Sin, Retribution and Redemption

Throughout history, many organized religions have insisted that their particular set of beliefs is the true one and all others are false. Milton, a powerful proponent of this attitude, is arguably the most important Protestant poet of all time. This book gives ample evidence of the primacy of Christianity in his world view. Indeed, it is rare to find a page in the book that does not mention his Creator. Without God as its central theme, the substance of Milton's work would be unimaginable. Virtually every poem in this volume regards Nature, people, and events through the lens of the Christian sensibility. Nothing happens in Milton's world that is not God's doing, unless it is the work of the devil. Milton's 17th century Protestantism is retributive: those who sin must suffer and only through suffering is redemption gained. By the same token, the every-present consolation...