The humanism of Milton's Paradise lost
"The great divide in commentary on Paradise Lost is between historical and critical analysis. In his discussion of the poem, David Reid combines both approaches, at once placing it historically in terms of neoclassical humanism, and reflecting on it critically as a late twentieth-century humanist." "As a historian, Reid argues that Paradise Lost shares in the cultural effort of neoclassical humanism, and yet, in its picture of volition, the poem stands apart from it - Milton's understanding of freedom, error and guilt owing more to his Protestant than to his humanist concerns. And as a critic, Reid argues that surprisingly Milton's religious understanding speaks more directly to our humanism than his splendid articulation of neoclassical humanist themes."--Jacket
Print Book, English, ©1993
Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, ©1993
186 pages ; 24 cm
9780748604012, 0748604014
28168167
Ch. 1. The Study of the Will
Ch. 2. Finite Man. The Reformation and Human Creatureliness. Neoclassical Humanism. The Humanist Quarrel with Scholasticism. The Divinising of Man and the Condition of Incorporated Minds. Knowledge within Human Limits in Paradise Lost. Cosmic Flights in Paradise Lost
Ch. 3. Paradise Lost and the Neoclassical Epic. Epic as Eloquence. Jerusalem Delivered. Paradise Lost: Introduction. Paradise Lost: Universal Images. Paradise Lost: Universal Images of Derangement. Paradise Lost: The New Creation. Absalom and Achitophel
Ch. 4. The Motions of the Will in Paradise Lost. Theology. The Son. Satan. Adam and Eve: The State of Innocence. Adam and Eve: The Fall. Adam and Eve: Guilt. Adam and Eve: The Return Upon Themselves
Based on the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--University of British Columbia, 1976, which was presented under title: The humanism of Paradise lost