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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This is definitely a literary work that grows on you. To be honest, I didn't care for it the first time I read it. But, since I was reading it for school, I had to re-read it multiple times. Each time I read it I came up with more theories and analysis for what I believed Milton was trying to say about each of the characters.
I think the most interesting of all the characters is Satan. I could go into great detail over what I believe Milton's portrayal of him signifies, but the bottom line is that Paradise Lost is a piece that can be enjoyed by the religious and pagan alike.
Great story that opens up a lot of discussions!
I think the most interesting of all the characters is Satan. I could go into great detail over what I believe Milton's portrayal of him signifies, but the bottom line is that Paradise Lost is a piece that can be enjoyed by the religious and pagan alike.
Great story that opens up a lot of discussions!
This was an extremely hefty book considering it was the first epic poem I've tackled in my own time, but it was overall pretty enjoyable when I worked out what he was saying!
I really don't think I need an explanation as to why i didnt finish this...
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism
I took a whole class on Milton, 90% of which discussed this epic so I have A LOT of feelings. Milton somehow made me think about a story I’ve known my whole life in such a completely different way. A lot of that definitely has to do with the context of my reading, which is at a historically women’s college and everyone who is reading this poem would not have been reading and studying it when it was written. There were definitely parts I didn’t love—long epic catalogues, allusions to stories I don’t know, Adam’s misogyny, especially in the last few books. But I loved so much of Milton’s prose, and picking apart this book with a fine tooth comb made me have a deep appreciation for it. Also shout out to my professor who won’t read this but who made reading this epic what it was for me. Just, yeah. It’s one of those books that I never really thought I would like, but I’m very proud I can say I’ve read it now.
Beautiful language and an epic scope, fascinating like how with Dante's Divine Comedy, the images conjured by Milton became intertwined with the common conception of Biblical lore even among people of faith, much like the visual depictions by Renaissance painters of the time. However, a lot of what makes the novel interesting seems bogged down by the familiarity of the tale, the politics among the divine characters that often yields little new information despite the poeticism. Still, these stories and myths of the origin had never been so vivid, and Milton brought real life to events only alluded to by the ancient texts.
Epic poetry is so underrated and underutilized today! This is so much better at painting a picture in my head. That said, this may be lost on a large portion of readers. The words used are not common in modern day America, and the comparisons to ancient civilizations may be too obscure for some. Additionally, there are frequent spelling differences that may confuse. For me, this is just beautiful and the story is captivating.
I think Milton's Satan is one of the best characters I have ever had the pleasure of analyzing. That being said I fucking hate Milton's prose style, and that's all I've got on this one.