Oh my! How does one review a book like Paradise Lost?
I guess one might say that it's epic. ~smile~ Interestingly enough, I have never read Paradise Lost. I took Brit Lit in high school and majored in English in college. I cannot remember it ever being assigned. Who knows why?
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Paradise Lost John Milton |
Paradise Lost begins with Satan addressing the other fallen angels, chronicles the creation of sky, earth, animals, and man, then describes life in Eden, the conversations between God and man, between the the arch angel Rafael and man, and finally the fall, and the results from the fall.
One phrase that stuck with me is that God created man sufficient to stand and free to fall.
It is a highly imagined, dare I say fantasized, story expounding upon a few short verses in the Bible. It is how Milton thought it all could have come about.
It is obvious that Milton knew his Bible. It is also obvious that he had meditated on the scriptures in great depth. While there are no doubt inaccuracies in the poem, it has greatly influence church culture.
I read this book as part of Hillsdale College's free course on Paradise Lost. I don't think that I would have understood nearly as much without the course; because, it's sometimes hard to follow the narrative, and frankly, it is a bit boring in places.
Google Hillsdale College for the course if you'd like. I'm enjoying the courses I've taken for free. I started with A Christmas Carol, then Paradise Lost; and now, I'm studying Western Heritage from Genesis to John Locke.
This year, I am continuing my education. At 59, I don't care about credits or grades. This way of learning is stirring a passion for academia that has been dormant for many, many years. It feels good.
How and what are you learning?
I was very happy to finish school when I did and have NO desire to study for grades or, especially, take tests ever again. I get too anxiety ridden. I have no idea why. I graduated HS in the upper 10% of my class of 493 students. I just have always worried about tests.
ReplyDeleteNow, what I DO like, is learning new knitting stitches, etc. I love to make things for other people that are useful and warm. :-) I guess I'm not curious enough, but I do like to read books but it's for pleasure only, if you don't count the Bible. That's pleasure and learning.
Blessings and hugs,
Betsy
I love learning those things, too. The Bible is the most important, of course. I like these Hillsdale courses, because they're free, and they're not for a grade! No credits, of course, but I don't need that at my age anyway. ~smile~ The important part is to challenge my mind and keep the old brain thinking!
DeleteThank you so much for writing to me Betsy!
My favorite thing to knit is socks. What is your favorite?
Your long-distance friend,
Laura
Kudos to you for continuing your education. Impressive! I am trying to take ASL classes on line but have gotten a bit discouraged. I think I need to get back at it:)
ReplyDeleteIt's a big undertaking to learn a new language. I'm working on Duolingo Spanish. It's a long process. There are zillions of words.
DeleteI encourage you to keep at it if you have a use for it. Be encouraged! Laura
I have started reading poetry. Right now I am reading The Essential Wordsworth, complied by Seamus Heaney. Wordsworth is a fitting name for him! I have to take it in small chunks, he's quite, well... wordy. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I read Wordsworth, I have forgotten his writing style. Let me know what you think as you read. I may just have to check it out this spring or summer. My winter reading list will finally be published February 1.
DeleteEnjoy!
Laura