Paradise Regained is a poem by English poet John Milton first published in 1671 by John Macock. The volume it first appeared also contained the poet’s closet drama (a play meant to be read rather than performed) Samson Agonistes. Paradise Regained is connected by name to his earlier and more famous epic poem Paradise Lost and shares similar theological themes; indeed, its title, its use of blank verse, and its progression through Christian history recall the earlier work; however, this effort deals primarily with the temptation of Christ as recounted in the Gospel of Luke.
An interesting anecdote recounted by a Quaker named Thomas Ellwood provides some insight into Paradise Regained’s development. After studying Latin with Milton and reading the poet’s epic Paradise Lost, Ellwood remarked, “Thou hast said much here of Paradise lost, but what hast thou to say of Paradise found?” Hearing this, Milton at first “sat some time in a muse” before changing the subject; however, later on he showed to Ellwood a new manuscript entitled Paradise Regained. Some maintain although Milton seemed to express gratitude to Ellwood in a letter, he in truth “passed on a friendly if impish fabrication” allowing Ellwood to feel like the inspiration for the poem. Milton composed Paradise Regained at his cottage in Chalfont St. Giles in Buckinghamshire. The poem is four books long, in contrast with Paradise Lost’s twelve; 2,065 lines long, while Paradise Lost comprises 10,565. As such, Barbara K. Lewalski has labeled the work a “brief epic.”
