Paradise Lost: A Poetic Journey from Creation to Redemption
Paradise Lost: An Epic Poem by John Milton
Introduction
Paradise Lost is one of the most famous and influential works of English literature. It was written by John Milton, a 17th-century poet and political activist who lived during a turbulent period of civil war, religious conflict and political revolution. Milton was a devout Puritan who supported the Parliamentarian cause against the monarchy of Charles I. He also defended the freedom of speech, the press and religion in his prose works.
Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is an epic poem that tells the biblical story of the creation and fall of humankind, as well as the rebellion and punishment of Satan and his fallen angels. It is divided into 12 books, each consisting of hundreds of lines of blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter). Milton wrote Paradise Lost between 1658 and 1667, after he had lost his eyesight and had to dictate his verses to a series of amanuenses (scribes).
What is Paradise Lost about?
The poem begins with an invocation to a heavenly muse, in which Milton states his intention to "justify the ways of God to men" (Book 1, line 26). He then presents a summary of the plot, which covers the following events:
The war in heaven between God and his loyal angels against Satan and his rebel angels, who are defeated and cast into hell.
The creation of the world and everything in it by God's Son, who is also called the Word or Messiah.
The temptation and fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they are placed by God as his representatives and given one commandment: not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
The consequences of their disobedience: they lose their innocence, their happiness, their immortality and their place in paradise. They also bring sin, death and suffering into the world.
The mercy and justice of God, who sends his Son to offer himself as a sacrifice for humankind's redemption. He also sends the archangel Michael to expel Adam and Eve from paradise, but not before showing them a vision of the future history of humanity until the final judgment.
Why is Paradise Lost important?
Paradise Lost is important for several reasons. First, it is a masterpiece of poetic craftsmanship, language and imagery. Milton uses a rich and varied vocabulary, drawn from classical, biblical and contemporary sources. He also employs various literary devices, such as similes, metaphors, allusions, personifications and allegories. He creates vivid descriptions of heaven, hell, earth and chaos, as well as complex and nuanced characters.
Second, it is a profound exploration of theological, philosophical and moral issues. Milton tackles questions such as: What is the nature and purpose of God? Why does evil exist? How do humans exercise their free will? What is the role of reason and faith? How can humans achieve salvation? He also reflects on his own personal experiences, such as his blindness, his political views and his artistic aspirations.
Third, it is a powerful and influential source of inspiration for other writers and artists. Paradise Lost has inspired many works of literature, music, art and film, such as Joseph Haydn's oratorio The Creation, John Keats's poem Endymion, William Blake's illustrations, Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein and Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials.
Main Body
The Structure and Style of Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is an epic poem, which means that it follows the conventions of the classical epics of Homer and Virgil. These include:
The 12-book format
Milton originally published Paradise Lost in 10 books in 1667, but later revised it into 12 books in 1674, following the model of Virgil's Aeneid. Each book has a brief argument or summary at the beginning, and is divided into sections by numbers. The 12 books are roughly symmetrical, with Books 1-6 focusing on Satan and his followers, and Books 7-12 focusing on Adam and Eve. The poem also has a circular structure, as it begins and ends with the image of Satan and his fallen angels in hell.
The blank verse
Milton chose to write Paradise Lost in blank verse, which is a form of poetry that does not rhyme, but has a regular rhythm based on stressed and unstressed syllables. Each line has five pairs of syllables, called iambs, which form an iambic pentameter. For example:
Of man's first dis/o/be/dience, and the fruit (Book 1, line 1)
Milton uses blank verse to create a flexible and expressive style that can suit different moods, tones and characters. He also varies the rhythm by using techniques such as enjambment (running one line into another), inversion (changing the word order), elision (omitting a syllable) and caesura (a pause within a line).
The epic conventions
Milton also follows some of the traditional features of epic poetry, such as:
The invocation of the muse: Milton asks for the help of the Holy Spirit, whom he identifies as the heavenly muse, to inspire him and guide him in his poetic task.
The epic question: Milton poses a rhetorical question at the beginning of the poem, which summarizes his main theme: "Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top / Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire / That shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed / In the beginning how the heav'ns and earth / Rose out of Chaos: or if Sion hill / Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook that flow'd / Fast by the oracle of God; I thence / Invoke thy aid to my advent'rous song / That with no middle flight intends to soar / Above th' Aonian mount, while it pursues / Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. / And chiefly thou O Spirit, that dost prefer / Before all temples th' upright heart and pure / Instruct me, for thou know'st; thou from the first / Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread / Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss / And mad'st it pregnant: what in me is dark / Illumine, what is low raise and support; / That to the highth of this great argument / I may assert eternal Providence / And justify the ways of God to men." (Book 1, lines 6-26)
The in medias res technique: Milton begins his story in the middle of the action, with Satan and his followers already in hell after their defeat. He then uses flashbacks and visions to fill in the previous events.
The epic similes: Milton uses extended comparisons between two unlike things to create vivid images and enhance his descriptions. For example, he compares Satan's shield to the moon: "His ponderous shield / Ethereal temper, massy, large and round / Behind him cast; the broad circumference / Hung on his shoulders like the moon whose orb / Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views / At ev'ning from the top of Fesole / Or in Valdarno to descry new lands" (Book 1, lines 284-290)
The catalogues: Milton lists the names and attributes of various characters or things to give a sense of their number and variety. For example, he catalogues the fallen angels in Book 1 (lines 376-521) and the animals in Book 7 (lines 463-495).
