Paradise Lost, by John Milton – read by various volunteers
John Milton’s Paradise Lost (first published in 1667) is one of the greatest epics in English literature, a monumental poem that wrestles with timeless questions of free will, divine justice, and the nature of good and evil. Written in blank verse, the work recounts Lucifer’s rebellion and fall from Heaven, his reign in Hell, and the tragic temptation and fall of Adam and Eve in Eden.
Rich in symbolism, theology, and poetic grandeur, Milton’s masterpiece combines classical inspiration from Homer and Virgil with Christian themes, making it both a literary and spiritual achievement. Blind at the time of its creation, Milton dictated the work from memory to his daughters, ensuring its survival as a cornerstone of English poetry.
Profound, majestic, and enduring, Paradise Lost remains an unparalleled exploration of pride, obedience, and redemption.
