A preface to Paradise lost

by C. S. Lewis

Hardcover, 1942

Status

Available

Call number

821.4 LEW

Genres

Nonfiction

Description

C. S. Lewis's illuminating reflections on Milton's Paradise Lost, the seminal classic that profoundly influenced Christian thought as well as Lewis's own. In Preface to Paradise Lost, the Christian apologist and revered scholar and professor of literature closely examines the style, content, structure, and themes of Milton's masterpiece, a retelling of the biblical story of the Fall of Humankind, Satan's temptation, and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Considering the story within the context of the Western literary tradition, Lewis offers invaluable insights into Paradise Lost and the nature of literature itself, unveiling the poem's beauty and its wisdom. Lewis explains and defends the literary form known as "Epic," pondering simple yet perceptive questions such as: What is an Epic? Why, in the seventeenth century, did Milton choose to write his story in this style? In what sense is Paradise Lost similar to the Homeric poems or the Anglo Saxon Beowulf? In what sense did Milton develop Virgil's legacy? With the clarity of thought and style that are the hallmarks of his writing, Lewis provides answers with a lucidity and lightness that deepens our understanding of this literary form and both illuminates Milton's immortal epic and its meaning and inspires readers to revisit it. Ultimately, he reminds us why elements including ritual, splendor, and joy deserve to exist and hold a sacred place in human life. One of Lewis's most revered scholarly works, Preface to Paradise Lost is indispensable for literature, philosophy, and religion scholars and for ardent fans of Lewis's writings.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Deinonychus

This delightful piece of criticism is a reminder of not just why Paradise Lost is one of the great works of literature, but why C. S. Lewis was one of the great literary critics. Lewis surveys the whole sweep of epic poetry from Homer onwards in the introductory chapters which lay the groundwork

for his discussion of Milton's work itself. Having established what Milton was trying to achieve in his poem, Lewis concisely addresses some of the main areas of controversy that have arisen from criticism of the work through the centuries. For the most part these deal with Milton's theology and his supposed heterodoxy - Lewis is clear to distinguish between ideas that Milton held and those he actually propounded in Paradise Lost. There are also brief discussions of angels, Adam and Eve, prelapsarian sex and the wisdom of Milton's attempting to portray it, and the fall itself.

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LibraryThing member The_Hibernator

In this preface, Lewis first outlines what an epic poem is and what Milton was trying to do with Paradise Lost. Then he discusses his views on how Milton's theology played a role in this epic. Lewis debunks the view that Milton had compassion for Satan. It was a good introduction, which I read

before the poem because I thought it might help me comprehend the poem while I'm reading it. It was helpful, though it managed to make me more skeptical that I'll comprehend Paradise Lost.

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