The Epic Summary of Paradise Lost Good vs Evil explores the dramatic conflict between Satan’s rebellion and mankind’s fall.
Paradise Lost Book 1: The Fall of Satan
The Story Begins:
Paradise Lost by John Milton starts by talking about the very first mistake made by humans, which was Adam and Eve disobeying God. They ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge even though God had told them not to. This bad choice brought death, sadness, and suffering into the world. But Milton also talks about hope because one day, a “greater man” will come to make everything right and bring humans back to paradise.
Milton Asks for Help:
Milton wants to tell the story in the best way possible, so he asks for help from a special guide called a “Muse.” In many ancient stories, a Muse was like a magical goddess that helped poets write. But Milton doesn’t ask for the usual Muse from old Greek myths.
Instead, he asks for the Holy Spirit—the same spirit that helped Moses write the story of creation in the Bible. Milton believes this Muse is much more powerful because it comes from God. He asks the Holy Spirit to guide him in explaining why God allowed bad things to happen and how everything was part of His plan.
Why Did Adam and Eve Disobey?
After asking for help, Milton wants to explain what caused Adam and Eve to make such a big mistake. He says that it wasn’t all their fault—they were tricked by Satan, who was once an angel in Heaven. Satan was very proud and wanted to be more powerful than God. He started a war in Heaven, but he lost the battle. God punished Satan by throwing him and his followers out of Heaven. They fell through a dark abyss for nine days and landed in Hell, where they lay in a burning lake for nine more days.
Satan Wakes Up in Hell
The poem then focuses on Satan. After falling into Hell, he wakes up feeling dazed and confused. Hell is a terrible place, filled with fire, but it is also completely dark. Next to Satan is his closest friend, Beelzebub, who was also thrown out of Heaven.
Satan finally speaks, breaking the silence. He feels sad about how far he has fallen from being a beautiful angel to becoming a demon in Hell. Even though Satan knows he has been defeated, he does not feel sorry for what he did. He refuses to say God’s name, but he promises to keep fighting against God’s rule. He says that his spirit is too strong to be destroyed and that he will never give up.
Beelzebub’s Response
Beelzebub, Satan’s second-in-command, also speaks. He tells Satan that maybe God is as powerful as He claimed to be. Beelzebub thinks that God didn’t destroy them completely because He wanted them to suffer forever. Satan doesn’t disagree, but he stays determined to always do evil. He even plans to turn God’s good plans into bad ones. Satan then suggests that they leave the burning lake and find a better place in Hell to continue their plans.
The Size and Strength of Satan
As Satan tries to stand up, Milton describes how big and powerful Satan still is. His body is as large as a whale or a giant from ancient Greek myths. Slowly, Satan pulls himself out of the burning lake. Beelzebub follows him, and they spread their wings and fly to dry land. They are happy that they could do this by themselves, without any help from God.
Satan’s Thoughts About Hell
While flying, Satan looks around and sees how awful Hell is compared to the beauty of Heaven. But instead of feeling sad, Satan tries to stay positive. He says that “The mind is its own place, and in itself / Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” This means that Satan believes his mind can make Hell seem better than it really is. He decides that it is “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.” This means he would rather be a king in Hell than a servant in Heaven. After this, Beelzebub suggests that Satan call the other fallen angels to join them on land.
The Army of Fallen Angels
Satan grabs his armor and calls his army to join him. Even though they are in pain and feel ashamed, the fallen angels obey Satan and pull themselves out of the fiery lake. Milton explains that these angels used to have beautiful names in Heaven, but now they have new names and are worshipped as false gods by humans.
Some of these fallen angels include:
Moloch, who later becomes a god that demands people to sacrifice their children.
Astoreth, an ancient goddess of fertility.
Dagon, a sea-monster god.
Belial, a violent god who will corrupt people in places like Sodom.
These fallen angels look up to Satan, and they feel hope when they see his strong appearance. Even though they have lost, they still wear their war gear, and they raise their banners and spears, creating an impressive sight as they gather into ranks.
Satan’s Moment of Remorse
When Satan sees his powerful army, he feels a moment of sadness. He realizes that he caused all of their suffering by leading them into rebellion against God. But this feeling doesn’t last long. Satan quickly becomes determined again and tells his army that they will continue fighting against God. The only question is whether they should go back to open war or try more sneaky tactics. Satan also mentions that God had spoken about creating a new world, and maybe they could escape there to cause more trouble.
The Fallen Angels Prepare for Battle
At Satan’s words, all the rebel angels draw their flaming swords and reaffirm their defiance against Heaven. They are ready to fight again. They fly to a nearby hill and start digging into the earth, finding gold and other valuable minerals. They are led by a devil named Mammon, who loves riches. Even in Heaven, Mammon was always looking at the golden streets instead of admiring God.
Building a Temple in Hell
The fallen angels use their powers to quickly build a massive temple. This temple is larger and more magnificent than the pyramids of Egypt. The architect of the temple is a devil named Mulciber, who in Greek myths becomes Hephaestus, the god of fire and metalworking. The temple is called Pandaemonium, which means “the place of all demons.” The devils have the ability to change their size, so they shrink from giants into tiny dwarfs to fit inside the temple. Once inside, they sit on golden seats and begin their debate on what to do next.
Paradise Lost Book 2: The Council in Hell
The Great Meeting in Hell
In Paradise Lost, Book 2 begins with a big meeting of all the fallen angels in Hell. They are in a grand temple called Pandemonium, and Satan, their leader, sits on a golden throne. Satan starts the meeting by telling the other devils that not all hope is lost. He thinks that, if they work together, they might fight God again and win back Heaven.
He asks the other devils what they should do next: Should they fight God openly in another war, or should they try something sneaky?
Moloch: The Warrior’s Choice
The first devil to speak is Moloch, who loves fighting. Moloch wants to go to war again right away. He says that nothing could be worse than living in Hell, so they have nothing to lose. He thinks that even if they don’t win, at least they can disturb the peace in Heaven and make God feel hurt.
