PARADISE LOST John Milton Work GUSTAVE DORE Poetical

 

Paradise Lost

ILLUSTRATED BY

GUSTAVE DORE

This auction is for an original c. 1890 edition of "MILTON'S PARADISE LOST" by John Milton. YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOOK!!! It is beautifully illustrated by world famous 19th century French artist GUSTAVE DORE. The 50 PLATES!!! which adorn this work are all 9 1/2" x 11 1/2" FULL-PAGE ENGRAVINGS!!! Each and every illustration bears testimony to the earnest desire of the Publishers to spare no effort or expense necessary to the production of a book which should prove in every way satisfactory to those interested in the subject treated. Published circa 1890, this book is in VERY GOOD CONDITION! for its age and especially to be 119 YEARS OLD!!! ALL PAGES ARE PRESENT!!! and tightly bound with NO TEARS!!! or any markings, other than a contemporary ownership inscription from January, 1890 on one of the front endpapers and some penciled in numbers on the back endpage. Its only mentionable flaw is the back interior hinge has been neatly reinforced with book binders tape to provide years more of service. It measures 10" x 12" and is complete with all 329 pages. This book is highly desirable among both art lovers and antiquarian book collectors alike so...GET IT WHILE YOU CAN!!!

Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. It was originally published in 1667 in ten books; a second edition followed in 1674, re-divided into twelve books (in the manner of the division of Virgil's Aeneid) with minor revisions throughout and a note on the versification. The poem concerns the Judeo-Christian story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is "to justify the ways of God to men" (l. 26) and elucidate the conflict between God's eternal foresight and free will. The protagonist of this epic is the fallen angel, Satan. Seen from a modern perspective, it may appear to some that Milton presents Satan sympathetically, as an ambitious and proud being who defies his creator, omnipotent God, and wages war on Heaven, only to be defeated and cast down. Indeed, William Blake, a great admirer of Milton and illustrator of the epic poem, said of Milton that "he was a true Poet, and of the Devil's party without knowing it." Some critics regard the character of Lucifer as a precursor of the Byronic hero. Milton worked for Oliver Cromwell and the Parliament of England and thus wrote first-hand for the Commonwealth of England. Arguably, the failed rebellion and reinstallation of the monarchy left him to explore his losses within Paradise Lost. Some critics say that he sympathized with the Satan in this work, in that both had experienced a failed cause. Milton incorporates Paganism, classical Greek references and Christianity within the story. He greatly admired the classics but intended this work to surpass them. The poem grapples with many difficult theological issues, including fate, predestination, and the Trinity.

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