The Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri · Medieval · Epic, allegory
Early Modern · Epic poetry
Paradise Lost
by John Milton. Milton retells humanity’s fall through Satan’s rebellion and Adam and Eve’s disobedience, defending divine justice and freedom.
Find a print edition
Browse Bookshop.org's current catalog to choose an available edition.
Some purchase links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
- Date
- 1667
- Origin
- England
- Era
- Early Modern
- Genre
- Epic poetry
- Canon tier
- Essential core
- Difficulty
- Very challenging
- Length
- Long
- Collection
- The Western Canon
Subjects and themes
Why it matters
Milton retells humanity’s fall through Satan’s rebellion and Adam and Eve’s disobedience, defending divine justice and freedom.
This work is included on the basis of great books / bloom / harvard. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.
Related works
The Aeneid
Virgil · Ancient · Epic poetry
Reading paths featuring Paradise Lost
Continue through a deliberately ordered journey that places this work in conversation with others.
Essential 100
A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.
Great Epics
Seven foundational journeys through kingship, war, homecoming, empire, exile, salvation, and rebellion. 7 books · Intermediate.