Belial: The Peacemaker
After Moloch, the devil Belial speaks. He is very calm and smart, but his words are not always honest. Belial disagrees with Moloch. He says that if they attack God again, God might punish them even more. Belial points out that they are no longer chained to the fiery lake, and right now, they are sitting peacefully. He thinks they should stay quiet and hope that God will eventually forgive them. But really, Belial is just afraid of more pain and wants to avoid any action.
Mammon: The Hard Worker
Next, Mammon shares his thoughts. Mammon says that they should never bow down to God again because they already know what freedom feels like. He doesn’t think going back to war will work, but instead, he suggests that they focus on making Hell a better place. They can mine the gold and other materials in Hell and build their own kingdom to rival Heaven.
When Mammon finishes speaking, all the devils clap and cheer. They like his idea the most because they don’t want to suffer any worse than they already are.
Beelzebub: The Plan for Revenge
Finally, Beelzebub stands up, and everyone becomes quiet to listen. Beelzebub agrees with Mammon that they should stay free in Hell, but he says they aren’t really free because God is still in charge. Then, he shares a new plan. He has heard a rumor that God is planning to create a new world, filled with creatures called humans. These humans will be weaker than angels, but God will love them more.
Beelzebub suggests that, instead of fighting God directly, they should find this new world and destroy or corrupt the humans. That way, they can take revenge on God by ruining His new creation. All the devils agree with this plan, and they vote to follow it.
Satan’s Brave Offer
Now that they have a plan, the devils need someone to go on a dangerous journey to find this new world. For a while, no one wants to volunteer because they are all scared of the “dreadful voyage.” After a long silence, Satan proudly steps forward and offers to go himself. He promises to face all the dangers of the journey so that he can lead them to victory. The other devils are happy with Satan’s bravery, and they praise him as a great leader.
Satan’s Journey to the Gates of Hell
While the other devils stay behind to make Hell “more tolerable,” Satan begins his journey. He flies toward the gates of Hell, which are guarded by two strange figures. One is a woman from the waist up, but her lower half is a snake. Around her waist are howling dogs. The other figure is a dark, shadowy shape. Satan first confronts the dark figure and demands to be let through the gates.
Sin and Death: Satan’s Children
Before they can fight, the woman-snake figure stops them. She calls Satan “father” and explains that she is Sin, and the dark figure is Death, their son. Sin tells Satan that she was born from his head when he first thought of rebelling against God. After that, Satan fell in love with her, and together they had a child, Death. Sin and Death now guard the gates of Hell.
Satan, who had forgotten about this, is surprised. He then shares his plan to destroy the new world that God is going to create, and he promises to bring Sin and Death with him once he’s ready. Both Sin and Death are excited to help Satan. Sin takes out a key and unlocks the gates of Hell.
Entering Chaos
Once the gates open, Satan steps into a dark and wild place called Chaos. Chaos is where all the raw materials of the universe are, and everything is constantly battling—hot, cold, wet, and dry. Chaos is ruled by a being also named Chaos, along with his partner, Night. When Satan enters this strange realm, he starts to fall, but a fiery wind catches him and lifts him up again.
Satan Meets Chaos
Satan hears a loud noise and flies toward it. He meets Chaos, Night, and other beings like Confusion and Discord. Satan respectfully asks Chaos for directions to the new world, and he promises to bring everything back to disorder if Chaos helps him. Chaos agrees and shows Satan the way to the new world where humans will live.
The Bridge from Hell to Earth
As Satan continues on his journey, it becomes more difficult, but he pushes forward. Meanwhile, back in Hell, Sin and Death begin to build a bridge from Hell to Earth. This bridge will allow devils to easily travel to the human world and tempt humans to do bad things. It will also make it easier for humans to fall into Hell.
The Journey Continues
Finally, Satan sees a small light in the distance, which is the new world. It shines in the middle of the huge darkness of Chaos. Satan is getting closer to Earth, where he plans to bring evil and ruin God’s creation. As he gets nearer, the journey becomes easier, and he prepares for his next move.
Paradise Lost Book 3: God’s Foreknowledge and the Offer of Redemption
Milton’s Prayer to Holy Light
Book 3 of Paradise Lost starts with the poet, John Milton, asking for help from “holy Light.” He calls this Light the first thing that came from Heaven. Milton, who is blind, asks for this heavenly Light to shine inside his mind and heart. He hopes it will help him understand and describe the great events of Heaven, God, and creation.
God Sees Everything
The scene moves to Heaven, where God sits on His throne with His Son beside Him. From Heaven, God watches everything happening on Earth, Hell, and everywhere else. He sees Satan flying out of Hell and heading towards Earth to deceive Adam and Eve. God also knows what will happen in the future—how Satan will trick Adam and Eve into disobeying Him.
God tells His Son that Adam and Eve will listen to Satan’s lies and make the wrong choice, but He says that it is their own free will to choose right or wrong. God explains that He gave humans free will because without it, they couldn’t truly love or worship Him. He says that although humans will fall into sin, He will be merciful because they will be tempted by Satan. However, for Satan and his angels, there will be no mercy because they chose to turn against God on their own.
The Son’s Promise
After God finishes speaking, His Son asks if God will let all humans be lost forever because of their mistake. The Son praises God for His kindness and asks if there is a way to save humanity. God responds by saying that a great sacrifice is needed. Someone must die to pay for humanity’s sins and satisfy God’s justice.
God asks if anyone in Heaven is willing to make this sacrifice. The angels are silent, but then the Son steps forward and volunteers. He promises to become a human, die for their sins, and defeat Death, bringing salvation to all who believe in Him. The Son says He will return to Heaven with the people He saves, and God will be both just and merciful.
The Angels Sing
All of Heaven is filled with joy when the Son volunteers. The angels sing praises to God and the Son, celebrating the love, mercy, and wisdom of God. They throw down their crowns and worship the Son for His bravery and selflessness.
