A Preface to Milton: Revised Edition

by Lois Potter

Book Overview

A highly readable and illustrated introduction to the work of Milton, which provides both a biographical account of the poet and his influences, and a critical survey of his poetry.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0582437644
• ISBN13: 9780582437647
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Satan's biographer

This is a neat handbook for the beginning student of Milton's writings. Potter explains how after 1660 Milton was forced out of political life and rendered free to write for himself alone. Eventually he was given a full pardon. PARADISE LOST appeared in 1667. By 1674, the year of his death, Milton was able to find publishers for nearly everything he had written. John Dryden and Andrew Marvell were acquaintainces. Milton had been something of a child prodigy. Following chapters on biography, scientific background, political and religious background, the author deals with literary background, in particular the epic. In the epic, to give up the quest is to be spiritually dead. (What a lesson that is to us.) Analysis then proceeds of specific parts of L'ALLEGRO, COMUS, SAMSON AGONISTES, PARADISE LOST, and PARADISE REGAINED. Formal oration was the basis of a gentleman's education. In PARADISE LOST since Milton was blind, visual characterizations are absent, but the sounds of the poetry are marvellous. Artfully Satan is in motion, going from subject to object. Also, Milton uses digressions to speak in his own person. The book contains illustrations, timelines, short biographies, and other aids.