The writers, philosophers and politicians who have raided Milton’s epic poem for inspirationIn 1818 Mary Shelley published Frankenstein, the story of a man who trespasses on God’s turf by crafting a new form of life. She took its epigraph from Book X of John Milton’s Paradise Lost, when Adam rages at God like a teenager who didn’t ask to be born. Shelley returned to Milton for 1826’s The Last Man, a grim, grief-sodden read about an annihilating pandemic: “Let no man seek / Henceforth to be foretold what shall befall / Him or his children.” One novel describes the creation of life, the other its destruction, and both open with Paradise Lost.It is no surprise that Milton’s epic figured in the genesis of science fiction. Orlando Reade suggests that it “might be the most influential poem in English”, frequently stripped for parts. In relatively recent years, it has furnished the titles of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy and Nick Cave’s Red Right Hand, influenced the collapse...
This Guardian review of Orlando Reade's book "What In Me Is Dark" argues that John Milton's "Paradise Lost" exerts a powerful, pervasive influence far beyond the realm of traditional literary analysis. Reade's book delves into the ways "Paradise Lost" has been adopted, adapted, and referenced in modern popular culture, from fantasy novels like "His Dark Materials" to TV shows like "The Good Place." The review highlights the poem's enduring relevance, suggesting that its exploration of themes like creation, destruction, rebellion, and redemption continue to resonate with contemporary audiences. Furthermore, Reade emphasizes the poem's political undertones, particularly its reflection on power, authority, and the consequences of societal upheaval, themes that remain pertinent in the modern world. The review concludes by praising Reade's accessible and engaging writing style, suggesting that he aims to make "Paradise Lost" more approachable and enjoyable for a wider audience.