The Characters and Themes of Paradise Lost
The Characters and Themes of Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost features a complex and dynamic cast of characters, each representing different aspects of human nature, divine attributes or evil tendencies. The main characters are:
God, the Father and the Son
God is the omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent creator of the universe. He is also the supreme judge and ruler of heaven and earth. He is depicted as a majestic king, sitting on a throne surrounded by his angels. He is often referred to as "the Almighty" or "the Father".
The Son is the second person of the Trinity, who is also called the Word or the Messiah. He is the agent of creation, who speaks everything into being by God's command. He is also the redeemer of humankind, who offers himself as a sacrifice to atone for their sins. He is depicted as a radiant warrior, who leads the heavenly army against Satan and his followers. He is often referred to as "the Son" or "the Savior".
God and the Son are the main protagonists of the poem, who represent the themes of order, justice, love and grace. They are contrasted with Satan and his followers, who represent chaos, tyranny, hate and pride.
Satan, Sin and Death
Satan is the leader of the rebel angels, who was once the most beautiful and powerful of God's creatures. He is also called Lucifer or Beelzebub. He became envious of God's Son and tried to overthrow him, but failed and was cast into hell. He is depicted as a cunning and charismatic figure, who can assume various shapes and forms. He is often referred to as "the Adversary" or "the Tempter".
Sin is Satan's daughter, who was born from his head when he conceived his rebellion. She is also his lover, who gave birth to his son, Death. She is depicted as a woman from the waist up, but with snakes for hair and a serpent's tail. She guards the gates of hell with her son.
Death is Satan's son and grandson, who was born from his incestuous union with Sin. He is depicted as a shapeless and dreadful monster, who devours everything in his path. He follows his father to earth and builds a bridge between hell and earth.
Satan, Sin and Death are the main antagonists of the poem, who represent the themes of disobedience, corruption and destruction. They are contrasted with God, the Son and their loyal angels, who represent obedience, purity and creation.
Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve are the first human beings, created by God in his image and likeness. They are placed in the Garden of Eden as his representatives and given dominion over all living things. They are also given one commandment: not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Adam is depicted as a noble and rational man, who loves God and Eve. He is curious about his origin and purpose, but also obedient to God's will. He is often referred to as "the First" or "the Father".
Eve is depicted as a beautiful and graceful woman, who loves Adam and God. She is more emotional and imaginative than Adam, but also more vulnerable to temptation. She is often referred to as "the Mother" or "the Fair".
Adam and Eve are the main human characters of the poem, who represent the themes of innocence, happiness and love. They are contrasted with Satan and his followers, who represent guilt, misery and hate.
Disobedience, Free Will and Grace
The central theme of Paradise Lost is disobedience and its consequences. The poem shows how disobedience leads to sin, death and suffering for both angels and humans. It also shows how disobedience affects their relationship with God and each other.
However, disobedience also implies free will, which is a gift from God to his creatures. The poem explores how free will allows both angels and humans to choose between good and evil, obedience and rebellion, love and hate.
Finally, disobedience also opens the way for grace, which is God's unmerited favor and forgiveness. The poem reveals how grace enables both angels and humans to repent, to be redeemed and to be restored to God's favor.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Paradise Lost is a remarkable epic poem that combines classical and biblical sources to create a unique and powerful vision of the Christian worldview. It tells the story of the creation and fall of humankind, as well as the rebellion and punishment of Satan and his fallen angels. It also explores the themes of disobedience, free will and grace, as well as the characters and attributes of God, the Son, Satan, Sin, Death, Adam and Eve.
The legacy and influence of Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is not only a masterpiece of English literature, but also a source of inspiration and influence for many other writers and artists. It has shaped the way we think about God, Satan, sin, redemption, paradise and hell. It has also inspired many works of literature, music, art and film, such as Joseph Haydn's oratorio The Creation, John Keats's poem Endymion, William Blake's illustrations, Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein and Philip Pullman's trilogy His Dark Materials.
Paradise Lost is a poem that challenges us to reflect on our own beliefs, values and choices. It invites us to question the ways of God and to justify them. It also encourages us to seek grace and hope in a fallen world.
FAQs
What is the main message of Paradise Lost?
The main message of Paradise Lost is that disobedience to God leads to sin, death and suffering, but also opens the way for grace, redemption and restoration.
Who is the hero of Paradise Lost?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question, as different readers may have different opinions. Some may argue that Satan is the hero, as he is the most dynamic and charismatic character in the poem. Others may argue that Adam or Eve are the heroes, as they are the most sympathetic and relatable characters in the poem. Still others may argue that the Son is the hero, as he is the most noble and selfless character in the poem.
Why did Milton write Paradise Lost?
Milton wrote Paradise Lost for several reasons. He wanted to write a great epic poem for the English language, in the tradition of Homer and Virgil. He wanted to express his religious beliefs and political views, as a devout Puritan and a supporter of the Parliamentarian cause. He wanted to justify the ways of God to men, especially in light of the civil war, the execution of Charles I and the restoration of Charles II. He also wanted to fulfill his artistic aspirations and overcome his personal challenges, such as his blindness.
How does Milton portray Satan in Paradise Lost?
Milton portrays Satan in Paradise Lost as a complex and ambiguous character. On one hand, he is a proud and rebellious angel who defies God and leads a civil war in heaven. He is also a cunning and persuasive tempter who deceives Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. On the other hand, he is a tragic and sympathetic figure who suffers from remorse, despair and self-doubt. He is also a heroic and admirable figure who displays courage, determination and eloquence.
How does Milton use classical references in Paradise Lost?
Milton uses classical references in Paradise Lost to enrich his poem with various literary devices, such as allusions, similes, metaphors and personifications. He also uses classical references to show his respect for his ancient predecessors, such as Homer and Virgil. He also uses classical references to contrast his Christian worldview with their pagan worldview.
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