Both Uses of
Paradise Lost
in
Frankenstein - 1831 version
- Fortunately the books were written in the language, the elements of which I had acquired at the cottage; they consisted of Paradise Lost, a volume of Plutarch's Lives, and the Sorrows of Werter.†
p. 130.6
- But Paradise Lost excited different and far deeper emotions.†
p. 132.3 *
Definition:
admired Milton epic poem of original sin (1667)
Milton's goal was to write an epic poem in English that would be comparable to Homer's Odyssey. He said the poem was to "justify the ways of God to men" -- to explain the apparent conflict between God's eternal foresight and free will.
Milton was blind when he dictated the over 80,000 word poem in blank verse; i.e., unrhymed iambic pentameter (10-syllable lines with every other syllable stressed).
The poem is challenging to read, but even those who have not read it are often familiar with some of its lines such as:
Better to reign in hell, than serve in heav'n.
The mind is its own place, and in it self
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
…who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
In 1671 Milton published a sequel, Paradise Regained about Jesus' triumphant resistance to Satan's temptation.
Milton was blind when he dictated the over 80,000 word poem in blank verse; i.e., unrhymed iambic pentameter (10-syllable lines with every other syllable stressed).
The poem is challenging to read, but even those who have not read it are often familiar with some of its lines such as:
Better to reign in hell, than serve in heav'n.
The mind is its own place, and in it self
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
…who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.
In 1671 Milton published a sequel, Paradise Regained about Jesus' triumphant resistance to Satan's temptation.