Paradise Lost

“Paradise Lost” is an epic poem written by English poet John Milton, first published in 1667. The poem is considered one of the greatest works of English literature and has had a profound impact on subsequent writers, artists, and thinkers. The story is rooted in Christian theology, drawing from the Bible and other religious texts. At its core, “Paradise Lost” explores the fall of man, the rebellion of Satan, and the themes of free will, obedience, and the nature of good and evil.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Fall of Man: “Paradise Lost” tells the story of the fall of man, which occurs when Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. This act of disobedience leads to their expulsion from Paradise and the introduction of sin and death into the world.
2. The Rebellion of Satan: Before the fall of man, Satan, once an angel named Lucifer, leads a rebellion against God. He seeks to usurp God’s authority but is defeated and cast out of Heaven, ultimately ending up in Hell with his followers.
3. The Temptation of Eve: As an act of revenge against God, Satan takes the form of a serpent and tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. He uses cunning arguments and appeals to her vanity and desire for knowledge, which ultimately leads to her disobedience and the fall of man.
4. The Nature of Free Will: The poem explores the concept of free will and the responsibility that comes with it. Both Adam and Eve are created with free will, and their decision to disobey God is a crucial aspect of the story. The poem raises questions about the role of free will in the presence of an omnipotent, omniscient God.
5. The Conflict between Good and Evil: Throughout the poem, there is a constant struggle between good and evil, represented by the forces of God and Satan. The poem examines the nature of evil, the reasons behind Satan’s rebellion, and the consequences of evil actions.
6. The Role of Obedience and Divine Hierarchy: Milton’s epic emphasizes the importance of obedience to God and the natural hierarchy established by Him. Satan’s rebellion is portrayed as a defiance of this hierarchy, and Adam and Eve’s disobedience similarly disrupts the established order.
7. Redemption and the Promise of Salvation: Despite the tragedy of the fall of man, “Paradise Lost” also contains the promise of redemption and salvation through Jesus Christ. The poem foretells Christ’s eventual sacrifice to atone for humanity’s sins, offering hope for their eventual restoration to a state of grace.

Important Characters:

1. Satan (Lucifer): A fallen angel and the primary antagonist in the poem. He leads a rebellion against God and tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, setting in motion the fall of man.
2. Adam: The first man created by God, who is portrayed as innocent and loving. He ultimately disobeys God by eating the forbidden fruit, leading to the fall of man and the introduction of sin and death into the world.
3. Eve: The first woman created by God, who is portrayed as beautiful, intelligent, and curious. She is tempted by Satan and eats the forbidden fruit, which leads to the fall of man.
4. God: The omnipotent and omniscient creator of the universe, who creates Adam and Eve and establishes the divine hierarchy. He punishes Adam and Eve for their disobedience but also promises redemption through Jesus Christ.
5. Jesus Christ: The Son of God and the savior of humanity, who is prophesied to sacrifice himself to atone for humanity’s sins. Jesus’ role in “Paradise Lost” is primarily prophetic, as his crucifixion and resurrection take place after the events of the poem.
6. Archangel Michael: A loyal and powerful angel who fights on the side of God during the rebellion in Heaven. He is also the one who expels Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden after their disobedience.
7. Archangel Raphael: A benevolent angel who serves as God’s messenger and acts as a guide and mentor to Adam, providing him with wisdom and knowledge about the creation of the world and the events that led to Satan’s rebellion.

Books About “Paradise Lost”:

1. “Milton’s Paradise Lost: Moral Education” by Mary M. Dalton: This book examines the educational aspects of “Paradise Lost,” focusing on how Milton uses the poem to teach readers about morality, virtue, and the consequences of human actions.
2. “Milton and the Making of ‘Paradise Lost'” by David Loewenstein: This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical, political, and religious contexts in which “Paradise Lost” was written, as well as a detailed examination of Milton’s life and the poem’s creation.
3. “The Cambridge Companion to ‘Paradise Lost'” edited by Louis Schwartz: This collection of essays provides a wide-ranging examination of “Paradise Lost,” covering topics such as its literary influences, its theological and philosophical themes, and its impact on subsequent literature and culture.
4. “Paradise Lost and the Rhetoric of Literary Forms” by Barbara Kiefer Lewalski: In this book, Lewalski explores the various literary forms and rhetorical devices used by Milton in “Paradise Lost,” arguing that these elements are crucial to understanding the poem’s meaning and impact.
5. “A Preface to ‘Paradise Lost'” by C.S. Lewis: The renowned author and literary critic C.S. Lewis offers an accessible and insightful introduction to “Paradise Lost,” discussing its themes, structure, and the challenges it presents to readers.

While “Paradise Lost” is based on biblical stories, particularly those in the Book of Genesis, it is important to remember that it is a work of fiction and not a direct retelling of biblical events. John Milton, as a poet and writer, used his artistic license to expand upon, interpret, and embellish the biblical narrative. Some differences between “Paradise Lost” and the Bible include:

1. Characterization of Satan: In “Paradise Lost,” Satan is a complex, multifaceted character with a rich backstory, whereas the Bible does not provide as much detail about his motivations, personality, or history. Milton’s portrayal of Satan as a charismatic, tragic anti-hero has generated much discussion and debate among scholars and readers.
2. Expansion of the story: The biblical account of the fall of man in the Book of Genesis is relatively brief, while “Paradise Lost” is a lengthy, epic poem that looks deeply into the events leading up to the fall, the consequences of Adam and Eve’s actions, and the nature of good and evil. Milton takes the basic outline of the biblical story and expands upon it with his own imagination and interpretation.
3. Focus on free will and obedience: “Paradise Lost” places a strong emphasis on the themes of free will, obedience, and the consequences of choices made in the exercise of free will. Although these themes are present in the Bible, Milton’s poem explores them in greater depth and detail.
4. Theological and philosophical explorations: In “Paradise Lost,” Milton engages with various theological and philosophical issues, such as the nature of evil, the role of divine providence, and the problem of theodicy (the question of why a good and omnipotent God allows evil to exist). While these issues are touched upon in the Bible, the poem looks into them more deeply, offering a unique perspective on these complex questions.
5. Poetic style and language: “Paradise Lost” is written in a sophisticated, elevated poetic style, using blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) and employing a wide range of literary devices and allusions. The language of the Bible, particularly the Book of Genesis, is more straightforward and less adorned.
6. Inclusion of classical and other literary influences: In addition to drawing from the Bible, “Paradise Lost” incorporates elements from classical literature, such as Greek and Roman mythology, as well as other literary works and traditions. This integration of various influences adds depth and complexity to the poem and distinguishes it from the biblical source material.

“Paradise Lost” is a creative interpretation and expansion of the biblical story of the fall of man. While it shares similarities with the biblical narrative, it is a distinct work of literature that explores its own themes, characters, and ideas, offering a unique and enduring contribution to the canon of English literature.