Book Review: Paradise Lost by John Milton
Paradise Lost is a 17th century epic poem from British writer John Milton. It is a romantic retelling of the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden partly told from the perspective of Satan and God in heaven. Put simply this is a beautiful work. The language is so exquisite and meticulously crafted. No fan of classical poetry should skip this. If you’re not a language nerd, it may be a bit of a tough read. Still it is worth powering through for the theology and character ideas.
I especially loved the characterization of Satan. The moment when he is hovering over the Garden of Eden watching Adam and Eve in their bliss and he experiences genuine remorse — this was really powerful. The idea that his greatest sin was despair, the sin that makes forgiveness impossible, makes him sympathetic in a way. We see that Hell is not just a place but actually something that Satan carries with him everywhere he goes. This is metaphorically true for many people.
Adam and Eve were both presented as tragic characters with their unique flaws and accountability regarding the Fall. There are some biblical gender differences here modern audiences may not love. Perhaps most interesting is the presentation of God the Father and the Son, both of whom play big roles in the Creation and the war in heaven with Satan. Paradise Lost is a very rich work for devout Christians and also a beautiful dramatic piece of literature for non-believers. Read this and get some culture.
Grade: A+
