A Preface to Paradise Lost: Ballard Matthews Lecture 1941 (Hardcover)  | Released: 2005

Since its publication in 1942, C.S. Lewiss A Preface to Paradise Lost has remained and continues to remain an indispensable introductory book for the study of Paradise Lost. Very briefly, but with remarkable clarity and precision, Lewis touches on all the important aspects of Paradise Lost: form and technique, structure and texture, theological disputes and characterization etc. Lewis believes that a poem is a public activity through which the poet intends to move his readers. It is, therefore, extremely important to know the intention of the poet, to know what the poem is, what it was intended to do and how it is meant to be used. Accordingly, Lewis tries to identify the originally intended meaning of the poem in order to help the reader to have an access to Miltons intentions. In the process, the Elizabethan world order, the contemporary theological issues, the differences between De Doctrina and Paradise Lost, critical opinions on Miltons style, diction and characterizationsparticularly Satan, Eve, the angels and Satans followers, are all brought to bear on his discussions in the Preface. The book is a must for any student of Paradise Lost.Table of Contents: 1. Epic Poetry 2. Is Criticism Possible? 3. Primary Epic 4. The Technique of Primary Epic 5. The Subject of Primary Epic 6. Virgil and the Subject of Secondary Epic 7. The Style of Secondary Epic 8. Defence of This Style 9. The Doctrine of the Unchanging Human Heart 10. Milton and St. Augustine 11. Hierarchy 12. The Theology of Paradise Lost 13. Satan 14. Satans Followers 15. The Mistake about Miltons Angels 16. Adam and Eve 17. Unfallen Sexuality 18. The Fall 19. Conclusion Appendix: Notes on Certain Passages Index