Paradise Lost Analysis of Chaos and Redemption reveals how Milton portrays the struggle between disorder and the hope for salvation.
Paradise Lost is a famous poem written by an English poet named John Milton. The poem was published a long time ago in 1667. It is written in a style called “epic poetry,” which means it tells a very big story in a beautiful way.
The story of Paradise Lost is about the creation of the world and the story of Adam and Eve, the first humans. It talks about how they lived in a beautiful place called the Garden of Eden. But one day, they made a mistake by eating a forbidden fruit, and that is how they lost their happy home. Milton’s poem teaches us about good and evil, choices, and how important it is to listen to God. Even though the language might feel a bit old, it tells an important story about love, freedom, and the consequences of actions.
Table of Contents
About the poet: John Milton
John Milton was born on December 9, 1608, in London, England, and he passed away around November 8, 1674, also in London. He was a famous English poet and writer, and many people think he is the most important English writer after William Shakespeare.
Milton is most famous for writing “Paradise Lost”, which many believe is the best long poem ever written in English. He also wrote “Paradise Regained” and “Samson Agonistes”, which helped make him one of the greatest English poets. In addition to writing poems, Milton wrote about politics. He wanted to get rid of the Church of England and supported the idea that King Charles I should be punished.
During the English Civil Wars, which started in 1642, Milton wrote many pieces that shared his strong beliefs. He was against kings having too much power and believed people should be free to practice their religion. Even after King Charles II came back to rule in 1660, Milton continued to support his beliefs.
“Areopagitica” in 1644 was a powerful argument against pre-publication censorship, making it one of the most influential defenses of freedom of speech and freedom of the press in history. Milton’s advocacy for these freedoms was deeply tied to his beliefs in individual liberty and open expression, which reflected his broader desire for political and religious freedom during a time of intense political and social change in England.
Milton’s ideas influenced not only people in England but also inspired the American and French revolutions later on. He believed in the importance of following the Bible, allowing people to believe in different things, and giving everyone the freedom to choose their religion.
Milton also worked as a civil servant, which means he had an important job in the government. After 1649, he helped the English Commonwealth by writing letters to other countries and defending the government when it was criticized.
About Paradise Lost:
John Milton was a great English poet who wanted to write an epic poem, which is a very long story about heroes. He started thinking about writing an epic when he was a student at Cambridge University. He was inspired by famous stories like The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer and The Aeneid by Virgil. These stories talk about heroes and their adventures. Milton also read Dante’s Divine Comedy, which, although not a typical epic, has many epic features.
An epic usually tells the tale of a hero who goes on a big adventure. These heroes often deal with important themes that shape a culture. In ancient times, epics were long poems shared by storytellers, but later poets wrote them down in a fancy style. Milton wanted to follow the traditional epic format, but he changed his mind about what to write about as he got older.
Originally, he thought about writing an epic about King Arthur, a famous hero in British history. However, over time, his ideas changed. He experienced many hardships in his life, like losing his political power, going blind, and facing personal losses, such as the deaths of his wives and children. These experiences made him think differently about what a hero really is.
Milton eventually decided that true heroism isn’t just about fighting in battles. He believed that being obedient to God and having patience during tough times was more important. This idea changed the way he wrote Paradise Lost. Instead of glorifying war and heroes in battle, he found meaning in suffering and faith.
Although some parts of Paradise Lost may have been written earlier, Milton didn’t finish the complete poem until he was older and blind. He used a special type of poetry called unrhymed iambic pentameter, which flows naturally in English. Milton’s Paradise Lost is a Christian epic that focuses on moral choices rather than military glory. It’s a story that teaches us about faith, obedience, and the struggle between good and evil.
Key elements:
- Full Title: Paradise Lost
- Author: John Milton
- Type of Work: Poem
- Genre: Epic (a long story about heroes)
- Language: English
- Time and Place Written: 1656–1674 in England
- Date of First Publication: First Edition (ten books) in 1667; Second Edition (twelve books) in 1674
- Publisher: S. Simmons, England
- In-depth Facts
- Narrator: Milton himself tells the story.
- Point of View: The story is told in third person (he, she, they).
- Tone: The tone is lofty (grand), formal (serious), and tragic (sad).
- Tense: The story is told in the present tense.
- Setting (Time): Before time began.
- Setting (Place): Hell, Chaos and Night, Heaven, and Earth (especially the Garden of Eden).
- Protagonists: Adam and Eve, the first humans created by God.
- Major Conflict: Satan, who is already punished in Hell, tries to trick and corrupt God’s new creation, which is humankind.
- Rising Action:
- Angels fight in Heaven.
- Satan and his rebel angels are cast down to Hell.
- God creates the universe.
- Satan plots to corrupt Adam and Eve.
- God makes Eve to be Adam’s partner.
- The angel Raphael talks to Adam, answers his questions, and warns him about Satan.
- Climax:
- Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.
- Falling Action:
- The Son punishes Adam and Eve.
- Adam and Eve feel sorry for their actions.
- Adam learns about what will happen to humans in the future.
- Themes
- The Importance of Obedience to God: It’s crucial to follow God’s commands.
- The Hierarchical Nature of the Universe: There is a structure in the universe, with God at the top.
- The Fall as Partly Fortunate: Sometimes, bad things can lead to good outcomes.
- Motifs
- Light and Dark: These represent good and evil.
- The Geography of the Universe: The different places like Heaven and Hell play important roles.
- Conversation and Contemplation: Talking and thinking are important for understanding.
- Symbols
- The Scales in the Sky: They represent balance and justice.
- Adam’s Wreath: Symbolizes victory and glory.
- Fruit: Represents knowledge and temptation.
- Foreshadowing
- Eve’s Vanity: She admires her reflection in the lake, hinting at her future decisions.
- Satan’s Transformation: His change into a snake and punishment hint at the evil that will come.
Author’s intention behind the work:
John Milton wrote Paradise Lost with several key intentions and motivations that shaped the epic poem. Here are some of the main reasons behind his work:
1. To Justify God’s Ways:
One of Milton’s primary intentions was to explain and justify God’s actions and the existence of evil in the world. He wanted readers to understand why God allows suffering and how human choices lead to their own downfall. This idea is often summarized in the phrase “to justify the ways of God to men.”
2. To Explore Themes of Free Will:
Milton was deeply interested in the concept of free will. He wanted to show that humans have the power to choose between good and evil. By illustrating the choices made by Adam and Eve, he emphasizes that individuals are responsible for their actions and their consequences. This exploration of free will is a central theme in the poem.
3. To Present a Christian Epic:
Milton aimed to create a new type of epic poem that focused on Christian themes rather than the traditional heroic tales of Greek and Roman literature. He wanted to depict true heroism not in warfare but in obedience to God and moral strength. In doing so, he sought to establish a model for future epic poetry that reflected Christian values.
4. To Reflect Personal Beliefs and Experiences:
Milton’s own life experiences, including his political struggles and personal tragedies, influenced his writing. After losing his sight and enduring political turmoil, he wanted to express his beliefs about faith, duty, and human suffering. These themes resonate throughout the poem, reflecting his hope for spiritual redemption.
5. To Engage with Contemporary Issues:
Milton wrote Paradise Lost during a time of great political and religious upheaval in England. His work addresses contemporary issues such as authority, rebellion, and the role of government. By framing these issues within the context of the biblical story of the Fall, he encouraged readers to think critically about their own society and moral choices.
6. To Inspire Reflection and Contemplation:
Milton sought to engage readers in deep thought and reflection. He used elevated language and complex characters to challenge readers to ponder their own beliefs and values. Through the struggles of Adam, Eve, and Satan, he invited readers to contemplate the nature of good and evil and the consequences of their choices.
