Anybody read John Milton's Paradise Lost?

Question

is it ridiculously long or unbearable? would you recommend it?

Answer 1

Yes, I have read it, but it took work. Reading some books is a relaxing activity like taking a walk around the block every evening. Reading others is more like climbing a mountain. The mountain is much more difficult, but you have a greater sense of accomplishment when you are done. If you are a good reader and have a general knowledge of Christian doctrines and classical literature, and don't mind struggling a little, you should give it a try. If your copy does not have good footnotes, Dartmouth has a well-annotated online version at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/intro/index.shtml.

Answer 2

I've read most of it in college. It is fairly long, but the most difficult part is Milton's way of speaking. His sentences are long and meandering. It's hard to keep up with all the clauses. But if you keep pushing on, eventually you will understand what Milton is trying to convey.

That said, it's a good story. There are parts that seem scandlous, like the conference of demons. The Garden of Eden scene is rich in detail and contains many interesting ideas.

Basically, it's worth it to give Paradise Lost a shot. If you don't understand everything, don't worry--you'll understand enough, even without extensive biblical training. It really is beautiful writing. And you can impress people by saying you read it :)

Answer 3

I've tried it three times and gave up on it. The book I have is a pocket book of 313 pages and altogether at the bottom of the pages are 797 notes just for Book 1 explaining what he is talking about and altogether there are 12 Books. I found it too hard for even my 'super intelligence' to follow!!!!
However the write up on the back cover says 'Paradise Lost conveys with clarity and vision an overall image of Creation and has deservedly become one of the greatest epics in any language'.. So give it a try.
(ps. The book I have is a Penguin Popular Classic)

Answer 4

The first part was hard for me to get through.

But then after that I loved it. He tried to give accounts as to what was going through the minds of Adam, Eve, Satan and many others. At the time of his writing, man kind knows that planets are round and evolve around the sun - but they understanding of how exactly it happens is not quite what we have today. It is interesting to see the way he words things.

It would help if you are familiar with the bible and Greek Mythology. Milton makes a lot of reference to greek myths scripture. If you are not familar with them - I would suggest having the bible, the iliad and the odyssy near by. It is not that he was trying to be snobby, it is just that these works were quoted a lot more in his day.

I highly reccomend it! And it is pretty short actually.

Answer 5

I read it in high school. It is a tough read. It's not unbearable but you will probably need to look up a lot of stuff in order to understand it, I did. A few years later i came across a copy that had explanations and references on the next page. That helped. I read it after high school to enjoy it more. In high school I was worried about papers and tests. It is tough to get through but it's worth it.

Answer 6

I read a big part of it, at University.

At the beginning it was a bit of a pain, until you get use to it, and then, when you get used to the style, and you understand how you are meant to read it (with the help of a Bible, mythology...there are lots of referencies, and to understand it you really need to find out), then it becomes very addictive, its a challenge.

A very long riddle to decipher.

Answer 7

Not unless you are going to get college credit for it.

Answer 8

I've heard it's good. It's sitting on my shelf, but I have never read it.

Answer 9

No.
Yes.
No.

Answer 10

no