Lecture 11 | Losing Paradise (Book XI) | Paradise Lost in Slow Motion

The transgression of Book 9 led us to the condemnation of Book 10; Now we come at last to Paradise Lost-Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the garden. All consolation in earthly things are taken away and the first human beings are made to stand without support. Paradise Lost might be read as one long elegy-a poem of loss and lament that moves at last to a great exchange.
Paradise Lost participates in a social and psychological practice of understanding loss-it emerges from a felt experience of loss and works towards the consolation of that loss. In Book 11, the loss reaches an unbearable weight. In Book 12, the consolation is provided in full. In Book 11, we find the psychological exploration of states of grief and mourning.

[@RobertMorcroft]

Another brilliant lecture.
Thank you very much Adam.

[@dakotalee6990]

Love this series! You should cover Rime of the Ancient Mariner soon since it’s referenced in one of Taylor Swift’s songs.

[@jamesduggan7200]

I like the way you continue with the idea of Christianity here even though it is like 4,000 years before the birth of Christ. To my way of thinking that's one of the mysteries of Judeo-Christian philosophy it's better to note without explaining. However, I accept that 17th cent. socio-political realities require some commentary on how Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit exist and influence events. As for your other point about Moses in Numbers 22(? - maybe it's a little earlier), what we see is that David becomes G-d's most beloved, whose seed will never disappear, despite sinning at every possible moment. Moses on the other hand is one of the most intense passionate followers - perhaps the greatest prophet and the only one to see the face of G-d, is denied the Promised Land. I think a possible lesson here is that we are not cursed with Original Sin but instead we are subtly nudged toward sin in the development of human free will.