In summary, John Milton wrote Paradise Lost to justify God’s ways, explore the themes of free will and obedience, create a Christian epic, reflect on his personal beliefs, engage with contemporary issues, and inspire deep reflection. Through this epic poem, Milton aimed to convey profound truths about humanity, spirituality, and the moral complexities of life.
Historical Context of Paradise Lost:
John Milton wrote Paradise Lost during a time of great change in England. He was a Protestant Christian who disagreed with the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church, which was the main church in England. Milton believed in a government without kings and supported Oliver Cromwell when he took over and removed King Charles I from power. Cromwell set up a new type of government called the Commonwealth, where he ruled as the “Lord Protector” for several years.
In 1660, King Charles II came back to the throne, and because Milton had defended Cromwell and the decision to execute Charles I, he had to go into hiding. Even though Paradise Lost is set in a mythical time before history as we know it, Milton included many references to the political events happening in England at that time. This way, he connected his story to the struggles of his own country and made it relevant to the people reading it.
Literary Context of Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost by John Milton is a famous poem written in the 17th century in England. During this time, there were many political and religious changes, especially because of the English Civil War and the return of the monarchy. Milton had strong beliefs as a Puritan and wanted a government without kings, which influenced his writing. The poem tells the story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace in the Garden of Eden, based on the Bible, especially the Book of Genesis. However, Milton adds his own ideas and develops the characters, making Satan a complex character who is both interesting and flawed.
Here are some important points about the poem:
Epic Poetry Tradition
Milton wanted to follow the style of classical epic poems, like Homer’s Odyssey and Virgil’s Aeneid. He used elements such as calling upon a muse for inspiration, starting the story in the middle (called “in medias res”), and writing in a grand style to explore big themes, like where human sin comes from.
Religious Beliefs
Milton was a devout Puritan, and his religious views played a big role in Paradise Lost. He thought a lot about free will (the ability to choose), the nature of God, and what happens when people disobey God.
Political Commentary
Milton was very active in politics during the Commonwealth period. Some people believe that Paradise Lost criticizes the restored monarchy, showing how Satan’s rebellion against God is similar to Milton’s opposition to unfair rule.
Humanism
Even though Milton’s writing is based on Christian beliefs, he also loved classical literature and was interested in what it means to be human. He explored complex characters like Satan, who, despite being bad, can make readers feel sympathy for him because of his strong will and defiance.
Important Points to Remember
- Blank Verse: Milton wrote Paradise Lost in blank verse, which means it has no rhymes and uses a rhythm called iambic pentameter. This style made his language flexible and grand.
- Character Development: One of the most notable parts of the poem is how Milton portrays Satan. He is often seen as a tragic character, even though he is a villain.
- Impact on Literature: Paradise Lost is considered a very important work in English literature. It has influenced many writers with its epic story, deep ideas, and rich language.
This poem is a blend of Milton’s beliefs, his love for storytelling, and his thoughts on good and evil, making it a significant piece of literature that many people study and admire today.
Themes:
The Big Plan of God
In Paradise Lost, Milton talks about a big idea called “Eternal Providence.” This means that God has a special plan for everyone. If Adam and Eve had never disobeyed God, then people wouldn’t have to face death, and they would have lived like angels. But because they listened to Satan and ate the forbidden fruit, God was able to show his love and kindness in a way that would not have happened otherwise. This is known as “felix culpa,” which means “happy fault.”
When God created people, he wanted to show Satan that he could make new beings, even after Satan and his friends turned against him. God gave people something called free will, which means they can choose what to do. However, God also knows what choices people will make. He tells us that we have free will, but he also knows that Adam and Eve will choose to listen to Satan.
This idea can be confusing. It may seem like God knows what will happen but does nothing to stop it. Some people think that God could have warned Adam and Eve or stopped Satan from entering the Garden of Eden. But if God did that, it wouldn’t really be free will. If people are truly free to make their own choices, they must be allowed to do so, even if they make mistakes.
Because Adam and Eve chose to disobey God, they changed the natural order of things, and death became part of life. If Paradise Lost were just a sad story, this would be the end. But it’s not just a tragedy; it shows that even in mistakes, God has a plan to bring good out of bad situations.
Hierarchy and Order:
In Paradise Lost, John Milton talks a lot about the “Fall of Man” and the war in Heaven. He describes how the universe is organized and how these events changed everything. In Milton’s view from the 17th century, the world is like a big tower. Heaven is at the top, Earth is in the middle, and Hell and Chaos are at the bottom.
The Order of the Universe
At the very top of this tower is God. He is the supreme ruler, the creator of everything. Next to Him is His Son, who is just as important and powerful. Below them are the Archangels and Angels. They are arranged in different groups based on how close they are to God’s light. Some of these groups have special names like Thrones, Powers, Dominions, and Cherubim.
When God creates the Earth, He puts Adam and Eve in charge of the animals. Adam is given more authority than Eve, meaning he has a little more power and wisdom. The devils in Hell are at the very bottom because they have turned away from God completely.
Milton’s Beliefs
In his own life, Milton believed in personal freedom and didn’t like monarchies (kings and queens). He even defended the execution of King Charles I, which means he thought it was right to remove kings who were not good rulers. This creates an interesting contradiction in Paradise Lost. Even though Milton was against kings, he wrote a poem that defends God’s rule as the ultimate monarchy.
C.S. Lewis, a well-known writer, suggested that Milton believed God was the rightful ruler of everything, while earthly kings like Charles I and II were not. So, Milton didn’t mind defending God’s rule but criticized the kings at the same time.
The Main Lesson
The main lesson of Paradise Lost is that we should respect and follow the order of Heaven and Earth. When this order is upset, evil enters the world. Milton uses the story to remind us how important it is to keep everything in its proper place, just like how God created it.
The Fall of Humanity:
Paradise Lost tells the story of how humanity fell from grace and how Satan and his angels rebelled against God. The main conflict comes from their attempts to fight against God’s order.
The “Fall” happens because Satan becomes jealous of how much God loves His Son. He thinks that he and the other angels should be treated like gods too, so he convinces a third of the angels to join him in rebelling against God. This leads to a big battle in Heaven, which is like a civil war. In the end, the rebels lose and are cast down into Hell.
After being thrown out, Satan becomes very angry and decides to ruin the lives of innocent humans. This is his second rebellion. Instead of openly fighting God, he tricks Adam and Eve into disobeying Him. The big problem starts when Adam and Eve eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, even though God had told them not to. This act of disobedience is what leads to the “Fall of Man” and is explained in Christianity as the reason for all the suffering and evil in the world.
In Milton’s universe, punishment for disobedience is certain. Even though God is kind enough to send His Son to help humanity after the Fall, He still allows a lot of suffering because of one piece of fruit. God shows no mercy to Satan and punishes him severely. This story teaches us that God’s order must be respected. When the order is broken, it always leads to pain and punishment.
Paradise Lost Analysis of Chaos and Redemption highlights how Milton uses the fall of humanity to explore the themes of sin and recovery.
The Story of Original Sin:
Paradise Lost is a dramatic story that explains how evil entered a world that God created perfectly. For John Milton, who was a Christian, sin is anything that breaks God’s rules. This includes hurting other people and upsetting the order of the universe. In the beginning, God’s Heaven and the beautiful Garden of Eden were pure and happy places without any sin or sadness.
Milton describes this innocence as a time of joy, where everyone worshipped God and lived in blissful ignorance. For example, Adam doesn’t know what death is, except that it is something bad. The angel Raphael even warns Adam not to think too much about the universe. But when Adam and Eve eat from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge, they commit the original sin. This act brings sin into the world and changes everything.
