John Milton: His Poetry and Life: Special References to Paradise Lost (Volumes I and II)

John Milton’s work is marked by cosmic themes and lofty religious idealism; it reveals an astonishing breadth of learning and command of the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew classics. His blank verse is of remarkable variety and richness, so skillfully modulated and flexible that it has been compared to organ tones. The publication, to begin with introduces the reader to John Milton’s life and poetry with a critical preview of his life and character. Proceeding chapters enter to his theory and teachings and discuss his famous pamphlet on divorce. Next, John Milton’s politics and writing of pamphlets is focused with his literary occupation and religious opinions with abridged reproduction of Dr. Samuel Johnson’s commentary about the great poet’s life and work. Before taking Paradise Lost into view, a peep into John Milton’s earlier poetry is devoted in a separate chapter. The critical review of "Paradise Lost" is spread over many chapters discussing the content, genre and style. A separate chapter gives the account of comments by Romantics on Milton’s Satan. The closing chapter gives a summed up note on the epic poem.