'Darkness Visible' – a resource for studying alumnus John Milton’s best-known poem, Paradise Lost – is relaunched this week. Paradise Lost is a long poem, divided into 12 books and published in 1667, which tells the Biblical story of Adam and Eve.
The website was originally commissioned in 2008 and is updated as part of the commemoration which began in 2024 for the 350th anniversary of Milton’s death.
Dr Katie Mennis, Junior Research Fellow, who led the redesign said:
“We are delighted to retain much of the material from the original site, but to update the look and feel of the webpages with new features including a monthly blog – the Miltonic Mill.”
The first blog 'Advanced Darkness in Samson Agonistes' is written by Dr Katrin Ettenhuber.
Christ’s students provided the new artwork for the website design which takes as its starting point, the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden.
The website is aimed primarily at students studying the poem for A-level and provides plot summaries, character analysis and close textual readings with content provided by writers, academics and students.
Dr Mennis said:
“We hope that many users will find areas of interest - for example, exclusive new video clips from leading Milton critics, and a section on Milton and music which is soon to include recordings by our College Choir.”
Milka Sholaya, an English Teacher at Watford Grammar School for Boys, who provided feedback on the website said:
“My colleagues have remarked they wish we had a similar resource for all the set texts; we look forward to using it when next we teach Paradise Lost.”
Explore Darkness Visible
With thanks to all the 2024 Contributors: Our People, Their Miltons