Once they gain knowledge, they also learn about evil, and this leads to many other bad things, like some animals starting to eat each other. Their disobedience opens the door to feelings like lust, anger, and pride. In the end, the angel Michael shows Adam visions of the future where there is no innocence left. He sees brothers fighting and hurting each other, sickness, and people worshipping false gods.
However, there is still hope. God’s Son, Jesus, will come to break the power of evil and save those who believe in him. Although God cannot bring back the innocent state of Eden after sin has entered the world, He can bring goodness from the knowledge and experiences gained from sin. This creates a sense of hope and optimism at the end of the poem.
Free Will and God’s Plan:
In Paradise Lost, John Milton explains that even though God knew Adam and Eve would make a mistake and fall from grace, He did not make them do it. Milton describes God as being outside of time. This means God can see everything that happens, including the future, but He doesn’t control it. God wants Adam and Eve to choose to obey Him on their own, not because they are forced to.
Some people think that Milton’s idea of God is confusing. Even though he didn’t believe in the idea of “predestination” (which means God has already decided who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell), his descriptions sometimes sound like he does believe in it. For example, God allows Satan to escape from Hell and sneak into the Garden of Eden. This means that God sets up the situation where Adam and Eve could easily make a wrong choice.
God even tells Adam about the Fall before it happens, showing that He already has a plan to fix it. God plans to send His Son to Earth to help people and bring everything back to order.
This idea leads to something called the “fortunate fall.” This means that even though Adam and Eve made a bad choice, God can turn it into something good. Adam learns that the Messiah will come, and he feels happy knowing that God’s love and power will shine through this plan. So, even though Adam and Eve (and Satan) have free will to choose, their choices fit into God’s big plan for the world.
Love and Relationships:
In Paradise Lost, love is one of the most important qualities of God. The angels in Heaven love God and each other, always worshipping Him with joy. The Son, who is also part of God, loves humanity so much that He offers to sacrifice Himself for them.
When God creates Adam and Eve, the poem starts to focus on their love and the idea of marriage. Milton suggests that Adam and Eve could love each other and even be together in a special way without being sinful. This is a big deal because many people thought it was wrong. Milton describes their love as innocent and pure, saying it is a way to obey God’s command to “be fruitful.”
Milton also talks about the order in marriage. Adam is made to be stronger and wiser than Eve, while Eve is beautiful and is created from Adam. This shows a kind of hierarchy in their relationship. Adam can speak to God directly, but Eve talks to God through Adam.
In the poem, love for God is the most important type of love. When Adam decides to disobey God’s command because of his love for Eve, this choice is just as wrong as eating the forbidden fruit. Even though this romantic love leads to their Fall, it also gives them comfort when they leave Paradise. Adam and Eve can still find joy in each other’s love, and they look forward to the time when God will show His love for them through His Son.
Main Idea of “Paradise Lost”
The main idea of Paradise Lost by John Milton is about the story of Adam and Eve and how they lost their home in the Garden of Eden because they disobeyed God. The poem shows how Satan, who was once a good angel, became jealous of God and tricked Adam and Eve into eating a forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.
When they ate the fruit, they brought sin into the world, which caused them to be sent out of Paradise. The poem teaches us about the importance of obeying God and the consequences of making bad choices. It also shows how God’s love and plan for people continues, even after their mistakes. Ultimately, the poem reminds us that everyone has the power to choose between good and evil and that love and hope can be found even after a fall.
Motifs:
The Meaning of Light and Dark:
In Paradise Lost, there are many opposites, like Heaven and Hell, God and Satan, and good and evil. John Milton uses light and darkness to show these opposites.
Angels are described as being full of light, which represents goodness and God’s grace. On the other hand, devils, like Satan, are described as dark and shadowy, showing their evil nature. Milton even asks for light in his writing so that he can tell the story of God and good things in the best way possible.
When there is no light in Hell and in Satan, it shows that God and his goodness are not there. So, light represents all that is good and true, while darkness represents everything that is bad and wrong.
The Four Parts of the Universe
In Paradise Lost, John Milton divides the universe into four main parts: Heaven, Hell, Chaos, and Earth.
Heaven is a beautiful and glorious place, while Hell is dark and scary. Chaos is confusing and chaotic, and Earth is new and delicate, caught in the middle of these two extremes. The story begins in Hell, where we learn about Satan’s plan to go against God and hurt humans. Then we see scenes in Heaven, where God talks to the angels about his plans, which helps us understand the story better.
Most of the action happens on Earth, where good and evil are fighting each other. Satan tries to trick Adam and Eve, while God shows his love by sending his Son to help them.
Milton thinks that details about the universe’s geography, like whether the sun goes around the Earth or the Earth goes around the sun, are not important. He wants to share a religious message instead of focusing on science. Raphael, an angel, even says it doesn’t matter which one revolves around the other. What really matters is the battle between good and evil.
Talking and Thinking:
In Paradise Lost, some people think there isn’t enough action, like big battles. But John Milton, the author, wanted readers to focus more on the conversations and thoughts of his characters. Almost half of the poem is made up of conversations!
Milton believes that talking and thinking are very important for being a good person. When characters like Adam and the angel Raphael talk, they share ideas that help spread God’s message. Thinking about God and his kindness helps people feel closer to Him and want to do the right thing.
Before Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, Adam thinks a lot about God, while Satan only thinks about himself. After they fall from Paradise, Adam and Eve need to keep talking and thinking to find happiness again.
The Golden Scales in the Sky
As Satan gets ready to fight the angel Gabriel in Paradise, God shows a special image in the sky. It’s a pair of golden scales. On one side, God puts what will happen if Satan runs away, and on the other side, he puts what will happen if Satan stays and fights Gabriel.
When the side showing Satan staying and fighting goes up, it means it is light and not important. This shows that God and Satan are not really enemies. God is all-powerful, and both Satan and Gabriel get their power from Him. By showing the scales, God makes Satan understand that trying to fight against one of His angels is a pointless effort.
Adam’s Special Wreath
In Book IX, Adam makes a beautiful wreath while he and Eve are working separately. This wreath means many things. First, it shows how much he loves Eve and how attracted he is to her. But when Adam sees that Eve has eaten from the Tree of Knowledge, he is so shocked that he drops the wreath on the ground.
Dropping the wreath shows that his love for Eve is changing. He can no longer see her as the wonderful partner he once thought she was. This moment represents the loss of their pure and innocent love. The fallen wreath symbolizes that their love has been affected by what has happened.
The Forbidden Fruit
One of the most famous moments in stories is when Eve eats from the Tree of Knowledge. This fruit represents doing things that are forbidden or wrong. In many stories, fruit stands for giving in to temptations, and here it becomes a big deal for Adam and Eve. God and Satan don’t care about earthly pleasures, but Adam and Eve are different. They are the only ones who can be tricked by the fruit’s power.
When Adam and Eve eat the fruit, they stop being unaware of their bodies and start to feel pleasure. Satan tricks Eve into eating the fruit by flattering her, but in the end, it’s her strong desire for the fruit that wins. Eve talks about how beautiful and perfect the fruit is, making her want to eat it even more.
In a poem with so many powerful beings, the fight for humanity partly comes down to wanting something delicious. The sins of overeating and lust are connected to the fruit in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve’s innocence exists only while they don’t know what they are missing. Once they eat the fruit, they discover many new things.
The garden has a hint of sexuality, too. The growing fruits and seeds show a desire that is both real and deeper. Eve wants the fruit even more because she wasn’t allowed to have it before. Giving in to her strong, basic desires leads Adam and Eve into a human life in the most human way possible.
