Paradise Lost 

Gustave Doré’s interpretation of Milton's *Paradise Lost* presents us with angels, those liminal figures between heaven and earth, amidst a landscape of profound desolation. Note how the wings, symbols of divine messengers, are rendered with such detail, yet they seem heavy, burdened by the weight of their mission. The angel's gesture pointing towards the horizon echoes gestures found in classical art, signaling direction, purpose, and a connection to the divine. But here, the light does not illuminate a path to glory. Consider the spear and shield cast aside, suggesting a moment of reflection or perhaps defeat. The fallen weapons remind us of Mars, the god of war, and contrast with the delicate wings. These visual cues tap into our collective memory, evoking themes of struggle, loss, and the precarious balance between the celestial and the earthly. As we observe Dore’s use of light and shadow, we confront the emotional and psychological aspect of their exile, a reminder of the human condition and the search for redemption.