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bhall237's review against another edition
4.0
"On the other side Adam, soon as he heard
The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed,
Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill
Ran through his veins, and all his joints relaxed;
From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve
Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed:
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
First to himself he inward silence broke."
Similar to my reflections on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri or Beowulf by Unknown, it's hard to analyze or introduce new discourse to a work of literature so famous, especially with Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained reflecting on the Bible, that hasn't been discussed before. I find it more fun and constructive to reflect on what I enjoyed in reading, of which there is a lot to enjoy here.
In humanizing and shifting perspectives of many characters and events featured in the Bible, a massive undertaking, I found this to be one of the most beautiful epic poems to ever grace the medium of literature. The incredible detail and prose of dialogue from Milton flows like wine and doesn't stop from beginning to end. This was a long read, but one I would happily start again with just how much there is to consume and analyze in every facet.
The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed,
Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill
Ran through his veins, and all his joints relaxed;
From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve
Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed:
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
First to himself he inward silence broke."
Similar to my reflections on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri or Beowulf by Unknown, it's hard to analyze or introduce new discourse to a work of literature so famous, especially with Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained reflecting on the Bible, that hasn't been discussed before. I find it more fun and constructive to reflect on what I enjoyed in reading, of which there is a lot to enjoy here.
In humanizing and shifting perspectives of many characters and events featured in the Bible, a massive undertaking, I found this to be one of the most beautiful epic poems to ever grace the medium of literature. The incredible detail and prose of dialogue from Milton flows like wine and doesn't stop from beginning to end. This was a long read, but one I would happily start again with just how much there is to consume and analyze in every facet.
alanffm's review against another edition
5.0
A masterpiece. Beautiful, engaging, powerful. Milton's ability to refer to mythology is astounding and that ability adds so much more to the poem. This retelling of the fall of man and what came before it is so over the top that at times I felt it was fan fiction. Still beautifully written. Strongly recommend.
yevalovesdanmei's review against another edition
4.0
It would be a 5/5 if paradise regained was better. I agree with the way paradise lost portrays god. God is a tyrannical narcissist who created everything to fall. He provided his creations with the options to serve or have free will.
clayjs's review against another edition
5.0
Paradise Lost is bar-none the greatest work of literature in the English language, and I suspect it stands up pretty well against what the rest of the world has to offer. Milton took a handful of Bible verses and expanded them into 10,000 near-perfect lines on the nature of sin, temptation, good and evil. In it, he creates a powerfully sympathetic Lucifer, posits the single most persuasive argument for Human free-will ever attempted, and paints the fall of Man as the greatest tragedy of all time.
If there is argument about who the story's hero is, it is because the story is told so objectively. Every character is treated as though he has something to offer and a story worth telling. Lucifer plays martyr to what he sees as a battle for independence from Tyranny, and is martyred a second time in a heroic final strike against his oppressor. God's story is the tragedy of creating a being who he knows is destined to disappoint him. Eve's story is the tragedy of embracing her weakness in a desire to be stronger. And Adam is given the ultimate choice: to continue in Paradise alone or fall with the woman he loves. Every aspect of the story has the potential to resonate with every reader, and every line is a study in expression and verse. There is simply nothing better.
Paradise Regained, on the other hand, is probably actually better. That is its tragedy. It is not as accessible by half as Paradise Lost, it is not as exciting or as varied, and at barely a third the length, it still will not find as many readers. It is a more beautiful poem and an even more perfect expression of a great thinker's ideas and talent, but it does not have the reach or appeal of its companion piece. It is the Seventh Seal to Paradise Lost's Citizen Kane.
If you have not read Paradise Lost, read it. If your mind is still young, it can be difficult at first. Push through, it's worth it. Then read Paradise Regained, if not for yourself, for Milton. He would've wanted you to.
If there is argument about who the story's hero is, it is because the story is told so objectively. Every character is treated as though he has something to offer and a story worth telling. Lucifer plays martyr to what he sees as a battle for independence from Tyranny, and is martyred a second time in a heroic final strike against his oppressor. God's story is the tragedy of creating a being who he knows is destined to disappoint him. Eve's story is the tragedy of embracing her weakness in a desire to be stronger. And Adam is given the ultimate choice: to continue in Paradise alone or fall with the woman he loves. Every aspect of the story has the potential to resonate with every reader, and every line is a study in expression and verse. There is simply nothing better.
Paradise Regained, on the other hand, is probably actually better. That is its tragedy. It is not as accessible by half as Paradise Lost, it is not as exciting or as varied, and at barely a third the length, it still will not find as many readers. It is a more beautiful poem and an even more perfect expression of a great thinker's ideas and talent, but it does not have the reach or appeal of its companion piece. It is the Seventh Seal to Paradise Lost's Citizen Kane.
If you have not read Paradise Lost, read it. If your mind is still young, it can be difficult at first. Push through, it's worth it. Then read Paradise Regained, if not for yourself, for Milton. He would've wanted you to.
kimmyp11's review against another edition
4.0
I actually loved this text although it can be taxing at times.
nathanael_hastings's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25