What is so great about Milton's Paradise Lost?
Both Charles Graybell and Gowan Campbell have provided excellent answers. I just felt like I should share what makes it "so great" for me. I read this book when I was about 13 and then re-read it several times throughout my life, always finding new things and perspective (which i believe is what truly makes it great). Milton's depth and ability to communicate and basically "humanize" Satan while sliding in some of his own philosophy is not only genius, it's beautiful. I must add that Gowan Campbell is right about putting yourself into Milton's mindset during the time he was writing, it really does put a different spin on it, for me at least.My favorite part is and has always been when Satan was sent to Hell and decided he wouldn't just make the best of it... but "fight like Hell" (pun intended) to get what he felt he deserved."Said then the lost Arch-Angel, this the seatFor that celestial light? Be it so, since heWho now is Sovran can dispose and bidWhat shall be right: fardest from him is bestWhom reason hath equald, force hath made supremeAbove his equals. Farewel happy FieldsWhere Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hailInfernal world, and thou profoundest HellReceive thy new Possessor: One who bringsA mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.The mind is its own place, and in it selfWhat matter where, if I be still the same,And what I should be, all but less then heWhom Thunder hath made greater? Here at leastWe shall be free; th' Almighty hath not builtHere for his envy, will not drive us hence:Here we may reign secure, and in my choiceTo reign is worth ambition though in Hell:Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,Th' associates and copartners of our lossLye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,And call them not to share with us their partIn this unhappy Mansion, or once moreWith rallied Arms to try what may be yetRegaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?"- I always interpreted this, that even though sometimes in life it may feel like you are going through Hell to remember that You have options: 1.Give up; or 2.Realize who you are, stop pitying yourself, and fight to get what you want in life.I guess only I could find inspiration and motivation from Satan's perspective... well... Milton and myself i guess lol.
Do you consider listening to an audio book "reading"?
No, I don't consider it "reading", but nonetheless I do consider it a wonderful mode of book appreciation, and especially so for those who cannot read, either because of a physical impairment, or other circumstance. In your specific case, because you are already a competent reader, I think you would gain almost identical benefit from listening to an audio book that you would from reading it yourself. In the case of someone who is less gifted in literacy, though, much would be lost by merely 'hearing' the tale and not reading the words on the page. I guess the thing I like best about reading a book for myself is the opportunity to imagine for myself the voices/accents/inflections of each of the characters. That's done for you on an audio book! I also absolutely *love* the feeling of holding a book in my hand, and being able to read it, reread certain passages, flick back (or forwards!) through the pages at whim. I find the written word quite romantic actually, and especially so when it's on something 'tangible' ( e-books don't really do it for me either). So to me, I would probably find an audio book rather limiting.
How do you explain the existence of god when you see an innocent child dying in front of your eyes from cancer?
Just because there is a God that set the universe in motion, does not mean that He is going to intercede in your personal life.Life, can be looked at in two ways from a spiritual perspective.Life is a test of worthiness. In most western and monotheistic religions, life is seen as a test for better things, like heaven or even your own planet (as in the case of Mormons). The harsh experiences of life are seen as those tests. Without those experiences of toughness and loss, what is life for? Believing that God will intercede somehow and protect you is childish. If God were to protect you from the certain doom of life, it would render the experience meaningless.Life is a step in perfection. In many eastern religions like Buddhism, life is merely another turn at perfecting yourself on a journey of reincarnation and practice to achieve a perfected state of some kind. There is no evil in the world per se, but just creatures all at differing stages at achieving that oneness with the universe.
I want to write a book but I always make everything too wordy. What do you think?
