A Preface to Paradise LostSince its publication in 1942, C.S. Lewis's A Preface to Paradise Lost has remained and continues to remain an indispensable introductory book for the study of Paradise Lost. Very briefly, but with remarkable clarity and precision, Lewis touches on all the important aspects of Paradise Lost: form and technique, structure and texture, theological disputes and characterization etc. Lewis believes that a poem is a public activity through which the poet intends to move his readers. It is, therefore, extremely important to know the intention of the poet, to know what the poem is, what it was intended to do and how it is meant to be used. Accordingly, Lewis tries to identify the originally intended meaning of the poem in order to help the reader to have an access to Milton's intentions. In the process, the Elizabethan world order, the contemporary theological issues, the differences between De Doctrina and Paradise Lost, critical opinions on Milton's style, diction and characterizations particularly Satan, Eve, the angels and Satan's followers, are all brought to bear on his discussions in the Preface. The book is a must for any student of Paradise Lost. |
Contents
Epic Poetry | 1 |
Is Criticism Possible? | 9 |
The Technique of Primary Epic | 19 |
The Subject of Primary Epic | 29 |
xii | 35 |
The Style of Secondary Epic | 38 |
Defence of This Style | 49 |
Milton and St Augustine | 63 |
The Mistake about Miltons Angels | 103 |
Adam and Eve | 110 |
Unfallen Sexuality | 116 |
The Fall | 119 |
Conclusion | 123 |
Hierarchy | 129 |
Notes on Certain Passages | 132 |
135 | |
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Common terms and phrases
actual Adam already angels answer appears become begins believe better body Book called certainly character Christian comes course criticism described Divine doctrine doubt earth elements epic equal evil exist expected experience expression fact Fall Father feel give given hand happy heart Heaven Hell Homer human idea images imagination important interested kind less light live look matter means merely Milton mind natural never object once original Paradise Lost passage passion perfect perhaps picture poem poet poetical poetry possible present produce Professor question reader reality reason response rule Satan seems seen sense sexual simply soul sound speaks specially speech spirit story style suggest suppose tells things thought true trying turn understand universe Virgil virtue whole writing