Milton's Visual Imagination
Imagery in Paradise Lost

'Despite Dobranski's erudition and engagement with previous criticism, his prose is always lucid.' B. E. Brandt, Choice

'Readers will welcome Dobranski’s careful readings and explanations of the images and their functions as well as his inclusion of many clearly reproduced illustrations. Milton scholars will appreciate his ongoing engagement with the critical history and present state of his subject. The book itself is notably readable. Dobranski explains many difficult points with admirable clarity. Thus, this study deserves and should find a wide audience of scholars and students.' Elizabeth Skerpan-Wheeler, Renaissance Quarterly

'Stephen B. Dobranski’s splendid Milton’s Visual Imagination: Imagery in 'Paradise Lost' draws upon the materialist turn in early modern studies, and specifically the vitalist turn in Milton studies, to confute an accusation prevalent since the days of Samuel Johnson: that Paradise Lost’s visual imagery is impoverished. Dobranski’s purpose, however, is not simply to demonstrate that Milton’s imagery is vivid. Rather, he explicates the theological, cultural, and poetic import of the nature of visual imagery in Paradise Lost’s Heaven, Hell, and Eden.' Katherine Eggert, SEL Studies in English Literature 1500–1900

'Milton’s Visual Imagination has the strengths that we have come to expect from Stephen Dobranski’s writing: sensitive close readings, careful research, and a staunch return to issues left unresolved or insufficiently considered by Milton scholars … The value of Milton’s Visual Imagination lies in its eloquent, subtle demonstration of how images work in Milton’s poem.' Karen L. Edwards, Modern Philology

'It is full of vividly presented material things that often cast direct or associative light on Paradise Lost. Dobranski always astutely positions his own claims in relation to those made by others... an extremely illuminating and thought-provoking book.' Colin Burrow, Milton Quarterly