God explains that through the Son’s sacrifice, He will bring good out of the evil caused by Satan. He says that one day, the Son will return to Earth, resurrect the faithful, and shut the gates of Hell forever. Then, Earth will be transformed into a new paradise where humans will live with God forever.
Satan’s Journey to Earth
The scene shifts back to Satan, who is flying towards Earth. He lands in what we now call China, but there are no people, animals, or buildings yet because this is before the world was fully formed. As Satan explores, he comes across a golden gate with stairs leading from Earth to Heaven. This is the same ladder that the biblical Jacob will dream about later, with angels going up and down.
Satan climbs a few steps and looks around at the beautiful Earth below him, but instead of feeling joy, he is filled with jealousy. He wishes he could destroy everything. The shining sun above catches his eye, reminding him of the light of Heaven. Satan flies towards the sun, hoping to find more angels there.
Satan Meets Uriel
When Satan reaches the sun, he sees an angel standing on a hill. This angel is Uriel, one of the seven most powerful angels who stand closest to God. To trick Uriel, Satan transforms into a Cherub, a small, lower-ranking angel.
Satan approaches Uriel and speaks very respectfully, pretending to be a curious young angel. He says that he has come down from Heaven to see the wonderful new world that God has created. Satan’s disguise is so perfect that Uriel doesn’t realize who he really is. Uriel is happy that the young Cherub is eager to learn more about God’s creation. He explains how God formed the world out of the elements—earth, air, fire, and water—and brought order to the chaos. Then, Uriel points out the location of Paradise, the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve live.
Satan thanks Uriel and flies off towards Paradise, excited to begin his evil plan to deceive Adam and Eve.
Paradise Lost Book 4: Satan Enters Eden
Satan’s Regret and Anger
Book 4 of Paradise Lost starts with Satan feeling sad and full of doubt as he lands near the Garden of Eden, also called Paradise. As he looks at the beautiful, peaceful land, Satan remembers his past glory when he was a great angel in Heaven. He feels guilty for rebelling against God, who had always been kind to him. Satan wonders if things would have been better if he had not been made so powerful, because maybe then he wouldn’t have tried to take over Heaven.
For a moment, Satan thinks about repenting and asking God for forgiveness, but he quickly realizes that this isn’t possible. He knows he couldn’t truly bow down to God again, because his heart is full of hate. He accepts that he is doomed to live in misery forever. Satan also realizes that no matter where he goes—even in the beautiful Paradise—he carries Hell inside him. This makes him decide to continue doing evil things and try to ruin God’s good works.
Satan Enters Eden
Satan hides his true self and tries to blend in, but his emotions show on his face. This reveals to the archangel Uriel, who is watching, that Satan is not who he pretended to be earlier. Uriel now realizes that Satan has tricked him.
Ignoring Uriel’s discovery, Satan arrives at the edge of Paradise, which is surrounded by a tall wall of thick bushes and trees. Satan leaps over the wall easily, like a wolf sneaking into a pen of sheep. Once inside Eden, Satan is amazed by the lush beauty of the garden. He sees all kinds of animals living in peace and harmony, as well as many tall trees, including the Tree of Life and the forbidden Tree of Knowledge.
Disguising himself as a cormorant, a large sea bird, Satan perches on top of the Tree of Life. From there, he looks down and sees two humans walking hand in hand. These are Adam and Eve, and they are unlike any other creatures in the garden. They are more noble and beautiful, shining with the image of God, their Creator. Even though they are naked, they feel no shame, and they work happily in the garden.
Satan’s Jealousy Grows
As Satan watches Adam and Eve, he feels torn. He is struck by how innocent and happy they are, and for a moment, he even thinks he could love them. But then envy and anger take over. Satan is furious that they get to live in such peace and joy while he is stuck in misery. He knows that he cannot feel love anymore and is destined to do evil. This hardens his heart, and he resolves to ruin their happiness by tempting them to break God’s rule.
Adam and Eve Talk About God’s Command
While Satan watches, Adam and Eve sit down to rest by a fountain. Adam speaks to Eve, reminding her of all the blessings God has given them. He tells her they must be grateful for everything, especially for the beautiful garden they get to live in. Adam also says they need to obey the one rule God has given them: not to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, because it will bring death. Adam doesn’t know exactly what death is, but he knows it’s something terrible.
Eve agrees with Adam and praises him as her leader. She then tells him about her first moments of life. She says she woke up under a beautiful tree, surrounded by flowers, not knowing where she was or who she was. She walked along a stream until she found a clear lake. When she looked into the water, she saw a reflection of herself and was amazed by her own beauty.
Eve says that she would have stayed staring at her reflection, but a voice spoke to her, telling her that the image was her own. The voice also told her that she was created from Adam and that they were meant to be together. At first, Eve thought Adam wasn’t as beautiful as her reflection, but when he called to her, she realized that he was wise and strong. From that moment, she knew that they belonged together.
Satan’s Plan
After hearing Eve’s story, Satan becomes more determined to trick them. He thinks that if he can convince them to break God’s rule and eat from the Tree of Knowledge, they will fall into sin, just like he did. This will ruin their perfect lives and separate them from God. With this plan in mind, Satan sneaks away to gather more information.
Gabriel’s Search for Satan
Meanwhile, Uriel flies to the gate of Eden, where Gabriel, the chief angel in charge of guarding Eden, is watching over the garden. Uriel tells Gabriel that he saw a suspicious spirit entering Eden. Gabriel promises that if the intruder is still in the garden, he will find him by morning.
As night falls, Adam and Eve finish their day’s work and return to their home, a beautiful shelter made of leaves and flowers. Before going to bed, they pray to God, thanking Him for their blessings and praising His goodness. After their prayer, they lie down together, enjoying a pure and innocent love, free from any sin.
The Angels Find Satan
While Adam and Eve sleep, Gabriel sends out angels to search the garden for Satan. Two angels, Ithuriel and Zephon, find Satan disguised as a toad, sitting near Eve and whispering evil thoughts into her dreams. The angels catch Satan and force him to return to his true form.
