John Milton, Paradise Regained

Neil Forsyth (Université de Lausanne)
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On July 2, 1670 a new book of Milton’s was licensed for publication and then registered with the Stationers in September. It contained two remarkable poems,

Paradise Regained

and

Samson Agonistes.

Thomas Ellwood, a young Quaker friend of Milton, had already seen a draft of

Paradise Regained

in 1666; indeed he claimed that he was himself the inspiration for the poem. Milton had given him to read the manuscript of

Paradise Lost

at Chalfont St Giles in 1665. When he returned it, he commented that “Thou hast said much here of

Paradise lost

, but what hast thou to say of

Paradise found

? He made me no Answer, but sate some time in a Muse; then brake off that discourse, and fell upon another Subject” (233). This brilliant little cameo is revealing. It suggests that the excellent Ellwood had…

3604 words

Citation: Forsyth, Neil. "Paradise Regained". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 04 February 2012 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=2921, accessed 19 March 2024.]

2921 Paradise Regained 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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