The Three Devils: Luther’s, Milton’s, and Goethe’s : Illustrated Edition

A brilliant exploration of Satan as imagined by three giants of European thought.

In The Three Devils: Luther’s, Milton’s, and Goethe’s, renowned Victorian scholar David Masson examines the evolving figure of the Devil in the works of Martin Luther, John Milton, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Through literary criticism, philosophy, theology, and cultural history, Masson reveals how each age transformed the meaning of evil, rebellion, temptation, and spiritual conflict.

This fascinating collection explores:

Luther’s supernatural world of religious struggle
Milton’s majestic and tragic Satan in Paradise Lost
Goethe’s ironic Mephistopheles in Faust
the relationship between literature and theology
rebellion, individuality, and modern consciousness
the evolution of European intellectual history

Rich in historical insight and literary analysis, these essays illuminate some of the most influential symbolic figures in Western civilization.

This illustrated edition is ideal for readers interested in:

classic literature and literary criticism
Milton, Goethe, and Reformation history
philosophy and theology
mythology and symbolism
Romantic and Victorian scholarship
European intellectual culture

A timeless exploration of Satan, imagination, and the changing spirit of Europe.