Milton and the death of man
Book Description
Harold Skulsky presents a fascinating exploration of how one of literature's greatest spiritual epics challenged the very foundations of Renaissance thought. This scholarly investigation places John Milton's Paradise Lost at the center of a pivotal moment in European intellectual history, around 1650, when traditional humanistic beliefs began their gradual decline.
Skulsky argues that Milton's ambitious attempt to justify divine justice through classical epic poetry was far more revolutionary than previously recognized. The author identifies three distinct ways Milton's approach broke new ground, each representing a significant departure from established literary and philosophical traditions. Through detailed historical analysis and careful interpretation, the book traces how Paradise Lost emerged as something entirely unexpected in the landscape of humanistic literature.
The study unfolds across three comprehensive sections, each dedicated to examining one aspect of Milton's groundbreaking innovation. Skulsky's investigation reveals the complex tensions between Milton's theological objectives and his artistic methods, showing how the poet navigated uncharted territory in his quest to reconcile divine justice with human understanding.
Perhaps most intriguingly, Skulsky concludes that Paradise Lost's apparent failure as a traditional defense of God's ways paradoxically becomes the source of its enduring artistic triumph. This thought-provoking analysis offers readers interested in spiritual literature a deeper understanding of how creative works can transcend their original intentions to achieve unexpected forms of meaning and beauty.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 262 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Histoire et critique
- ✓ Explore Philosophie
- ✓ Explore God in literature
- ✓ Explore Poésie épique anglaise
- ✓ Explore Free will and determinism in literature
- ✓ Explore Milton, john, 1608-1674, paradise lost
- ✓ Explore English Christian poetry
