John Milton's epic poem 'Paradise Lost' (1667) delves into the complexities of the human condition and its relationship with the divine. Through his writing, Milton prompts readers to contemplate the meaning of humanity, the reasoning behind Adam and Eve's downfall, and the root of Satan's animosity towards humanity.
John Milton, born in 1608, was a renowned poet, civil servant, and philosopher. He received a traditional education and enrolled at Cambridge from 1625 to 1629. During this period, he authored notable works such as Elegia Prima (1626), L'Allegro (1645), and Il Penseroso (1645/6).
However, Milton's controversial political pamphlets, including 'Of Reformation touching Church Discipline in England' and 'Of Prelatical Episcopacy' (1641), sparked intense controversy. His stance on divorce, influenced by his first wife's betrayal, was also met with backlash when he published 'The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce,' 'The Judgment of Martin Bucer,' 'Tetrachordon,' and 'Colasterion.' In response, Milton defended free speech and opposed censorship in his work 'Areopagitica' (1644).
After the execution of King Charles I in 1649, Milton joined Oliver Cromwell's republican regime. He served as the Secretary for Foreign Tongues and wrote political pieces like 'Eikonoklastes' (1649), 'Defensio pro Populo Anglicano' (1652), and 'Defensio Secunda' (1654).
Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and the coronation of King Charles II, Milton went into hiding, having lost his sight completely. It was during this period that he dictated 'Paradise Lost' to his aides and daughter. The poem was published in 1667, followed by a sequel, 'Paradise Regained,' in 1671.
Milton's life was marked by political and religious turmoil, which significantly influenced his work and 'Paradise Lost.' The English Civil War arose in 1629 after Charles I, a staunch believer in the divine right of Kings, dissolved parliament. Oliver Cromwell, whom Milton supported, rose to power, but after his death, Charles II returned from exile and reclaimed the throne in 1660.
In his writings, Milton condemned the Church of England, led by Archbishop William Laud, who persecuted nonconformist Puritans and bishops. This fueled Milton's conviction as a devout Puritan and his belief in strict adherence to Christian principles and scripture.
'Paradise Lost': An Overview
The poem is divided into two volumes, with books I-IV and V-VIII dedicated to the fall of man.
In book I, the story commences in Hell after Satan and the fallen angels' defeat by God's army. Satan and his companions construct Pandaemonium, the capital city of Hell, and strategize their plans to overthrow God in book II. Meanwhile, in book III, God sends his son, Jesus, to redeem humanity, while Satan plots against God in book IV.
The focus then shifts to Adam and Eve in books V-VIII, as they are tempted by Satan to eat the forbidden fruit. God sends Raphael to warn Adam about Satan's schemes, but the first humans succumb to temptation, resulting in their downfall and the fall of humanity.
In the epic poem 'The Paradise Lost', Satan, disguised as a cherub, deceives Uriel, the guardian of the entrance to Earth, and gains access to Paradise. He observes Adam and Eve and learns about their prohibition from eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. He realizes the potential to corrupt mankind and sets out to tempt them.
Initially suspicious of the cherub, Uriel reports to Gabriel, who orders his angels to search Paradise for any trespassers. They discover Satan and force him to reveal his true form, sparking a potential battle with Gabriel. However, God intervenes and stops the conflict.
In the meantime, Adam and Eve awaken and Eve reveals having strange dreams about a mysterious voice urging her to consume the forbidden fruit. In order to preserve their free will, God sends Raphael to Earth to warn them about Satan's intentions. Raphael shares with them the story of the angels and the war in Heaven.
In the recounting, Raphael explains how Satan, once the mightiest among the angels, became malicious and envious when God announced the birth of his son. With a third of all angels, Satan rebelled against God, claiming equality and accusing Him of oppressive rule. He was further insulted by the arrival of God's son. All angels, except for Abdiel, joined Satan in the North of Heaven. Abdiel, however, remained faithful and returned to God, informing Him of Satan's betrayal. God allowed events to unfold to teach a lesson to Satan. The two armies clashed, and Satan's forces were defeated, falling for nine days before being cast into Hell.
Raphael shares this story with Adam to warn him of the consequences of disobedience. He then tells him about the creation of the universe and its inhabitants. Curious, Adam asks about space, the Solar System, and their own existence. However, Raphael cautions Adam against seeking knowledge that God has not revealed about the material world.
Adam thanks Raphael and tells him about his own creation and his first encounter with Eve. After reminding Adam to not see Eve as his superior except in beauty, Raphael departs.
The focus shifts back to Satan, who observes the inhabitants of Eden and finds inspiration in a serpent. Taking on its form, he waits for the opportune moment. Adam and Eve decide to work separately, and Eve reveals her desire to prove her independence and resist Satan's temptation.
As Eve tends to her garden, Satan, in snake form, approaches her and speaks to her. He claims to have the ability to speak, unlike other creatures in Eden, because he ate the fruit of knowledge. He leads Eve to the Tree of Knowledge and convinces her that consuming the fruit would be an act of bravery, making her and Adam equal to God.
Eve, tempted by the serpent, eats the forbidden fruit and shares it with Adam. Guilt-ridden, Adam follows suit in order to be with his beloved. After consummating their relationship, they both realize the gravity of their actions and feel shame for the first time. Fearing God's wrath, they cover themselves with fig leaves and engage in a heated argument, blaming each other for their downfall.
God, aware of their disobedience, sends Jesus to Earth to judge them. Jesus condemns and curses the serpent to crawl on its belly for eternity as punishment. Adam's sentence is to constantly toil on the land, while Eve's is to suffer in childbirth and be subservient to her husband.
Sin and Death, sensing Satan's success in corrupting Earth, venture out of Hell and build a bridge connecting the two. Under Satan's instruction, they further corrupt the planet. Satan boasts of his victory in Pandemonium, only to find that his army has been transformed into snakes. He himself is turned into a dragon, and Death begins to feast on creatures. Despite God's awareness, He allows Sin and Death to remain on Earth until Judgment Day.
Meanwhile, Adam and Eve are miserable and continue to argue. Eve even contemplates suicide. In a moment of desperation, they return to the place they were first punished and beg for God's forgiveness. Michael is sent by God to expel them from Paradise, but before doing so, he shows Adam humanity's future, giving him comfort. Adam and Eve leave Paradise, resigned to their fate.
The epic poem features various characters, including:
