Wednesday 1 December 2010

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost: It's hard to argue, once you've a bit of context, that this book is not the most epic thing ever written. It presents such a modern view of the Bible; interesting considering Milton was a puritan. The depiction of Satan, as you will widely hear, is really fucking cool. He's described as more of some god-tier Marvel superhero than the horned red goat-man. It talks in depth about the rebellion of the angels, the harrowing of Hell from the lake of fire, and all that good stuff. His descriptions of the parade of demons are straight up badass:
First Moloch horrid King besmear'd with blood
Of human sacrifice, and parents tears,
Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud
Their children's cries unheard that past through fire
To his grim Idol...


Next came one,
Maim'd his brute Image, head and hands lopt off
In his own Temple...

Dagon his Name, Sea Monster, upward Man
And downward Fish: yet had his Temple high
Rear'd in Azotus dreaded through the Coast
Of Palestine



In short, Biblical fanfiction that blows anything the Mormons have to offer out of the water. That illustration is one of a series by Gustave Dore, who I love. As Satan goes further along the path toward evil his wings become more and more bat-like.

34 comments:

  1. I've read this book and enjoyed every single second of it! Might read it again if I get some spare time in the near future!

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  2. Maybe I'll read it, thanks for tip

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  3. Nice blog you have here.
    Following

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  4. Very interesting following. Check out randomnewsreports.blogspot.com

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  5. looks like a good read. following.

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  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  7. ive always been a bit intimidated by this book, fearing that it would not appeal to my tastes or it would be a boring read. your description makes me rethink this and i may very well give it a go!

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  8. Okay, this is going on my must-read-like-now list.

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  9. Heh, reading this would make my mum extremely angry when I start quoting things from it the next time I see her :L

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  10. I love epic poetry, and Paradise Lost is one of my favourites overall, right there next to the Divine Comedy.

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  11. kinda makes me wanna become a Christian... almost

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  12. pretty neat view on biblical things.

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  13. It's nice to get treated to some classic poetry. Interesting blog, I will follow :)

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  14. Mind = blown or something like that.

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  15. i read this back in a literature AP class in highschool. except for the occasional mindblowing bit, i thought it was pretty boring

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  16. i remember learning about this

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  17. I believe the popular image of Devil was very influenced by paradise lost

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  18. Cool. I tried to rad it once. The fact that is one giant poem deterred me.

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  19. read this book a while ago, good read

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  20. Definitely one of the greats. I'll have to dig up my copy and reread it now.

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  21. Very sophisticated blog you have. Definitely following, this topic is hard to come by now adays.
    I love Paradise Lost. Such fantastic descriptions in the epic poem. @_@

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  22. you need to get back to updating. seriously, this blog looked cool, but needs more current posts.

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  23. looks like a good book cant wait to watch the movie!

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  24. I saw a gerbal on your blog. Cool guy

    World of Warcraft Cheats@
    http://www.blizzardhacks.com

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  25. I don't even like reading biblical related books but this one looks interesting enough.

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  26. I need to find that book ASAP! :D

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  27. I love paradise lost. Great selection!

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  28. ugh need to read this, thanks man good stuff!

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