Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost


Paradise Lost (1667) remains one of the cornerstones of English literature. Milton's stated purpose for writing the epic poem was "to justify the existence of God and man." No wonder it took ten books with over ten thousand lines of verse. More incredible still, Milton was completely blind when he composed it. [Published here as a book, rather than as a poem, to allow readers to study its verses, one book at a time. Engravings by Gustave Dore, 1866]
Featured in our collection, Poetry for the Well-Read Student

Need a study break? You might enjoy how Mark Twain portrays God, man, woman, and original sin in his short stories: Eve's Diary and Extracts from Adam's Diary

John Milton, Paradise Lost frontisJohn Milton, Paradise Lost illustration by Gustave Dore, Satan, 1866


Table of Contents

Book I

Book II

Book III

Book IV

Book V

Book VI

Book VII

Book VIII

Book IX

Book X

Return to the John Milton library.

© 2022 AmericanLiterature.com