Nearly 30 passages that Jefferson recorded, Orlando Reade notes, derive from John Milton’s epic poem “Paradise Lost,” including 11 that center on the figure of Satan. Jefferson’s interest ...

The 24 mezzotints that Martin produced for Paradise Lost were an instant commercial and critical success ... the two angels on the left, discovered Satan disguised as a toad, whispering evil thoughts ...

Paradise Lost is famously dark: beginning in the “darkness visible” of hell, where Satan languishes after waging a failed rebellion against God. It is also dark in another sense — using ...