Inferno is very entertaining, especially if you have a good grasp of mythology and Italian history -- or get an annotated edition.
I believe I do have a good grasp of mythology and Italian history, but I'd need an annotated edition anyway. It shows on occasion in Milton too - that the Middle Ages and Renaissance had some epics that are now completely lost to the big public. Very few people nowadays, and I'm not among them, recognize names from or references to Orlando Furioso, or Amadis of Gaul, and then I'm even limiting myself to the most famous examples.
I wouldn't go quite that far. Milton would have to deteriorate quite a lot.
Hehe.
True. Although one of the things about the allusions to Heaven in the Hell scenes was that it reminded me precisely of the fantasy trope of alluding to the long lost Golden Age (Valinor in Tolkien, obviously, but you find it in all epic fantasy that I can think of, and quite a few others) -- it is always just slight drips, never an attempt to properly describe it; and that works much better.
I was thinking more of the preaching in or from Heaven than of the allusions to Heaven in the Hell scenes.
Even in Tolkien, the radiance of Valinor is not as effective in Silmarillion, I think, as it becomes when all that is lost, in the longing of those who have lost it. Nümenor as well. Perhaps I am just in love with nostalgia.
No, that's true. The Ainulindale is quite readable, but hardly the best part of the Silmarillion.
Yes. 
I have now realized I really need to read Blake. Any suggestions on where to start?
I have now realized I really need to read Blake. Any suggestions on where to start?Depends. Do you want short poetry or insane cosmology?
Short poetry might be safer.
Very true. Although I maintain that sometimes it is taken too far.
True, it doesn't always work as well as here.
Read "The Rape of the Lock". It is short and sweet and might count towards your parody text for the challenge
Hm. Now that you mention that, I'm wondering if I didn't actually read it... I've certainly read about it. I might go for that, alright.
John Milton - Paradise Lost (and Paradise Regained)
- 11/01/2011 11:25:45 PM
1175 Views
Re: John Milton - Paradise Lost (and Paradise Regained)
- 11/01/2011 11:55:35 PM
888 Views
Wow. <<<<Should be over there<<<<
- 12/01/2011 12:03:38 AM
629 Views
- 12/01/2011 12:06:39 AM
706 Views
- 12/01/2011 12:06:39 AM
706 Views
Re:
- 12/01/2011 12:47:50 AM
665 Views
- 12/01/2011 12:47:50 AM
665 Views
The word "book" is a bit misleading, they're really more like chapters.
- 12/01/2011 06:22:38 PM
668 Views
I'm glad we agree on so much. 
- 12/01/2011 06:50:27 PM
717 Views
- 12/01/2011 06:50:27 PM
717 Views
Re: I'm glad we agree on so much.
- 12/01/2011 07:47:21 PM
770 Views
- 12/01/2011 07:47:21 PM
770 Views
Re: I'm glad we agree on so much.
- 12/01/2011 07:54:37 PM
605 Views
- 12/01/2011 07:54:37 PM
605 Views
I thought I'd have a short response
- 12/01/2011 12:13:48 AM
852 Views
OK, I blogged about my own reaction to it
- 12/01/2011 05:26:18 AM
860 Views
Not that much in there that I disagree with, actually.
- 12/01/2011 06:30:28 PM
657 Views
With the utility of the religious discussion in poetic form
- 12/01/2011 06:50:30 PM
674 Views
- 12/01/2011 06:50:30 PM
674 Views
Well, if I'd found really all of those Heaven books boring, I'm not sure I'd have finished it.
- 13/01/2011 09:53:19 PM
671 Views
Re: Well, if I'd found really all of those Heaven books boring, I'm not sure I'd have finished it.
- 13/01/2011 10:32:49 PM
587 Views
I've started to read it three times and put it down due to the style.
- 12/01/2011 01:34:24 AM
703 Views
Yeah, if you really dislike the style, it really may not be worth forcing yourself through.
- 12/01/2011 06:33:43 PM
619 Views
Okay, i think I may change my classic from this to something else now *NM*
- 12/01/2011 02:41:59 PM
386 Views
It certainly wasn't my intention to frighten people off. Like I said, I'm glad I read it. *NM*
- 12/01/2011 06:31:31 PM
316 Views
Like I said, I'm glad I read it. *NM*
- 12/01/2011 06:31:31 PM
316 Views