Dinamicidad de los clásicos. Ecos de El Paraíso perdido de John Milton en Sombra del Paraíso de Vicente Aleixandre: tras la estela del ángel caído

Abstract

Vicente Aleixandre’s Sombra del Paraíso (1944) is undoubtedly one of the most important titles of twentieth century Spanish poetry. The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, because of its meaning within the post-Civil war period –its nostalgic air, its long verse, its existentialist approach, Aleixandre’s vital experience–, as well as his attitude towards social poetry. Secondly, because of what the book meant within the context of his own poetry which based on his vision of the world. This paper aims at showing one of the less studied, but still important, sources of this book: Milton’s Paradise Lost (1674). Milton’s poem stands as a clear reference to the symbolic creation of the fall of Aleixandre’s “ángel caído” (fallen angel) – central theme of his poetry. The differences are both qualitative and quantitative. Nevertheless, there are certain revealing similarities which do not play down the Spanish poet’s creations. On the contrary, they link his poetry to the classic European tradition and enhancing his importance as a literary classic.