Milton’s Paradise Lost
Milton’s Paradise Lost was the first “great book” to lay its claim on me.
I was about 13, it was a perfect French summer, and a retired professor and his wife traveled to France with a work crew to work at the school my father founded (the first ACCS school in Europe). They weren’t up for the manual labor due to their age, so they taught the missionary kids: my brother and me.
I wanted to be outside, climbing a tree.
But I had a good attitude, and showed up bright and early with my brother, pencils sharpened, for our two-week Milton intensive.
The kind, jovial, white-haired professor briefly told us about the background of Paradise Lost, and handed us the Massive Tome. With what must have been wide eyes at the sheer heft of the book, I thanked him, and sat down. I was a slow reader as it was.
And then a moment I will never forget. He began to read.
With a masculine voice and cadence, and tangible love for every word, he began the great “adventurous song” of John Milton.
Epic poetry grabbed the heart and soul of a 13-year old boy in that moment. It wasn’t the curriculum (there was none). It wasn’t the explanation of how important the work was. It wasn’t because I was the bookish type (I wasn’t).
It was that hard to define infectious love, and—dare I say, Patriotism, the kind that makes men sign up for war. If Patriotism is love of family and the land (Livy)–of one's inheritance–then this could rightly be called a stirring of patriotism.
It was a call to arms for a cosmic battle bigger than myself. A reminder that I belong to this great company of Christendom, and was an heir of the West. I was being shown Pemberly and told it was mine to inherit. And I wanted to inherit it.
Our motto at Roman Roads Press is “Inherit the Humanities.” This is what we mean.
It is therefore with great personal joy that we release this beautiful edition of Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained, with a new introduction by Joe Carlson, and its accompanying Reader's guide, which guides students through each book with a pastoral approach.
MiltonPoem.com
Have you ever wondered how brilliant minds like John Milton structured their vast knowledge and ideas? I recently stumbled upon the concept of a 'commonplace book,' and it totally changed my perspective on how intellectual giants of the past worked! Essentially, a commonplace book was like a personal database or scrapbook where scholars would jot down quotes, observations, arguments, and ideas from their readings. Milton, known for his incredible erudition, meticulously kept one. Imagine him, pouring over ancient texts, then carefully transcribing passages that resonated, categorized by theme, ready to be woven into his epic narratives. For me, this makes his writing feel even more intentional and deeply rooted in a rich tapestry of thought. While Paradise Lost itself isn't a commonplace book, knowing Milton's method helps me understand the sheer depth of its allusions and philosophical arguments. It's like his mind was a living commonplace book, constantly drawing on biblical, classical, and historical sources to build his grand narrative of a 'celestial battle' and 'falling angels.' Each vivid scene, like the 'dramatic painting of angels in battle' I saw on the new edition's cover, feels like it stems from a lifetime of collected wisdom. This brings me to the 'que significa'—what does Paradise Lost truly mean for us today? Beyond the incredible poetry and the story of Adam and Eve, it delves into profound questions of freedom, obedience, temptation, and redemption. For me, rereading it isn't just about literary appreciation; it's about grappling with universal human experiences. It reminds me of the struggle between good and evil, and the choices we make every day. The article mentioned 'inheriting the Humanities,' and it really hit home. It's not just about passively receiving knowledge, but actively engaging with these foundational texts. Understanding the complexities of Paradise Lost helps us understand ourselves and our culture better. Sometimes, I find it overwhelming, but having resources like a good 'Reader's Guide,' similar to the one that accompanies the new 'Paradise Lost & Paradise Regained' edition by Joe Carlson (which looks amazing!), can make all the difference. I even checked out MiltonPoem.com for more insights! So, whether you're contemplating starting your own intellectual commonplace book or just want to dive into *Paradise Lost*, remember that engaging with these classics is a journey of discovery. It's about finding personal meaning in the 'radiant angel descending' or the profound speeches of Satan. It's truly an experience that continues to shape my understanding of the world.
