1st Edition
Trials of Nature The Infinite Law Court of Milton's Paradise Lost
Introduction: The Divine Contradiction 1. A Short History of the Primordial Law Court of Nature 2. Milton’s Wager 3. The Primordial Nature of God 4. The Vacuous Trials of Chaos. 5 The Eternal Word of Creation and the Regimens of Heaven 6. The Growths of Hell 7. Cosmic Redemptions 8. The Process of Paradise 9. The Infinite Judgment of Creation
Biography
Bjoern Quiring is Assistant Professor of English at Trinity College, Dublin
"This volume by Quiring is extremely enjoyable both for its fluent style and clear exposition, and for the depth of its scientific approach: he re-reads some previous philosophical perspectives from a new creative light, shedding new meaning on Milton’s allegories and symbols." Daniela Carpi, University of Verona, Italy
"Both dense and capacious, this study will be foundational to future scholarly treatment of the influence of natural law on Milton's work." Lynn Greenberg, Hunter College, CUNY, USA
"Trials of Nature demonstrates wide-ranging scholarship and both brilliance and interpretative licence." David V. Urban, Calvin University, Michigan, USA
"The strength of Trials of Nature is the sensitivity of its textual analysis. The subject-matter is not always easy, for the reason that Milton hardly ever is, but the author displays considerable dexterity in his discussion, and endeavours to ensure that his reading of Paradise Lost, and collateral Milton texts, remains accessible. A Milton scholar will probably get most out of Trials of Nature, but there is plenty for the broader reader too, the literary jurist included. Thus far, Milton has tended to occupy a more evasive place in the ‘law and literature’ canon, struggling to compete with the likes of Shakespeare or Dickens. Trials of Nature helps to redress this comparative neglect." Ian Ward, Professor of Law, Newcastle University, UK
