Paradise Lost (Dover Thrift Editions: Poetry)

Immerse yourself in the extraordinary beauty and profound insights of Paradise Lost. This masterpiece continues to captivate readers with its poetic brilliance and thought-provoking exploration of good and evil, free will, and the nature of rebellion.
First published in 1667, Paradise Lost is considered the greatest epic poem in English literature. Its roots lie in the Genesis account of the world’s creation and Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden; it also references tales from the Metamorphoses, the Iliad and Odyssey, and the Aeneid.
Classic Epic: Paradise Lost, authored by John Milton, is a renowned 17th-century epic that draws upon Bible stories and classical mythology to explore the meaning of existence as understood by people of the Western world. Historical Roots: The poem’s roots lie in the Genesis account of the world’s creation and the first humans, offering a unique perspective on the biblical narrative. Its Focus is a Poetic Interpretation: “Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit / Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste / Brought death into the world, and all our woe / With loss of Eden.” Literary References: Paradise Lost incorporates references to tales from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, and Virgil’s Aeneid, showcasing Milton’s wide-ranging knowledge and poetic craftsmanship. Character Portrayal: The poem features a powerful and sympathetic portrait of Lucifer (Satan), the rebel angel who often captivates readers with his charisma and moral complexity. With Milton’s deft use of irony, the devil makes evil appear good, just as satanic practices may seem attractive at first glance. Influence and Legacy: Paradise Lost has enormously influenced generations of artists, from Romantic poets like William Blake and Percy Bysshe Shelley to composers like Joseph Haydn’s oratorio The Creation. Its impact can even be seen in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Accessible and Appreciated: Readers need not be classical scholars to appreciate Paradise Lost. Its imaginative language and thought-provoking themes make it a timeless and engaging work for a wide range of readers.
The Dover Thrift Editions library of classic literature is a top choice for teachers, students, librarians, and recreational readers around the world. With over 700 titles available in classic fiction, nonfiction, plays, and poetry, and some priced as low as $2.50, Dover publishes an impressive selection of authors from Aristotle to Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Frederick Douglass, Ernest Hemingway, Plato, Mary Shelley, Walt Whitman, William Shakespeare, and many others.