John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 1

John Milton's rendering of the Biblical tale of the fall of mankind as an epic, and its backstory, build on the conventions established by Homer and Virgil.Show more

While paying homage to his illustrious forebears, Milton's convictions about the connection of his tale to the advent of God the Son into the world leads to his declaration that this isn't just another epic. He has sailed 'far above the Aonian mount.'

He uses epic conventions in order not only to show the superiority of his subject, but to transform what constitutes heroism. This is in keeping with the condescension and suffering of Christ at Calvary.