Symbols:
The Golden Scales in the Sky
As Satan gets ready to fight the angel Gabriel in Paradise, God makes a pair of golden scales appear in the sky. On one side of the scales, God places the results of Satan running away, and on the other side, he puts the results of Satan staying to fight Gabriel. The side that shows Satan staying and fighting goes up high, which means it is light and not important.
These scales show that God and Satan are not really enemies. God is super powerful, and both Satan and Gabriel get their strength from Him. By showing these scales, God helps Satan see that trying to fight one of His angels is pointless. It reminds us that God is in control and that fighting against Him is a losing battle.
Adam’s Special Wreath
In the story, Adam makes a beautiful wreath while he and Eve are working separately. This wreath is important because it shows how much he loves and is attracted to Eve. However, when Adam sees that Eve has eaten from the Tree of Knowledge, he becomes very shocked and drops the wreath on the ground.
Dropping the wreath means that Adam’s love for Eve is starting to go away. He realizes that the way he saw her as a special partner is now broken because she has made a mistake. The fallen wreath stands for the loss of their pure love, showing how things have changed between them.
The Forbidden Fruit
One of the most famous parts of stories is when Eve eats from the Tree of Knowledge. In many myths, poems, and fairy tales, fruit represents doing something that you’re not supposed to do. In this story, the forbidden fruit leads Adam and Eve to understand more about being human. Unlike God and Satan, who do not care about earthly pleasures, Adam and Eve are the only ones who can be tempted by the fruit. When they eat it, they realize things they didn’t know before, and they start to feel different emotions and desires.
Satan tricks Eve with sweet words, but what really makes her want the fruit is how beautiful and delicious it looks. She almost cannot resist eating it. This shows that, in a world full of heavenly beings, the struggle for humanity involves simple things like wanting to enjoy something special.
The sins of overeating and lust match perfectly with the fruits in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve only stay innocent as long as they don’t know what they’re missing. Once they eat the fruit, they discover many new things. The garden’s images, like flowers and ripe fruits, suggest both a real hunger and a deeper desire. Eve wants the fruit so badly because she has never been allowed to have it before. Giving in to her desires helps Adam and Eve become fully human, in a very natural way.
Characters
Satan:
Some people think that Satan is like a hero in the story Paradise Lost because he faces challenges, deals with his own doubts, and works hard to achieve his goal of tricking humans. However, his goal is to do something bad, which makes him different from real heroes. Adam and Eve are the true heroes because, in the end, they begin the journey toward making things right for humans and finding a path to goodness. Satan is not someone to admire or look up to, like most heroes are, but he is still an interesting character.
Satan is a complex character, meaning he has many sides and is hard to fully understand. Milton, the author, spends a lot of time showing us Satan’s thoughts and actions. Making a perfect character like God interesting is difficult because they don’t have flaws.
But characters like Satan, Adam, and Eve are flawed, which makes them more exciting to read about. Satan appears strong and brave, even when facing scary things like Chaos and Death. Some people believe Milton makes Satan seem like a hero at first so that readers might feel drawn to him, even though he is doing bad things. This can teach readers how easy it is to be tricked by things that look good but are actually harmful.
Satan’s biggest problem is his pride—he thinks he is very important and deserving of more power. He believes he is a victim who wasn’t given what he deserved in Heaven. This pride is surprising because in Heaven, all angels are equal, loved, and happy. Satan’s confidence in thinking he could fight against God shows his vanity, or love for himself. In Book IV, when Satan talks about his sadness, we might even feel a little sorry for him. But he chooses to keep doing bad things. He lies a lot and tricks the other devils in Hell by pretending that his plan is actually someone else’s idea.
Satan changes a lot from the beginning of the story to the end. In the early books, he is strong, powerful, and a good speaker. By the end, though, he is weak and returns to Hell as a snake. This change shows how he becomes less important over time. As he takes on different shapes, like a falling star, a cherub (a smaller angel), a bird, a toad, and finally a snake, he loses his strength and cleverness. In the beginning, he convinces other devils to follow his plan.
But later, he lies to himself and believes that Earth might be better than Heaven. He even thinks he could live on Earth happily. Satan has been away from Heaven for so long that he forgets how great it is. He starts to believe his own lies and loses the ability to tell right from wrong. He becomes a symbol of a mind that thinks a lot but cannot choose good over bad. Once a powerful angel, Satan becomes someone who can never find peace or remember God’s love.
God the Father:
In Paradise Lost, God is a character who knows everything before it even happens. He is all-powerful, can be everywhere at once, and knows everything. To show this, Milton uses some of the things God says in the Bible for God’s speeches in the poem. God loves everything he has created and believes strongly in letting people make their own choices. He shows his love through his Son, who carries out God’s wishes with kindness and fairness.
In the story, God isn’t like other characters with lots of emotions and personal thoughts. Instead, he represents big ideas like wisdom, justice, and fairness. People and even angels cannot fully understand him because he is so powerful and perfect. He doesn’t have weaknesses or flaws, and he always makes decisions based on pure reason. God tells the angels what is going to happen, like when Satan decides to trick Adam and Eve. He also explains why things happen the way they do.
Even though God allows bad things to happen sometimes, like Satan’s actions, he promises to turn those bad things into good outcomes. His plan to save humanity through his Son shows that he has control over everything, even over Satan’s actions.
God the Son:
In Paradise Lost, the Son is like God’s way of acting in the world. While God the Father stays in Heaven, the Son is the one who does important jobs, like sending Satan and the rebel angels away, creating the universe and people, and giving out fair punishments to Satan, Adam, and Eve. The Son acts as a bridge between God the Father and everything that God created. Together, they form a complete and perfect God.
The Son shows love and kindness. After Adam and Eve disobey, he feels sorry for them and gives them clothes to cover their shame. The most important thing the Son does is volunteer to die for humanity, showing how much he cares and how unselfish he is. In the last part of the story, Adam has a vision of the Son (or Jesus) sacrificing himself on the cross. This vision helps calm Adam’s fears about the future and gives both Adam and Eve hope as they leave Paradise and face the world outside.
Adam:
In Paradise Lost, Adam is a smart, strong, and thoughtful person with a special connection to God. Before the fall, he is almost perfect for a human. He has a great ability to think and understand complex ideas right away. He can talk with the angel Raphael like they are almost equals, and he easily understands the stories that Raphael shares. But after the fall, things change. When he talks with the angel Michael during his visions, it is no longer an equal conversation. He also starts feeling doubt and anger, showing that he now makes quick and not-so-smart decisions. The fall makes him lose his clear thinking and intelligence.
Adam’s biggest weakness is his deep love for Eve. As soon as he sees her, he falls in love. He even tells Raphael that his feelings for her are very strong. Raphael advises him to control his feelings, but Adam cannot stop himself from loving Eve too much. When Eve eats the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, Adam quickly eats it too. He decides that if she is in trouble, he will join her in that trouble because he doesn’t want to be without her, even if it means going against God’s rules. Eve is his partner for life, and he can’t imagine being separated from her.
Adam is also very curious and wants to learn more about the world. He asks Raphael many questions about how the universe was created and how things work. This curiosity might show that he is tempted to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. But, unlike his strong feelings for Eve, he manages to resist this temptation a little bit. It is only because of Eve’s actions that he can’t resist temptation anymore.
Eve:
Eve was created to be Adam’s partner. Although she is a little less powerful than Adam, she is more beautiful than him. When she sees her reflection in water, she falls in love with her own beauty. Sadly, this makes her vain, which becomes her biggest weakness. When Satan flatters her by praising her beauty and goodness, it becomes easy for him to convince her to eat from the Tree of Knowledge.
Eve is not stupid, but her intelligence and purity are tested throughout the story. She doesn’t have a strong desire to learn on her own; instead, she prefers to be guided by Adam, just as God wanted. Because of this, she does not become wiser as the story goes on, even though she starts to gain some wisdom by the end of the poem.