When they bring Satan before Gabriel, Satan tries to defend himself, claiming that he left Hell only to ease his own pain. But Gabriel knows Satan is lying and challenges him. This angers Satan, and he grows large and terrifying, ready to fight. The angels prepare for battle, and it seems like a great fight is about to begin.
God’s Sign
Just as the battle is about to start, a sign from Heaven appears—a pair of Golden Scales in the sky. These scales show the balance between the possible outcomes of the fight. One side represents the outcome of Satan staying to fight, while the other side represents him leaving. The side representing the fight flies up, showing that it would be worthless for Satan to continue. Seeing this, Satan realizes that he cannot win, so he flies away in defeat.
Paradise Lost Book 5: Raphael’s Warning
Eve’s Strange Dream
The next morning, Adam wakes up feeling well-rested, but Eve seems troubled. She tells Adam that she had a strange and disturbing dream. In her dream, she heard a voice calling her, and she thought it was Adam’s voice. The voice led her to the Tree of Knowledge, the one tree that God had forbidden them to eat from.
When she reached the tree, she saw a creature that looked like an angel. The angel took a fruit from the tree and ate it. He told Eve that the fruit would make her as wise as the gods and make her even happier. He then offered her a piece of the fruit. Eve felt like she ate the fruit in her dream, and then suddenly, she flew up into the sky with the angel. But then, the angel disappeared, and Eve woke up, relieved that it was only a dream.
Adam Reassures Eve
Adam is worried after hearing about Eve’s dream. He wonders how something evil could come into their perfect garden, but he tells Eve that she did nothing wrong because it was only a dream. Adam explains that dreams are not the same as real life, and she still has the power to choose good and obey God when she is awake. Eve feels comforted by Adam’s words, and they both pray and thank God for all the good things in their lives. After that, they go back to their daily work, taking care of the beautiful garden.
God Sends Raphael to Warn Adam
Meanwhile, in Heaven, God sees what is happening. He knows that Satan has entered the Garden of Eden and is trying to trick Adam and Eve into disobeying Him. God does not want Adam and Eve to fall into sin without understanding the dangers, so He calls the Archangel Raphael and tells him to go to Eden and warn Adam. Raphael’s job is to remind Adam and Eve that they have free will and the choice to obey or disobey God. This way, if they disobey, it will be their own fault, not God’s.
Raphael’s Visit
Raphael immediately flies down from Heaven to Eden. As he approaches, Adam sees the bright light of Raphael’s presence. Adam tells Eve to prepare their best food because a special guest is coming. Eve quickly prepares a delicious meal, and Adam steps outside to welcome Raphael. Adam bows to Raphael and invites him to stay with them for the day.
Raphael, who is a magnificent figure with six shining wings, accepts the invitation and enters their home. Eve, who is described as more beautiful than any goddess, greets Raphael as well. Raphael blesses Eve, knowing that she will be the mother of all humans. Then, they all sit down together to eat.
Heavenly and Earthly Food
During the meal, Adam is curious about how angels eat. Raphael explains that while angels are made of pure spirit, they can also enjoy earthly food. When angels eat, their bodies change the food into something pure, just like turning iron into gold. As they eat together, Raphael talks about how beautiful and perfect life was before the Fall, when angels and humans could eat together like friends.
Adam’s Questions About Obedience
After the meal, Adam is eager to learn more about Heaven and asks Raphael many questions. He asks about the difference between heavenly and earthly beings. Raphael explains that all living things have different levels. Plants, animals, and humans are all made from different types of matter, but humans are the most special because God gave them the ability to think and reason. Raphael also reminds Adam that he and Eve must always use their reason and free will to obey God.
Adam wonders why anyone would choose to disobey God. Raphael explains that God created all beings, including angels and humans, with free will. This means that everyone has the power to choose whether to follow God’s rules or not. Raphael tells Adam that some angels have chosen to disobey God, and as a result, they were cast out of Heaven and sent to Hell.
The Story of Satan’s Rebellion
Adam is curious to hear more about the rebellious angels, so Raphael begins to tell the story of Satan’s fall. Raphael explains that at one time, Heaven was peaceful, and all the angels followed God. But one day, God announced that He had created a Son, and the Son would rule at His right hand.
Most of the angels were happy about this news, but one powerful angel, Satan, was not. Satan was proud and believed that he deserved the same power as God. He was jealous of the Son and didn’t want to serve Him.
That night, Satan secretly gathered his closest followers, including his second-in-command, Beelzebub. He told them to meet in the northern part of Heaven to discuss what they would do. A third of the angels in Heaven joined Satan, believing that he was right. Satan set up his own throne and told the other angels that they should not be ruled by God and His Son. He promised them freedom if they followed him.
Abdiel’s Courage
In the crowd of angels, there was one named Abdiel. Abdiel was the only one who refused to follow Satan. He stood up and told Satan that he was wrong. Abdiel reminded everyone that God had created them and gave them life, so they should be loyal to Him. He warned them that if they didn’t repent, God would punish them for their pride.
Satan mocked Abdiel, and the other rebel angels laughed at him. But Abdiel was brave, and even though he was outnumbered, he flew back to God’s side, leaving the rebellious angels behind.
Paradise Lost Book 6: The War in Heaven
Raphael Continues the Story
In Book 6 of Paradise Lost, the Archangel Raphael continues his story about the great war in Heaven. He wants to explain everything in a way that Adam can understand, and he begins to tell how the conflict between Satan and God started.
Raphael mentions Abdiel, a brave angel who stood up to Satan during the rebellion. Abdiel returned to God after he saw the evil in Satan’s plans and was praised for his loyalty. God, pleased with Abdiel, appointed Michael as the leader of Heaven’s army, with Gabriel as his second-in-command. Their army was made up of just as many angels as Satan’s, ready to fight for God.
