*Paradise Lost* is considered a masterpiece of the Baroque period in English literature.
Here's why:
* Themes and Content: The poem deals with grand, universal themes like good vs. evil, free will, and the nature of God, characteristic of Baroque literature.
* Style: Milton's language is highly ornate and elaborate, full of complex sentence structures, inversions, and literary devices like metaphors and similes. This reflects the Baroque preference for grandeur and embellishment.
* Structure: The poem's epic scope, its use of blank verse, and its complex structure with multiple narratives align with the Baroque taste for large-scale works.
While *Paradise Lost* was published in 1667, it was written during the turbulent period of the English Civil War (1642-1651). Some critics see elements of English Renaissance literature in the poem's humanist themes and focus on individual agency. However, the overall stylistic choices and its focus on cosmic themes solidify its place within the Baroque era.