Part of the reason she doesn’t learn much is that she misses many important conversations between Adam and the angel Raphael in Books V, VI, and VII. She also doesn’t see the visions that Michael shows Adam in Books XI and XII. Her absence shows that she thinks it’s not her place to seek knowledge by herself. Instead, she wants Adam to share what he learns with her later. The only time she tries to act on her own is when she tells Adam to trust her and then eats the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. This choice leads to disaster.
Eve’s strengths lie in her ability to love, feel emotions, and be patient. After the fall, she encourages Adam to stay with her, and Adam helps her by stopping her from making a terrible decision to end her life. Together, they become a strong team. Eve balances Adam’s strengths and helps fix his weaknesses. Through Eve’s character, Milton does not show that women are less important. Instead, he explores how women can play a positive and important role in marriage.
Opposed to God:
Death:
In Paradise Lost, Death is the son and grandson of Satan. This is because Death is born from a strange relationship between Satan and his daughter, Sin. Death also has a connection with Sin, and together they create scary hellhounds that follow her.
Death is not a regular character but more of a symbol. He is a dark figure with a big appetite. After Adam and Eve make a mistake by eating the forbidden fruit, Death and Sin work together to build a huge bridge from Hell to Earth.
In the story, God says that after Judgment Day, both Death and Sin will be trapped in Hell forever.
Sin:
In Paradise Lost, Sin is the daughter of Satan. She comes from his head because he felt jealous of the Son. Sin is beautiful from the waist up, but below that, she looks like a scary serpent. She is always surrounded by hellhounds that come in and out of her body. These hounds are from her strange relationship with her son, Death, who is also her son because he was born from her father, Satan.
Sin is mostly a symbol in the story. She helps Satan escape from Hell by opening the Gate of Hell. Together with Death, she builds a bridge to Earth and comes into the world after Satan tricks Adam and Eve. In the end, God says that both Sin and Death will be trapped in Hell forever.
Beelzebub:
Beelzebub is a powerful devil who is second in command to Satan. In the Bible, his name is linked to “Lord of the Flies,” which refers to a demon that drives flies away from sacrifices. There are many ideas about what his name means, but none of them are certain or well-known.
Milton’s readers would have understood that Beelzebub is a demon connected to Satan and evil, even if they didn’t know much about where he came from. In Book II of Paradise Lost, Beelzebub speaks for Satan and helps him in his plans.
Belial:
Belial is a name from the Bible that means the devil or something wicked and destructive. In Paradise Lost, Milton shows Belial as a specific demon who represents impurity. He is very clever and persuasive, arguing that it’s better to do nothing rather than take action. Belial is known for promoting a lazy and dishonorable way of life, which he calls “ignoble ease.”
Mammon:
Mammon is a character from the Bible who represents wealth and money. In Paradise Lost, he is described as the “least erected” of the fallen angels because he is always looking down for gold and riches. During the meeting of the fallen angels, Mammon suggests that instead of fighting against God, they should use the wealth of Hell to make their lives more comfortable.
Moloch:
Moloch is a character in Paradise Lost who was once a false god worshipped by some people in ancient times. His followers were known for doing terrible things, like sacrificing children. In the story, Moloch speaks at a meeting of the fallen angels and argues that they should go to war against God. He is very loud and angry in his speech, but his ideas are not clever or helpful.
Loyal to God:
Michael:
Michael is a powerful archangel in Paradise Lost and is known as one of the strongest fighters in the battle against the bad angels who rebelled against God. His name is like a battle cry for the good angels. The fallen angels remember how painful it was to face Michael’s sword in battle. At the end of the story, Michael helps Adam understand the history of the world, including the birth of Jesus. He also guides Adam and Eve as they leave the Garden of Eden.
Raphael:
Raphael is one of the archangels in Paradise Lost. He is known as the angel who looks after humans and is connected to the Earth. Milton describes Raphael as a friendly and kind angel. He is sent to Earth to warn Adam and to answer any questions Adam has. Some people believe that Raphael’s advice wasn’t very helpful and that he played a part in the Fall of Man. The conversations between Raphael and Adam happen in Books V to VIII of the poem.
Gabriel:
Gabriel is an archangel in the Bible known for being kind and merciful. He is different from Michael, who is the angel of justice. In the New Testament, Gabriel tells Mary about the coming of Jesus. In Paradise Lost, Gabriel has an important job; he guards the gate of Eden, which is where Adam and Eve live. When Satan tries to trick Adam and Eve for the first time, Gabriel catches him and sends him away to protect them.
Abdiel
Abdiel is an angel who is part of Satan’s group but does not agree with Satan’s plans to rebel against God. He bravely stands up to Satan in battle and decides to go back to God instead of following Satan.
Ithuriel
Ithuriel is one of the angels who helps Gabriel protect the Garden of Eden. He works with another angel named Zephron to catch Satan when he tries to whisper bad ideas into Eve’s ear.
Urania
Urania is the name of Milton’s muse, which means she is the source of his inspiration. In classical stories, Urania is known as the Muse of Astronomy, but Milton changes her into a symbol of Christian inspiration or the Holy Spirit.
Uriel
Uriel is one of the seven archangels. Satan tricks him by pretending to be a friendly angel. Uriel later realizes he has been fooled and quickly warns Gabriel that a stranger has entered the Garden of Eden.
Zephron
Zephron is another angel who helps Gabriel guard the Garden of Eden. Along with Ithuriel, Zephron discovers Satan trying to trick Eve by whispering to her, which is his first attempt to lead her into trouble.
Glossary:
- Abash’t: Feeling embarrassed or shy; not comfortable.
- Abyss: A deep, empty space; like a big, dark hole before anything was created.
- Adamantine: Very, very hard and strong; like something that cannot be broken.
- Alchymy: An early type of science from the Middle Ages that tried to turn ordinary metals into gold and find a special potion for living forever.
- Amarantin: A dark purple-red color.
- Ambrosial: Something that is very special and perfect, like what the gods would like.
- Apocalypse: Writings that describe the end of evil and the victory of good, often in a symbolic way.
- Apostate: A person who has given up their beliefs or faith.
- Archangel: A top-ranking angel, like a leader among angels.
- Arede: To give advice or counsel.
- Arrogate: To take something without having the right to do so; to claim something unfairly.
- Atlantean: Strong and powerful, like the giant Atlas from mythology.
- Behemoth: A very large and powerful creature, often thought of as a big animal mentioned in the Bible.
- Blasphemed: To say something disrespectful about God or sacred things.
- Bower: A lovely, shady spot made by trees or plants, like a small garden area.
- Brand: An old word for a sword.
- Catarrh: An illness that makes your nose or throat feel inflamed and causes extra mucus.
- Causey: A raised path or road over wet ground.
- Champaign: A flat and wide piece of land; open country.
- Chaos: A state of complete disorder and confusion, like before everything was created.
- Cherub: A small, winged angel who helps guard God’s throne or watches over people.
- Colloquy: A formal conversation or discussion.
- Contemned: To treat someone or something with disrespect; to look down on them.
- Cope: A type of long, flowing garment worn by priests during ceremonies.
- Corporeal: Related to the physical body; something that you can touch and see.
- Dalliance: Flirting or playing around; can also mean to waste time.
- Descry: To spot or notice something from a distance.
- Discount’nanc’t: Feeling embarrassed or unsure of oneself.
- Effeminate: Having qualities often seen as feminine; not very manly.
- Efficacy: How effective something is; how well it works.
- Empyreal / Empyrean: The highest level of heaven, where God is believed to live.
