I don't know if reading *Paradise Lost* would have given you a greater appreciation of *His Dark Materials*, at least not as a fan enjoying a work of speculative fiction.
But, as a scholarly person studying myth and speculative fiction, you might find *His Dark Materials* more interesting as an example of a modern re-telling of a myth. When you do read *Paradise Lost*, I would recommend the Oxford World's Classic edition that has an introduction and brief commentary on each book by Philip Pullman. [http://www.amazon.com/dp/019280619X]
no subject
But, as a scholarly person studying myth and speculative fiction, you might find *His Dark Materials* more interesting as an example of a modern re-telling of a myth. When you do read *Paradise Lost*, I would recommend the Oxford World's Classic edition that has an introduction and brief commentary on each book by Philip Pullman. [http://www.amazon.com/dp/019280619X]