Preparing for Battle
As the two armies prepared for battle, Raphael describes how strange it is for angels to fight each other since they are all children of God. Both sides stood ready to fight. Satan rode in a golden chariot, looking like he wanted to be God, and this made Abdiel very angry. Abdiel couldn’t stand to see Satan’s pride, so he confronted him and called him out for his blasphemy.
Satan and Abdiel exchanged harsh words. Abdiel told Satan that God is the rightful King of Heaven, and they should serve Him instead of following Satan’s foolish ideas. Satan, filled with pride, refused to listen to Abdiel and insisted that he and his followers should not be ruled by anyone.
The Great Battle
Then, the battle began! Michael blew his trumpet, and both armies clashed. The fighting was fierce and chaotic, with angels using their great powers to strike each other. In the middle of the battle, Michael and Satan faced off. They exchanged insults before starting to fight. Michael, with a sword specially made by God, dealt a heavy blow to Satan, wounding him for the first time.
Even though Satan was injured, the rebel angels helped him retreat. Raphael explains that angels cannot be truly killed, only temporarily wounded, so Satan was able to recover quickly.
Satan’s New Strategy
The next day, Satan gathered his followers to plan their next move. He encouraged them, saying that although they felt pain, they could keep fighting forever because they would not suffer mortal injuries. This time, he suggested they build cannons as a new weapon to defeat the good angels.
During the night, Satan and his followers worked hard to build their cannons. The next morning, they unveiled their new weapons and bombarded the good angels. The angels were confused at first but quickly realized they needed to act.
Turning the Tide
To protect themselves, Michael instructed the good angels to pick up mountains and throw them at Satan’s army, burying the cannons and stopping their attacks. The rebel angels struggled to dig themselves out, and they began to lose hope.
As night fell, God decided to put an end to the battle. He sent His Son to confront the rebel angels. The Son rode into battle with the power of God behind Him, easily pushing Satan and his army back.
Satan’s Defeat
The Son drove the rebel angels, including Satan, all the way to the edge of Heaven. In fear of the Son’s mighty power, Satan and his followers jumped into the abyss below instead of facing Him. They fell for nine days through Chaos until they landed in Hell, a dark and fiery place.
Once the battle was over, the Son returned to Heaven in glory. All the angels praised Him and celebrated their victory. The Son sat down at God’s right hand, as a reward for His bravery.
Raphael’s Warning to Adam
After finishing the story, Raphael tells Adam that Satan is now plotting to ruin mankind. He warns Adam to be careful because Satan wants revenge against God by making humans sin. Raphael hopes Adam learns from Satan’s example and understands that he must not disobey God. He reminds Adam that he has free will and can choose to do what is right.
Paradise Lost Book 7: The Creation of the World
Milton Calls on Urania
As the story continues in Paradise Lost, the poet John Milton once again calls upon a Muse, this time Urania, the Muse of Astronomy. He asks her to help him tell the story of creation and to guide him away from misunderstandings and false ideas. Milton wants to make sure that he can explain everything clearly, especially as he transitions back to the conversation between the Archangel Raphael and Adam on Earth.
Adam’s Curiosity About Creation
Back in the beautiful Garden of Eden, Adam is grateful for the story Raphael has shared. However, his curiosity about creation grows stronger, and he asks Raphael how and why the world was made. Adam is a little worried that he might be asking too much, but he hopes that Raphael will share the important story with him.
Raphael reassures Adam that the story of creation is not a secret. It will help Adam praise God even more. He also reminds Adam to be careful about his desire for knowledge, saying that it should be balanced and not overwhelming.
God’s Decision to Create
Raphael begins his tale by explaining what happened after Satan and his followers were cast out of Heaven. God decided to create a new race of creatures and a new world. This was partly to help everyone forget the rebellion and partly to fill the ranks of His loyal followers again. God wanted to show Satan that He could create even more wonderful things, proving that Satan could not ruin His plans.
Raphael explains that God chose to create Earth and humans in a part of the universe that was empty. He intended to unite Heaven and Earth through humanity’s obedience.
The Creation of the World
God sent His Son down into the Chaos to begin creating the world. The first thing He did was bring light into the darkness, separating night from day. This marked the first day of creation.
On the second day, God divided the land from the water, making seas and rivers. On the third day, He created beautiful plants to grow on the land. On the fourth day, God made the sun, moon, and stars, giving them their places in the sky.
On the fifth day, God filled the waters with fish and the skies with birds. On the sixth day, He created all the animals on land. They appeared in pairs and lived together peacefully.
Creating Adam and Eve
Then, God made His “master work”—a special creature called Man. He created Adam in His own image from the dust of the earth and breathed life into him. God saw that Adam was lonely, so He made a companion for him, a woman named Eve. God told them to “Be fruitful and fill the earth,” giving them authority over all the plants and animals.
However, God also gave them one important command: they must not eat from the Tree of Knowledge because it would lead them to know about sin and death.
God’s Praise and Rest
Once God finished creating everything, He looked at His work and saw that it was all “entirely good.” He then returned to Heaven, hanging the mortal universe beneath Heaven so that angels could easily move between the two realms.
On the seventh day, God rested and enjoyed the beauty of His creation. This day became known as the Sabbath, a time for rest and reflection.
Raphael’s Final Thoughts
As Raphael finishes his tale, he asks Adam if there are any other questions he wants to know about. Raphael hopes Adam understands the importance of staying true to God and being aware of the danger that Satan poses.
Paradise Lost Book 8: Adam’s Story and Curiosity
Adam’s Questions About Creation
After Raphael finishes telling Adam about the creation of the world, Adam stands in awe and asks more questions. He wants to understand how the stars, sun, and planets move in the sky. Adam wonders why God created such huge heavenly bodies if they seem to circle around the smaller Earth. While Adam is curious, Eve decides to leave the conversation to tend to her flowers. She is not bored; she just prefers to hear the details later from Adam when they can enjoy each other’s company.