The air had a crisp scent of autumn moisture, a vacant scene of delicate droplets coated the overlaying brambles that blocked the paths ahead. A ball of fire rested upon the sky yet the charcoal wallpaper revolted the single reign; Such a palaver was never present in London any more. It had become an agoraphobic land. No heroes stood upon the soil. No humans stood upon the new day, only the birds remained. Birds that had lost their way, like children unaware of their parents; unable to find, unable to land, unable to die. The night was short and my alarm could not withstand another night of abuse from my hand. Another restless night. Sleepless as if in shock, only to perceive the world around me as a painting that I could never be part of. My voice clumped into a sigh, expelling my first conscious breath of the new day, My state impelled me to gaze upon the room, ever so slowly rubbernecking the surroundings which were finally coming into focus. Walls smothered in coloured ink, they had all blurred together into one scene. Sharing the characteristic of an outdoor adventure; breathtaking views, wild animals and emerald fields. My walls assembly of painted oil blots formed a tropical fantasy scene. Another day of fantasizing of merging with the painting, escaping within the walls and living among the stray beasts as a free individual. Lions became visible, their orange and brown fur created a shade of life, their manes glowed with magnificent potential, lighting up the forest with a roar of dominance. Looking deeper, my focus zoomed past the scenery of murky green climbing branches and fern like Christmas tinsel to the detail in the grass. It resembled a material like cotton. Surveying the green spread, it became more obscure with every inch that the sun retreated southwards. The sky was now a pleasant shade of purple, red, yellow and orange; aligned together in perfect harmony. The world took a while to dim but my eyes did not miss a second of it, it was too late to consider blinking. The sienna bench became visible in the corner of my eye; the woman that had been painted to resemble me had faded as the bench began to flake in colour. Reality shifted as the world began vibrating vigorously; I was forced to cling to the ground as it slipped from my feet. My fingers gripped but held nothing as the paradise world burned, engulfed by smoke. Plummeting down through many blinding chasms, I found myself once again in my own bedroom.
Hinduism & Buddhism does not promises heaven for it's follower,But only Islam promises real paradise in heaven
~Hello pakistan pr.... We have a family living next door to us, who we visit with frequently who are from pakistan also. They are Muslims, Muslimah's, who have 2 young girls and a young boy. We have 1 young boy and a young girl. He invites us into his house and we have respectful discussions concerning religions and philosophy's of life. Our children and their children play so nicely together on a daily basis. We all have been friends for 2 and a half yrs. now. Although we are of different religions, we show one another mutual respect. We all respect each other's free will, not degrading each other's religions, and not attempting to convert one another. I highly respect our neighbors in how they practice their Islamic faith. ~Enjoy the coffee he serves me in his house, it is stronger than anything we have ever tasted. I do have to ask him soon, where I can buy this to make. I work graveyard shift as a Registered Nurse, so his coffee really helps to wake me up. Anyway, it was great meeting you Pakistan pr... Take Care, and have a great wkend, With Metta to Everybody.
WOMEN ONLY - What are your favourite selection of great films?
I am attempting to write a book about films for women - not chick flicks as such but a good variety of films that women enjoy, including some of my personal favourites. I would really appreciate your input of favourite films and why you like them. Many thanks
Was Muhammad the perfect example of conduct for all humanity?
According to the Quran he was...but does that make any sense? Muhammad lead twenty-six battles of war, had over 900 helpless prisoners beheaded in a mass beheading, owned slaves, and bedded a child bride of nine when he was fiftey-seven. So by non-muslim standards, its obvious that Muhammad's conduct was the worst example in the extreme, but then again, it was Muhammad who created the religion and thus created a new standard. So its relative. Muslims see these behaviors as "excellent" because he is their standard and he created the religion so theres nothing to contrast him against. Nevertheless we still have a problem. You see, the religion of Islam claims that Muhammad was just a man. If this is the case then he must have made mistakes. His behavior could not have been perfect at all times yet the Quran claims that all his conduct is the standard for all muslims. Can anyone rectify this problem?
Why is the story of Satan not in the bible?
could I please have the book and versus where it explains that satan was cast into hell with a third of the angels? BTW I have read the Bible...your right the book of Job does mention him, but does not tell of the origins