- Enthrallment: Being enslaved or controlled by something.
- Ethereal: Something that feels heavenly or not of this world; very delicate.
- Euphrasy: A plant known for its pale lavender flowers, often used for its healing properties.
- Fealty: Loyalty and faithfulness to someone, especially a ruler.
- Fiend: A wicked or evil spirit; often refers to Satan.
- Firmament: The sky or heavens, seen as a solid dome over the Earth.
- Foreknowledge: Knowing something before it happens; having a sense of what will occur.
- Frith: A small bay or narrow part of the sea.
- Glozing: Trying to flatter or deceive someone with sweet talk.
- Gripe: To hold onto something tightly or to cause distress.
- Hail: A friendly greeting; an important way to say hello.
- Harbinger: A person or thing that comes before to signal what is coming next; a sign.
- Hesperian: Could refer to the western lands or simply mean the sunset.
- Hierarchies: The leaders of a group, often in a religious setting; the order of angels.
- Hyaline: Clear and transparent, like glass.
- Imperious: Bossy and demanding; wanting to control others.
- Impregn: To make pregnant or filled with something.
- Incarnate: Having a physical form, especially in a human body.
- Ineffable: Too amazing or great to be described in words.
- Intercessor: Someone who prays or asks for help on behalf of someone else.
- Irriguous: Well-watered and moist; lush.
- Jocund: Happy and cheerful; full of joy.
- Justify: To show that something is right or fair.
- Lantskip: A view of the land or landscape.
- Lazar-house: A place for sick people, especially those with leprosy.
- Limbo: A place where souls go if they die without being good or bad, not really in heaven or hell.
- Loath: Unwilling or reluctant to do something.
- Marish: A swampy or muddy area.
- Nuptial: Related to marriage or weddings.
- Obdurate: Stubborn and not willing to change one’s mind.
- Obliquities: Not straight; tilted or slanted.
- Omnific: Able to create everything.
- Oracle: A person or place believed to communicate messages from God.
- Orison: A prayer.
- Ounce: A type of wild cat, like a lynx or panther.
- Pandemonium: A wild and noisy place, like the capital of Hell.
- Patriarch: The father or leader of a family or group; Adam is the father of all humans.
- Phalanx: A strong and organized group of soldiers standing close together.
- Plebeian: A common person; not a noble.
- Prevenient: Happening before any action is taken by a person.
- Prime: The first part of the day; dawn.
- Progeny: Children or descendants; offspring.
- Propitiation: A way to make peace or calm anger.
- Puissant: Strong and powerful.
- Purlieu: The outer area of a forest.
- Quaternion: A group of four.
- Redound: To come back or have an effect later.
- Rue: A bitter herb with yellow flowers.
- Sagacious: Wise and able to make good judgments.
- Sapience: Deep knowledge or wisdom.
- Sedulous: Hardworking and diligent.
- Seneschal: A person who takes care of a noble’s household.
- Seraph, Seraphim: The highest type of angels.
- Solace: Comfort or relief from sadness.
- Spume: Foam or bubbles on top of water.
- Stygian: Related to the river Styx; dark and hellish.
- Styx, Acheron, Cocytus, Phlegethon: The four rivers in Hell.
- Synod: A gathering or meeting, often for religious purposes.
- Transpicuous: Clear and easy to understand.
- Tumid: Swollen or puffed up.
- Umbrage: Shade or shadow; a place that offers protection from the sun.
- Unctuous: Oily or greasy; smooth and slippery.
- Usurp: To take control of something without the right to do so.
- Vagaries: Strange or unexpected actions or changes.
- Vassal / Vassalage: A person who is under the control of someone else, like a servant.
- Verdant: Green and full of plants.
- Visage: The face, especially how it looks.
- Wanton: Wild and uncontrolled, often used to describe plants or nature.
- Welkin: The sky or heavens above.
- Wicket: A small door or gate, often found next to a larger door.
- Wont: Used to describe someone who is accustomed to doing something.
Literary Device:
Allegory:
An allegory is a story that uses symbols to share a hidden message or lesson. This message can be about doing the right thing, spiritual ideas, or even political thoughts. For example, in the story of “The Tortoise and The Hare,” the Tortoise and the Hare stand for different ways of doing things. The Tortoise shows how being slow but steady can win the race, while the Hare shows that being fast but too confident can make you lose. This story teaches us that taking your time and being patient is often better than rushing.
Paradise Lost can be seen as a story with a hidden political message. While the poem tells the tale of how Satan and humans lost their place in heaven, some people think it also talks about the events of the English Civil War. The poet, John Milton, supported Oliver Cromwell, a leader who removed King Charles I from power during the Civil War. Because of this, many believe that Milton might have used the story of Paradise Lost to comment on these events, with Cromwell being like Satan and King Charles I representing God.
Allusion:
In stories and writing, an allusion is when an author mentions someone or something without explaining it fully. They might refer to other books, well-known people, important events in history, or big ideas. Authors use allusions to add deeper meanings to their own stories by connecting them to these familiar things. You can find allusions not just in books, but also in movies, paintings, or even when people are talking to each other.
In Book 1, Milton uses allusions and simile to convey Satan’s enormous stature and power:
Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate
With head up-lift above the wave, and eyes
That sparkling blaz’d, his other parts besides
Prone on the flood, extended long and large
Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
As whom the fables name of monstrous size,
Titanian, or Earth-born, that warr’d on Jove,
Briareos or Typhon, whom the Den
By ancient Tarsus held, or that sea-beast
Leviathan, which God of all his works
Created hugest that swim th’ ocean stream…
In these lines, Milton uses an allusion to show how huge and powerful Satan is. An allusion is when a writer mentions something from a well-known story, myth, or history without explaining it directly. Here, Milton compares Satan to giant creatures from old stories, like the Titan giants, Briareos, and Typhon, who fought against the Greek god Zeus. He also mentions the Leviathan, a massive sea creature that appears in the Bible. By using these references, Milton helps readers imagine Satan as being as big and strong as these legendary monsters. It adds more meaning to the description, making Satan seem very mighty and threatening.
Paradox:
A paradox is a statement that seems to say two opposite things at the same time, but when you think about it carefully, you realize it makes sense. It might be confusing at first, but there’s a hidden truth in the statement.
In Book 3, God appears for the first time and Milton describes him as a “fountain of light”. It is an example of paradox:
Thee Father first they sung omnipotent,
Immutable, immortal, infinite,
Eternal King; thee Author of all being,
Fountain of light, thyself invisible
Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sitt’st
Throned inaccessible, but when thou shad’st
The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud
Drawn round about thee like a radiant shrine,
Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear,
Yet dazzle Heav’n, that brightest Seraphim
Approach not, but with both wings veil their eyes.
In these lines from Paradise Lost Book 3, Milton describes God using beautiful words and comparisons. He calls God a “fountain of light,” which means that God is like a bright, shining source of light. This description helps us imagine how powerful and amazing God is. Even though God is so bright, He is also invisible, which means no one can see Him directly because His light is too strong.
This passage shows logos because it uses clear ideas to explain why God is so special. It tells us that God is “immutable” (unchanging), “immortal” (lives forever), and “infinite” (without end). These words make us understand how great and powerful God is. Milton uses logic to explain that God’s brightness is so intense that even the brightest angels, called Seraphim, have to cover their eyes with their wings when they come near Him.
The description also contains a paradox, which means two ideas that seem opposite but go together. Milton says that God is “dark with excessive bright.” This means that God is so incredibly bright that it becomes impossible to see, like looking straight at the sun. It’s a smart way of showing how God’s power is beyond what anyone can truly understand. This logical explanation helps readers understand the mystery and greatness of God.
