C. S. Lewis's illuminating reflections on Milton's Paradise Lost the seminal classic that
profoundly influenced Christian thought as well as Lewis's own. In Preface to Paradise Lost
the Christian apologist and revered scholar and professor of literature closely examines the
style content structure and themes of Milton's masterpiece a retelling of the biblical
story of the Fall of Humankind Satan's temptation and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the
Garden of Eden. Considering the story within the context of the Western literary tradition
Lewis offers invaluable insights into Paradise Lost and the nature of literature itself
unveiling the poem's beauty and its wisdom. Lewis explains and defends the literary form known
as Epic pondering simple yet perceptive questions such as: What is an Epic? Why in the
seventeenth century did Milton choose to write his story in this style? In what sense is
Paradise Lost similar to the Homeric poems or the Anglo Saxon Beowulf? In what sense did Milton
develop Virgil's legacy? With the clarity of thought and style that are the hallmarks of his
writing Lewis provides answers with a lucidity and lightness that deepens our understanding of
this literary form and both illuminates Milton's immortal epic and its meaning and inspires
readers to revisit it. Ultimately he reminds us why elements including ritual splendor and
joy deserve to exist and hold a sacred place in human life. One of Lewis's most revered
scholarly works Preface to Paradise Lost is indispensable for literature philosophy and
religion scholars and for ardent fans of Lewis's writings.
