![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
Famed Austrian composer Joseph Haydn spent years setting the lyrics of Milton's Paradise Lost, the Biblical Psalms, and the Book of Genesis to this musical movement. The result is a stirring piece of work that evokes ancient struggles between good and evil.
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
Handel created this oratorio (an arrangement for both a symphony and choir) based on two Milton poems, "L'Allegro" (The Happy Man) and "Il Penseroso" (The Pensive Man).
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
Penderecki, a Polish-born composer, is a devout Catholic. He called his opera a Sacra Rappresentazione - sacred interpretation - of Milton's poem. The opera first premiered in 1978 in Chicago.
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
Electronica composer Eric Whitacre created this opera, very loosely based on the plot of Milton's poem.
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
The aging Canadian metalheads and extremely unlikely Milton fans Anvil rip off a line from Paradise Lost in their song "666." "I'd rather be a king below than a servant above," the rockers sing. Unfortunately for Anvil, neither scenario seems to have worked out since their 1980s glory days.
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
Classical composers aren't the only ones drawn to Milton's epic. The punk/metal scene also contains some hard-core fans of Milton's depiction of the struggle between good and evil. The UK-based band Paradise Lost definitely pays homage to Milton with their name.