The Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost'

Description

Explore the remarkable intersection of seventeenth-century science and epic poetry in Thomas Nathaniel Orchard's The Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost'. Orchard demonstrates how Milton's cosmological vision was not merely poetic license but a sophisticated engagement with the astronomical knowledge of his time, bridging the gap between Milton's intellectual world and the modern reader's understanding of the cosmos.\n\nThis study reveals how Milton's depiction of the heavens reflects the scientific revolution and the changing perception of the universe during the late seventeenth century. Orchard's analysis of Milton's astronomical imagery — from the motion of the planets to the structure of the heavens — offers a fresh perspective on one of the greatest works in the English language. The book is accessible to students of Milton, literary scholars, and anyone interested in the history of science and the evolution of scientific ideas in literature.