Raphael’s Answers
Raphael responds to Adam by explaining that size does not determine importance when it comes to heavenly bodies. He tells Adam that God has hidden His plans for how the stars move. Raphael doesn’t say if the Earth moves around the sun or if the sun moves around the Earth; instead, he says that it’s not important for Adam to know everything about God’s creation. He advises Adam to focus on the knowledge God has given him and not to seek answers beyond that.
Adam thanks Raphael for his wisdom and reassures him that he will be careful not to have “wand’ring thoughts” or vain ideas. Then, Adam excitedly offers to share what he remembers about his own creation. He enjoys Raphael’s company and wants to keep him there for as long as possible.
Adam’s Creation Story
Raphael is curious to hear Adam’s story since he was absent during Adam’s creation. He had been busy with a task from God, ensuring that the gates of Hell remained closed. Adam begins his tale: he remembers waking up and feeling the warmth of sunlight. He looked up at the sky and felt happy to be alive. He started to explore the beautiful plants and animals around him.
As Adam wandered, he discovered that he could talk and name everything he saw. He gave names to the features of the land and felt a desire to praise his Maker, God.
God’s Instructions to Adam
One day, God appeared to Adam and explained how and why he was created. God told Adam that he was in charge of the beautiful garden, Eden, and all the creatures in it. However, there was one important rule: Adam was not allowed to eat from the Tree of Knowledge because it would lead him to know about sin and death. If he disobeyed, he would lose his happiness and be cast out of the garden.
Creation of Eve
After seeing all the pairs of animals in Eden, Adam realized that he was alone and needed a companion. He longed for someone he could share his thoughts with, someone equal to him. Adam asked God for a companion, recognizing that he was not whole on his own. God agreed and put Adam into a deep sleep. While Adam slept, God took one of his ribs and created Eve from it. Adam remained aware of what was happening, even while he slept.
When Adam woke up and saw Eve, he was immediately enchanted by her beauty. He felt a strong love for her. God called Eve to Adam, and he thanked God for her creation, declaring that she would be his wife, “one flesh, one heart, one soul.”
Adam’s Love for Eve
As Adam described his feelings for Eve, he confessed to Raphael that he was very attracted to her physical beauty. He was aware that she was not as strong-minded or wise as he was, but in her presence, she seemed the wisest and best. Raphael, slightly concerned, warned Adam to be careful with his desires. He reminded Adam that he should focus on a pure love that joins their minds and souls. Adam is the head, and Eve should submit to him, as he is her superior in understanding.
Adam felt a little embarrassed by Raphael’s warning but continued to praise Eve, assuring Raphael that his love for her came from their deeper bond. Adam then asked if angels express their love like humans do. Raphael, slightly blushing, explained that angels do express love, but since they are pure spirits, they do not need physical forms to embrace.
Raphael’s Departure
As the sun began to set, Raphael said he must return to Heaven. Before he left, he reminded Adam to love God above all else and to be obedient, avoiding the temptations that Satan might bring. Adam thanked Raphael for his visit and the wisdom he shared. He then returned to his bower while Raphael flew back up to Heaven.
Paradise Lost Book 9: The Fall of Adam and Eve
Milton Calls on Urania
In Paradise Lost, John Milton starts this book by calling upon Urania, the Muse of Astronomy. He asks her to help him tell the important story of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. Milton feels that he must now shift from the friendly conversations between humans and angels to the tragic events that follow. He hopes that Urania will inspire him, as he worries he might be too old and not have enough strength to finish the story alone.
Satan’s Return to Eden
Satan has been hiding since he was banished from Heaven, but now he is ready to return to the Garden of Eden. He transforms himself into a mist and sneaks into the garden, avoiding the angels guarding it. After observing the beauty of Eden and feeling jealous of Adam and Eve’s happiness, Satan decides to disguise himself as a snake. He thinks this will be the perfect way to trick Eve.
The Beauty of Earth
As Satan looks around Eden, he feels torn. He realizes that Earth is even more beautiful than Heaven, but he can’t enjoy it because he is filled with anger and bitterness. He knows that Adam and Eve’s joy makes him feel worse. However, he decides he will use this beauty to execute his plan and ruin their happiness.
Eve Suggests Working Separately
The next morning, Adam and Eve wake up and praise God for their wonderful life in Eden. Eve suggests that they work separately to get more done in the garden. Adam is worried about this idea. He believes that if they are apart, they will be more vulnerable to Satan’s temptations. He wants to keep Eve safe by staying together, but Eve insists that she wants to prove she can handle things on her own.
Despite Adam’s concerns, Eve leaves to work on her flowers, looking more beautiful than any goddess. Adam asks her to come back for their meal later.
The Serpent Approaches Eve
Satan, in his snake disguise, is thrilled to see Eve alone. He praises her beauty and tells her that he has gained the ability to speak and think after eating a fruit from a special tree. He leads her to the Tree of Knowledge, enticing her with the promise of greater wisdom.
Eve is curious about the tree but remembers that God commanded them not to eat its fruit. Satan tries to convince her that eating the fruit will not bring death. Instead, he tells her it will make her more powerful and wise, saying that God wants to keep them ignorant.
The Temptation of Eve
Eve is tempted by Satan’s words. She looks at the beautiful fruit and thinks that God wouldn’t punish her for wanting knowledge. After pondering for a moment, she decides to take a bite of the forbidden fruit. At that moment, the Earth feels a wound, and everything begins to change.
Adam’s Choice
After eating the fruit, Eve is filled with a sense of excitement and wonder. She wants Adam to share this experience, so she runs to find him. Adam is shocked to see Eve holding the forbidden fruit. She tells him that she has eaten it and feels enlightened. Adam realizes that this is a terrible choice, but he cannot imagine living without Eve. He fears that if she is going to be punished, he wants to be punished too.
Adam decides to eat the fruit as well, saying that he cannot be without her. When he takes a bite, he feels invigorated at first, but soon everything changes.
The Awakening
After eating the fruit, Adam and Eve feel different. They awaken and see each other in a new light. They recognize their nakedness and feel shame for the first time. They try to cover themselves with fig leaves, losing the innocence they once had.
