its religious value. "The Mind is its own place, and in itself
5.0 out of 5 stars
Milton clearly ate from the Tree of Knowledge.,
By Declan "also_private" (Dublin., Leinster. Ireland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Penguin Classics Paradise Lost (Paperback)
I came to this work by Milton as a literary layman: I know next to nothing about the art of literature. I am also an atheist, to the core, yet this work, based entirely on Christianity, has much appeal for me. I think I can safely say that I've never come across so many convincing descriptions and arguments about various aspects of human nature, and they are arguments expressed in sometimes achingly beautiful verse. Nevertheless, I found this book very difficult; my memory (needed for long sentences) and my understanding were probably stretched to the limit. You've to be constantly on your mental toes, which is the reader's shortcoming, not the author's, it needn't be said. But it was entirely worth it, both for what I believe is my increased understanding or appreciation of some aspects of human nature, and for those moments when certain thoughts were expressed in certain ways. There is also an hilarious moment in this book between Satan and various Angels he is waging war against. I shall make a point of reading this book 3 or 4 more times in my life, and I think I shall enjoy it more each time. But you should know that it is very intellectual.
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
Most recent customer reviews |
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
