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joshuahedlund 's review for:
Paradise Lost
by John Milton
Yes, it’s hard to read (tho footnotes help a lot and the summaries on cliffnotes.com are really really good). Yes, some of it is weird and outdated (tho often in interesting ways). But there’s a reason it’s considered the greatest epic of the English language. Besides the wonderful turns of phrase in the marching rhythm of iambic pentameter, the elaborations of the cosmic story of creation (whether literal, hypothetical, metaphorical, or otherwise) are simply brilliant, and while some of it has likely influenced Western theology I was surprised how much of it was not at all familiar to me. While some of the physical action was unexpectedly intense (the rebel angels invent cannons in their war against heaven!), I most admired the remarkable dialogues, exploring all sorts of fascinating character nuances and motivations.
From the clever demonic council debates in Book II, to Satan’s introspective reflections and witty verbal exchanges with angels in Book IV, to his diabolical deception of Eve in Book IX (he says the tree gave him the power of speech!), to Adam and Eve’s bitter argument and then their mega-depression and suicidal despair in Book X (they consider not bearing children since they will be cursed and might hate them for it), to the trippy vision of the future Michael gives Adam at the end, and much much more, I was continually amazed by how fitting the characters emotions and reactions were and yet how simultaneously original these forgotten five hundred year old ideas felt. So timeless and brilliant. It’s definitely worth the bit of struggle.
From the clever demonic council debates in Book II, to Satan’s introspective reflections and witty verbal exchanges with angels in Book IV, to his diabolical deception of Eve in Book IX (he says the tree gave him the power of speech!), to Adam and Eve’s bitter argument and then their mega-depression and suicidal despair in Book X (they consider not bearing children since they will be cursed and might hate them for it), to the trippy vision of the future Michael gives Adam at the end, and much much more, I was continually amazed by how fitting the characters emotions and reactions were and yet how simultaneously original these forgotten five hundred year old ideas felt. So timeless and brilliant. It’s definitely worth the bit of struggle.