This is the original, as-broadcast recording of our reading of Book IX of Milton’s Paradise Lost, featuring an experimental live soundscape created with improvised violin accompaniment.

Because the voice and violin were recorded together rather than on separate tracks, the musical elements are at times prominent and can make the spoken word less clear. We have also made available a remastered version in which much of the accompaniment has been reduced, for listeners who would prefer greater clarity of the reading.

This version preserves the more experimental character of the original broadcast.

Read by: Jeremy Hardingham, with Alice Goodman and Jonathan Styles.

(N.B. These recordings were made during a live reading in late 2008 and are not professional quality. We've done what we can to clean them up, but please just bear in mind how old they are and how new we were!)

This event was held on Thursday 23 October 2008 from around 9 am-9 pm, in the Judith E. Wilson Drama Studio, Faculty of English, Cambridge.

7.45pm, Book XII

Read by: Adrian Poole (Michael), with Stephen Logan (Adam), Emma Leadbetter (Eve), and Jeremy Hardingham

Book XII Summary by Eily-Meg MacQueen (2008)

Michael then explains what else is to come, including the story of Nimrod building the irreligious Babel, and the faithful Abraham who is promised land by God to start a new community and whose work is continued by Isaac, Jacob and Moses. Michael also reassures Adam that Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, will overcome Satan and Death through his own crucifixion and so, comforted about the future, Adam and Eve are led out of Paradise:

They looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and providence their guide: They hand in hand with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
~XII.641-end.

(N.B. These recordings were made during a live reading in late 2008 and are not professional quality. We've done what we can to clean them up, but please just bear in mind how old they are and how new we were!)

This event was held on Thursday 23 October 2008 from around 9 am-9 pm, in the Judith E. Wilson Drama Studio, Faculty of English, Cambridge.

6.50pm, Book XI

Read by: Sophie Read, with Gavin Alexander, Subha Mukherji, Jane Partner, and Daniel Wakelin

Book IX Summary by Eily-Meg MacQueen (2008)

The Son defends Adam and Eve to God as they have shown remorse for their actions. God accepts their regret, but they still cannot stay in Paradise. He sends Michael, with reinforcements, to make them leave, prompting their grief. Michael then sends Eve to sleep and shows Adam the sins and deaths of his descendents, demonstrating the exceptions of Enoch and Noah who were saved through their virtue.