Personification:
Personification is a fun way to make non-human things seem like they have human qualities. For example, when we say, “The rain poured down on the wedding guests, not caring about their plans,” we are using personification. Rain can’t really care or feel anything like a person does, but saying it is “not caring” helps us understand how unfortunate it is for the wedding guests.
In the lines from Book 5 of Paradise Lost, Milton uses personification to describe the sun and morning in Eden. He says that the sun “shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray.” This means that the sun is given human-like actions, as if it can shoot its rays like an archer aiming an arrow.
So all was cleared, and to the field they haste.
But first from under shady arborous roof,
Soon as they forth were come to open sight
Of day-spring, and the sun, who scarce up risen
With wheels yet hov’ring o’er the ocean brim,
Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray,
Discovering in wide landscape all the east
Of Paradise and Eden’s happy plains
By using this personification, Milton helps us imagine the sun as an active character in the scene, making the morning feel more lively and magical. The sun is not just sitting in the sky; it’s doing something special, shining brightly to wake up the beautiful land of Eden.
This description creates a vivid picture of a lovely morning, where everything is fresh and new. It shows how the sun brings light to Eden and reveals all its beauty, making readers feel the joy and happiness of that moment before the Fall. The personification makes the scene feel warm and inviting, as if nature itself is celebrating the day.
Simile:
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two things using the words “like”, “as”, “so”, or “than”.
In Book 1 Milton uses simile to express Satan’s power:
Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate
With head up-lift above the wave, and eyes
That sparkling blaz’d, his other parts besides
Prone on the flood, extended long and large
Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
As whom the fables name of monstrous size,
Titanian, or Earth-born, that warr’d on Jove,
Briareos or Typhon, whom the Den
By ancient Tarsus held, or that sea-beast
Leviathan, which God of all his works
Created hugest that swim th’ ocean stream
In these lines from Paradise Lost, Milton uses simile to compare Satan to giant creatures from myths. A simile is a way of describing something by saying it is like something else. Here, Satan is described as being very large, just like some well-known monsters from stories.
The lines say that Satan’s body floats in the water, and his head is lifted high above the waves. His eyes sparkle brightly, which makes him look powerful and impressive. The simile compares Satan’s huge size to legendary creatures like Briareos, Typhon, and Leviathan. These creatures are famous for being massive and strong, like giants of the sea.
By using this simile, Milton helps us understand how mighty and fearsome Satan is. It shows that Satan is not just any fallen angel; he is enormous and intimidating, much like these legendary monsters that were known for battling powerful gods. This comparison makes Satan seem even more dangerous and significant in the story.
Literary Terms:
Foil:
In literature, a foil is a character who is very different from another character, usually the main one, to make their qualities stand out more. It’s like putting two opposites side by side so that you can see their differences more clearly. For example, if one character is very brave and their friend is scared, the brave one might seem even braver. The scared friend is the foil because their fear highlights the bravery of the other. This helps readers understand more about both characters and their personalities.
In the poem, Satan and the Son of God are like opposites, or foils, because they have very different actions and goals. Satan is jealous of Adam and Eve, so he tries to bring trouble and make things worse for them. But the Son of God wants to help Adam and Eve and make things better for them. The Son of God is described as shining and special, being very close to God. When the Son of God becomes God’s favorite helper, Satan gets very angry and decides to fight against God and Heaven. These differences make their characters stand out more.
Foreshadowing:
Foreshadowing is a way that writers give hints or clues about something that will happen later in the story. It’s like a little secret that the writer shares, but it doesn’t make sense until you read more of the story. Sometimes, writers give these hints in an obvious way, and other times, they hide them so readers have to pay close attention.
In Book 7 of Paradise Lost, the angel Raphael tells Adam and Eve the story of how God created the world. He uses beautiful words to describe how the earth changed and became full of life. At first, the earth was empty and plain, but when God spoke, things began to grow.
The earth started to grow fresh green grass, plants with seeds, and trees that gave fruit. It was as if the earth was waking up and becoming beautiful. The grass made the ground look like it was covered in a green blanket, and soon, flowers of different colors began to bloom, making the air smell sweet.
The plants grew quickly, like a garden coming to life all at once. Vines began to spread, gourds grew larger, and tall plants like corn stood straight in the fields. This description makes it feel like the earth is a living thing, happily showing off all the new plants. It also hints at Eve’s story later on, as she is closely connected to the nature that is coming to life here.
Imagery:
Imagery is when writers use words that help us imagine what we can see, hear, smell, taste, or feel. It’s like painting a picture in our minds using words. When a writer describes something in a way that makes us feel like we can see it, hear it, or even smell it, they are using imagery. For example, if a story says, “The sun was shining brightly, and the flowers smelled sweet,” we can imagine a sunny day with colorful flowers. Imagery makes stories and poems come alive by helping us picture what is happening.
In Book 3 of Paradise Lost, when God shows up for the first time, Milton describes Him in a beautiful way. He calls God a “fountain of light.” This means that God is like a source of bright light, shining everywhere. The words “fountain” and “light” help us picture how bright and powerful God is.
Milton uses other special words to show how amazing God is. He says God is “omnipotent,” which means He is all-powerful, and “immutable,” which means He never changes. God is also described as “immortal,” meaning He will never die, and “infinite,” which means He has no limits.
When God sits on His throne, He is surrounded by so much light that it’s hard for anyone to see Him directly. The light is so bright that even the brightest angels, called Seraphim, have to cover their eyes with their wings to look at Him. This shows how powerful and glorious God is, shining brighter than anything else in Heaven.
Logos:
Logos is one way to persuade, or convince, people by using logic and facts. It is one of the three main ways to make a strong argument, along with ethos (which focuses on trust) and pathos (which focuses on feelings).
When someone uses logos, they try to make their point by using things like numbers, facts, or clear reasons. For example, if a person wants to prove that exercising is good for you, they might use logos by talking about how studies show that exercise helps people stay healthy. Or, if someone is explaining a historical event, they might share the exact dates and facts to make their point clear.
In Book 1, Satan’s speech to the other expelled angels in Hell can be seen as an example of logos:
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less than he
Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.
In these lines from Paradise Lost, Satan is talking to the other fallen angels after they have been thrown out of Heaven. He is trying to convince them that they can still be powerful and important, even though they are in Hell.
Satan’s speech uses logos because he tries to make his argument sound logical and reasonable. He says, “The mind is its own place, and in itself Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.” Here, he means that their thoughts and attitude can change how they feel about their situation. He tries to make the other angels believe that even though they are in a bad place, they can still think of it in a positive way if they stay strong.
He also says, “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.” This is another part of his logical argument. He is saying that it’s better to be a leader in a place like Hell than to be a servant in a place like Heaven. He is trying to make the other angels feel that being in charge, even in a difficult place, is still a good thing.
By using these ideas, Satan tries to make the other angels feel better about their situation using logos. He gives reasons to show that they can still find some freedom and power in Hell. Even though his ideas might be tricky or misleading, he uses logic to try to make his argument sound strong and convincing.
Pathos:
Pathos is one of the three main ways to convince people, along with logos and ethos. Pathos is when someone tries to make others feel certain emotions to get them to agree with their idea. For example, if a speaker shares a sad or touching story, shows a picture that makes people feel happy or sad, or talks about a sense of duty or doing the right thing, they are using pathos. The goal is to make people feel strongly so that they will support what the speaker is saying. Pathos works by connecting with people’s feelings.
In Book 9, when Adam finds out that Eve has eaten the forbidden fruit, he feels shocked and sad. This moment makes readers feel for him because it shows how hurt he is.
On th’ other side, Adam, soon as he heard
The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed,
Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill
Ran through his veins, and all his joints relaxed;
From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve
Down dropped, and all the faded roses shed:
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
First to himself he inward silence broke.
