Noam Reisner leads readers through the complexities of Milton's celebrated and challenging narrative poem as well as introducing them to the key critical views. The guide combines an introduction to the poem's main thematic and stylistic concerns together with discussion of important selected passages (substantial extracts from the text are included) and provides readers with a basic set of critical tools with which to interpret the text. Key Features * Detailed discussion of select passages from the poem divided into three interrelated sections - 'concepts and themes', 'style and form' and 'historical-political context' - for easy reference * Provides a general guide to teaching the text - first time teachers will find many suggestions for teaching as well as templates for teaching the poem in different course formats. * Up-to-date annotated bibliography