As they sit together, Adam and Eve begin to weep and argue about who is to blame for eating the fruit. Adam blames Eve for tempting him, while Eve argues that Adam should have been firmer with her. Their argument becomes filled with anger, jealousy, and blame.
Conclusion
Milton ends this part of the story with the acknowledgment that Adam and Eve’s fall from grace has begun. They no longer live in harmony, but rather feel anger and shame. They have lost their innocence, and with it, the beautiful paradise that once was their home.
Milton emphasizes that the quest for knowledge, while noble, has led to their downfall, and the once pure love between Adam and Eve is now tainted by doubt and blame.
Paradise Lost Book 10: The Fall of Adam and Eve
God Knows What Happened
In Heaven, God already knows that Adam and Eve have eaten the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. The angels who were guarding Paradise also realize it, and they quickly fly back to Heaven to report what has happened. They explain that they did everything they could to stop Satan from re-entering Eden. God reassures them that He allowed Satan to enter to test Adam and Eve’s free will, and that the angels are not to blame.
The Son Goes to Judge Adam and Eve
God then sends His Son to Paradise to pass judgment on Adam and Eve. The Son, knowing that He will one day take on their punishment for their disobedience, travels to the Garden of Eden.
When the Son arrives, He calls out to Adam. Both Adam and Eve are hiding in shame because they realize they are naked. Adam comes forward, and when the Son asks if they have eaten the fruit, Adam admits that Eve gave it to him. Eve then blames the serpent for tricking her.
The Punishment
The Son first punishes the serpent, which had been possessed by Satan. From now on, all snakes will crawl on their bellies. The Son also says that humans will crush the snake’s head, but the snake will bite at their heels.
Next, the Son punishes Eve. He declares that from this point on, women will have pain during childbirth and must submit to their husbands. Adam’s punishment is that all men will have to work hard to grow food, and they will eventually die and return to dust. After this, the Son makes clothes out of animal skins to cover Adam and Eve, and then He returns to Heaven.
Sin and Death Enter the Earth
Meanwhile, Sin and Death, who were waiting at the gates of Hell, sense that Satan has succeeded in his plan. They finish building a bridge between Hell and Earth and cross over to meet Satan. Sin promises that she and Death will corrupt the Earth. Death will bring death to all living things, and Sin will bring evil thoughts and actions.
Satan returns to Hell, where he expects the other fallen angels to cheer for him. Instead, they hiss at him. To his surprise, Satan and all the devils are transformed into snakes. In Hell, a grove of trees appears, and when the snakes try to eat the fruit from the trees, it turns to ashes in their mouths.
The Earth Changes
Sin and Death continue their work on Earth, spreading evil and death. God watches from Heaven and tells His angels that He will allow Sin and Death to remain on Earth until Judgment Day. After that, they will be locked up in Hell forever.
God also commands His angels to change the Earth. They tilt the Earth’s axis or change the path of the sun, which causes the once-perfect climate of Eden to change into seasons with extreme heat and cold. Animals that were once peaceful now begin to fight with each other and with humans. Discord, the daughter of Sin, spreads confusion and conflict everywhere.
Adam’s Sadness
Seeing these changes, Adam feels deep sorrow. He knows that because of his mistake, all humans will suffer. He wishes that he could bear all the punishment himself. Adam becomes angry and curses his life, wishing that Death would come quickly.
When Eve approaches him, Adam angrily blames her for their fall, calling her a serpent and wondering why she was even created. Eve cries and begs for forgiveness, accepting full responsibility for their sin. She pleads with Adam not to leave her, reminding him that the serpent tricked her.
Adam’s Change of Heart
Eve’s tears soften Adam’s heart. He stops blaming her, and they decide to support each other instead of fighting. Adam reminds Eve of the Son’s prophecy, that one day one of their descendants will crush the serpent’s head. This gives them hope that all is not lost.
Eve, still feeling guilty, suggests that they end their lives so that they do not pass on their curse to their children. But Adam refuses, saying that they must accept their punishment and try to make the best of their situation. He tells Eve that they should ask God for forgiveness.
Together, Adam and Eve return to the place where they were punished. They kneel down and pray, confessing their sins and asking for God’s mercy.
Paradise Lost Book 11: Adam and Eve’s Departure from Paradise
God Hears Adam and Eve’s Prayers
After Adam and Eve pray for forgiveness, God hears their prayers. He allows His Son to speak on their behalf and asks the Father to have mercy on them. The Son of God reminds His Father that one day He will come to Earth to save humankind. God agrees, but He says that Adam and Eve can no longer live in Paradise because they are now impure. Even though they are forgiven, Eden is a perfect place, and they must leave.
God calls all His angels together and tells them what has happened. He orders the archangel Michael to go down to Earth and gently lead Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. God also commands that no one should be allowed to enter Eden again, so Cherubim will guard the gates.
Adam’s Vision of the Future
As Michael prepares to descend, Adam reassures Eve that God will forgive them. He reminds her that even though they disobeyed, God promised that one of their descendants would defeat Satan. Eve feels ashamed for bringing sin and death into the world, but she promises to always stay by Adam’s side and obey God.
When Michael arrives, he tells Adam that he and Eve will live many years before they die, but they must leave Eden immediately. Adam is sad to leave the beautiful garden, but Michael promises him that God is everywhere, not just in Eden, so Adam can still speak to Him.
Michael puts Eve to sleep and leads Adam to the highest hill in Paradise. From there, Michael shows Adam a vision of what will happen in the future. He drops water from the Well of Life into Adam’s eyes so that Adam can see clearly.
The First Death
The first thing Adam sees is two men offering sacrifices to God. One man’s offering is accepted, but the other’s is not. The man whose offering is rejected becomes angry and kills the other. Michael explains that these men are Cain and Abel, Adam and Eve’s future sons. This is the first murder, and Adam is horrified by the sight of death.