When Adam hears the news, he stands there in disbelief, feeling a cold fear run through his body. He was making a beautiful garland of flowers for Eve, but in his shock, it falls from his hand. The lovely roses drop to the ground and lose their beauty. Adam looks pale and can’t find the words to say anything. Finally, after a while, he starts to think quietly to himself. This scene makes us feel sorry for Adam and shows how deeply he is affected by Eve’s choice.
Satire:
Satire is a way of using humor and cleverness to poke fun at people or things, often to show what is wrong or silly about them. For example, many comedians make jokes about politicians to make us think about their actions. But satire can be about more than just famous people; it can also criticize things like rules in society or certain laws.
Satire is not just found in jokes; it can be in stories, poems, and even movies or cartoons. It’s a fun way for writers and artists to share their opinions and help us see the world in a different light while making us laugh.
The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less than he
Whom thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.
In Book 1 of Paradise Lost, Satan talks to the other fallen angels in Hell. His speech uses a clever way of thinking that helps us understand his feelings. He says, “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.” This means that how we think can change our feelings about where we are.
Satan is telling the angels that even though they are in a bad place like Hell, they can still be strong and free. He believes it doesn’t matter where they are as long as they can still be themselves. This shows how powerful our thoughts can be. He also says, “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven,” which means he thinks it’s better to be in charge of a bad place than to be a servant in a good place.
Satan’s words make us see that even in a tough situation, we can still have control over our minds and choices. He uses his thoughts to create a sense of freedom, showing us how important it is to think positively, even when things seem dark.
Soliloquy:
A soliloquy is a special way for a character in a play to share their true thoughts and feelings. It’s like when someone talks to themselves out loud, as if no one else is listening. This usually happens when the character is alone on stage, so they can express what’s going on inside their mind.
Sometimes, a character might also speak directly to the audience during a soliloquy. In this case, it’s like they are inviting the audience to hear their private thoughts, almost like having a conversation with them.
When a soliloquy happens, other characters in the play are usually not around to hear it. If there are other characters present, the play is set up so it’s clear they cannot hear what the character is saying. Soliloquies help the audience understand the character better and make the story more interesting.
Nay curs’d be thou; since against his thy will
Chose freely what it now so justly rues.
Me miserable! which way shall I fly
Infinite wrath, and infinite despair?
Which way I fly is Hell; my self am Hell;
And in the lowest deep a lower deep
Still threatening to devour me opens wide,
To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav’n.
O then at last relent: is there no place
Left for repentance, none for pardon left?
In Book 4, while Satan is on his way to Paradise, he feels very confused and has a lot of doubts. He shares these thoughts in a soliloquy, which is a moment when he talks to himself about his feelings. In this part, he uses a paradox, which is when something seems to contradict itself.
He says that he curses himself because he made a choice that has led him to a very bad situation. He feels miserable and doesn’t know where to go to escape the pain and sadness he feels. He believes that wherever he tries to run, he will only find Hell. He even feels that he himself has become Hell. He describes his situation as being in the deepest part of despair, where things keep getting worse, and he longs for a moment of relief.
Satan then wonders if there is any chance for forgiveness or a way to change things. He is asking if there is still a place where he can feel sorry for what he has done and be forgiven. This shows how deeply troubled and desperate he is, revealing the emotional struggle within him.
Genre:
Paradise Lost is a long poem, called an epic, just like the famous stories The Odyssey and The Iliad written by a poet named Homer. An epic is a long story in the form of a poem that tells about the adventures of heroes. The Odyssey and The Iliad are about big events, like wars and battles, and they take place over many years.
Paradise Lost also talks about a big event: the story of how the first humans, Adam and Eve, made a mistake and how this changed the world. This is known as “the fall of man” because it tells how humans first made choices that led to the beginning of human history.
But Paradise Lost is different from Homer’s stories. Instead of describing huge battles and the rise and fall of entire cities, Milton focuses on what happens before Eve makes the choice to eat the forbidden fruit. The story’s action covers about a month instead of many years.
Also, Paradise Lost mainly talks about a few characters, like Satan, Adam, Eve, and God. On the other hand, The Odyssey and The Iliad have many characters, including gods and humans, all with their own stories. So, while Paradise Lost is about a very important event, it’s more focused on the feelings and choices of a small group of characters.
Mood:
The mood of a story is the feeling or atmosphere it creates for the reader. It’s the emotions you feel when you read it. Many things in a story can create the mood, like the setting (where the story takes place), the pictures the author paints with words, and the type of words and tone they use. For example, if a story starts with “It was a dark and stormy night,” it might make you feel scared, nervous, or like something mysterious is about to happen. The mood helps you feel like you are right inside the story!
The mood of Paradise Lost changes a lot, but it always feels big and important. It makes readers feel like the universe in the story is huge and full of different places like Heaven, Hell, and Paradise. Even though God tries to keep everything peaceful and organized, there is a lot of conflict. In the beginning, in Book 1, Satan is excited and gives a big speech to his followers.
But later, in Books 2 and 3, he faces a tough journey to find Paradise. Adam and Eve are happy at first, enjoying their time in Paradise, but in Book 9, their happiness is suddenly ruined. Heaven is supposed to be calm, but it’s always in danger from Satan and his followers. And while God is meant to be kind, he can also be strict and punishing. All of this makes the story feel like a mix of excitement, danger, and change.
Setting:
Setting is the time and place where a story happens. The place can be real, like the city of London, or it can be made up, like Malgudi in R.K. Narayan’s The Guide. The time can also be real, like the 1800s, or imagined, like the year 3000.
Other things that help create the setting are the landscape (like mountains or rivers), buildings, the time of day (morning, afternoon, or night), the social situation (like whether people are rich or poor), and the weather (sunny, rainy, or snowy).
For example, the setting of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a lonely old house and a hidden garden in England during the early 1900s. In contrast, the setting of The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne takes readers to different places and times, like ancient Egypt or the Wild West.
Paradise Lost is a story that takes us to different places, just like the Greek epic poem The Odyssey. It has three main settings: Heaven, Hell, and Eden (which is Paradise).
Eden is a special place for humans, described as a “pendent world” that hangs on a “golden chain” connected to Heaven. Between Heaven and Hell, there is a chaotic space called Chaos, which is like a big, messy area. It is protected by two scary creatures named Sin and Death, and it is ruled by Chaos itself.
Hell is where Satan lives. It was made by God as a punishment for Satan’s bad choices. On the other hand, Heaven is God’s beautiful home. Each of these places plays an important role in the story, showing us the struggles between good and evil.
Style:
Paradise Lost is written in a special style called blank verse, which means it doesn’t have rhymes but uses a rhythm called iambic pentameter. This means each line has exactly ten syllables. This style helps make the poem clear and organized, while also giving Milton the freedom to play with words without having to rhyme them.
Milton describes blank verse as “English heroic verse without rhyme.” He believes that rhyming is not essential for a good poem and that it’s something that came from a less sophisticated time. He thinks that real freedom in poetry comes from using this blank verse style instead of being tied down by rhymes. By doing this, Milton feels he has brought back the ancient freedom to write heroic poems without the need to rhyme every line.
Tone:
The tone of a piece of writing is how the writer feels about the subject. It can be happy, sad, funny, serious, or even mean. For example, if a newspaper article says someone “didn’t even have the courage to do the job themselves,” the tone is informal and critical. This means the writer is being both casual and negative about that person. The tone helps readers understand how the writer wants them to feel about what they’re reading.
The theme of Paradise Lost Analysis of Chaos and Redemption shows how the story moves from the chaos of disobedience to the hope of regaining lost grace.
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