Michael shows Adam more visions of disease, war, and old age as other ways people will die. Adam is very sad, but Michael tells him that if people live good and moral lives, they may die peacefully of old age.
Sinful Lives and Wars
Next, Michael shows Adam a vision of people dancing, singing, and living for pleasure. Adam thinks this looks like happiness, but Michael warns him that these people have forgotten about God and only care about having fun. They too will face death because of their sinful lives.
Then, Adam sees great armies fighting in wars and destroying cities. Michael tells him that some people will praise war and violence, and terrible leaders will be admired as heroes. Adam sees one man, Enoch, who speaks out against the violence. The other people get angry and want to hurt him, but God lifts Enoch up to Heaven to save him.
The Flood and Noah’s Ark
Michael then shows Adam a vision of even more sinful behavior, with people living for themselves and ignoring God. One man tries to warn them to stop, but they don’t listen. This man, Noah, builds a giant ark, and all the animals of the Earth come to him in pairs. Noah and his family enter the ark, and then a great flood comes, wiping out all the sinful people and animals on Earth.
Adam is sad to see the destruction, but Michael explains that God wanted to cleanse the Earth of sin. Only Noah and his family survive, and once the flood is over, Adam sees a rainbow in the sky. Michael explains that this is God’s promise that He will never again destroy the Earth with a flood.
Leaving Paradise
After seeing these visions, Adam feels reassured that virtue and obedience to God will continue through Noah and his family. Even though he and Eve must leave Paradise, he understands that there is still hope for humanity.
Michael wakes Eve from her sleep, and together, Adam and Eve prepare to leave the Garden of Eden. They know they must obey God and trust in His plan for the future. Michael leads them out of the gates of Paradise, and angels stand guard so that no one can enter again.
Though they are sad to leave their beautiful home, Adam and Eve now know that by living good, faithful lives, they may one day be reunited with God.
Paradise Lost Book 12: Adam and Eve’s Journey After the Fall
God Hears Their Prayers
After Adam and Eve pray for forgiveness, God hears them. He allows His Son to speak on their behalf and ask for mercy. The Son reminds God that He will one day come to Earth to save humans from their sins. God agrees, but says that Adam and Eve can no longer stay in Paradise because they are now impure, while Eden remains perfect. However, God wants to give them hope for the future.
God sends Archangel Michael down to Earth to gently guide Adam and Eve out of Eden. He tells Michael to show Adam visions of what will happen in the future so that Adam won’t feel too sad about leaving. God also commands Michael to put Cherubim at the gates of Eden with flaming swords to make sure no one can enter again.
Adam’s Vision of the Future
When Michael arrives in Eden, Adam and Eve are still hoping for God’s forgiveness. Adam reassures Eve that even though they have made a mistake, God has promised that one of their children will defeat Satan. Eve still feels sad and ashamed for bringing sin and death into the world, but she promises to stay by Adam’s side and follow God’s commandments from now on.
Michael puts Eve into a deep sleep and takes Adam to the highest hill in Paradise. From there, Adam sees a vision of the future. Michael first shows Adam two brothers, Cain and Abel, offering sacrifices to God. When God favors Abel’s offering, Cain becomes angry and kills his brother. This is the first murder, and Adam is shocked and saddened by the sight of death.
Michael explains that after Cain and Abel, people will face more types of death, including disease, war, and old age. Adam is heartbroken but Michael comforts him by saying that people who live good and virtuous lives will have long and peaceful lives before dying.
The Tower of Babel
Next, Michael shows Adam how people will rebuild and start living again after the great flood. At first, they are thankful to God, but over time, they become proud and greedy again. One leader, Nimrod, forces people to build a huge tower to reach Heaven. This tower is called the Tower of Babel. God stops the construction by making everyone speak different languages, so they can no longer understand each other.
Adam realizes how dangerous it is when people try to rule over others and become proud. He understands that true freedom only comes from living with good intentions and following God’s will.
The Story of Abraham
Michael then tells Adam that in the future, there will be a man named Abraham who will stay loyal to God. God will make Abraham’s descendants into a great nation, the Israelites, and one of his descendants will be the special child who defeats Satan. This child will be the Messiah.
The Israelites will face many difficulties. They will become slaves in Egypt, but God will choose Moses and his brother Aaron to help free them. After many miracles, like parting the Red Sea, the Israelites will escape Egypt and receive the Ten Commandments from God. These commandments will teach people how to live good lives.
The Coming of the Messiah
Michael then shows Adam a vision of Jesus, the Messiah. He will be born of a virgin mother named Mary, and He will be the one to finally defeat Satan, sin, and death. Jesus will not fight with weapons but will instead sacrifice Himself by dying on the cross to save humanity. After three days, He will rise from the dead, and this victory will bring hope to all humans.
Jesus will teach His followers to spread the message of God’s love and salvation. He will promise that one day, He will return and judge the living and the dead. All those who follow God will live forever in a new, perfect world, where Heaven and Earth will be joined together.
Adam’s New Hope
After hearing all of this, Adam is filled with hope. Even though he and Eve must leave Eden, he now understands that good will come from evil, and humanity will have a chance at redemption through Jesus. Adam is no longer afraid and feels comforted by Michael’s words.
Michael warns Adam that followers of Jesus will face persecution from people who do not believe, but God will send them the Holy Spirit to protect them. Even though there will be struggles, Michael assures Adam that goodness will triumph in the end.
Leaving Paradise
Adam returns to Eve, who has also had comforting dreams about the future. Together, they prepare to leave Eden. As they walk to the gates, they see Michael and his Cherubim standing guard with flaming swords.
Though they are sad to leave their beautiful home, Adam and Eve walk hand in hand into the new world, ready to live good and faithful lives. They know that by following God’s commandments, they will one day be reunited with Him.
In this Epic Summary of Paradise Lost Good vs Evil, the themes of temptation, sin, and redemption unfold vividly.
Discover the Epic Summary of Paradise Lost Good vs Evil to understand the profound struggle between divine justice and human weakness.
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