Summary of Paradise Lost by John Milton , livre ebook

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When John Milton (1608–1674) set out to retell the story of the Bible, he sought to do what no epic poet had ever accomplished: to lay out in verse the Christian story of creation and the fall of humankind. It is Milton’s Satan who most captures the reader’s imagination, seducing us just as he seduces Eve; his pride, rebellion and impressive oratory make him a compelling and popular literary figure. Yet for all Satan’s rhetoric, Milton – himself a revolutionary who fought what he perceived to be a tyrannical king – makes clear the distinction between righteous and satanic rebellion. In his own words, Milton seeks to “justify the ways of God to man,” helping his readers understand the felix culpa, or “fortunate fall,” that led to their redemption through Christ. Though often prized for its grand style, equivalency with the great classical epics and its rich poetry, Paradise Lost offers more than exquisite language. The poem is dense with theological and political debate. It offers a fierce interrogation of the nature of tyranny, sin, redemption, free will, fate, reason, individual liberty and love.

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Publié par	GetAbstract AG
Date de parution	12 avril 2021
Nombre de lectures	1
EAN13	9798887270470
Langue	English

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Paradise Lost
John Milton•First edition: London 1667

Epic
Early modern period

Take-Aways With Paradise Lost , John Milton wrote the greatest English epic poem – an artistic and theological masterpiece. Satan, having lost the war for Heaven, seeks revenge by seducing God’s newest creation, Man, into disobedience. Satan enters Paradise by guile and persuades Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, resulting in sin and death’s entry into the world. However, because the Son of God offers to die for their sins, humans can be redeemed. Once expelled from Eden, the angel Michael shows Adam humankind’s future. Milton utilized a new style of poetry for his new English epic – that of heroic verse. Ambitiously, Milton declared his intention to “justify the ways of God to man” with this poem, illuminating the need for the fall of humankind and the relationship between God’s omnipotence, fate and free will. Milton’s involvement in the English Civil War and work for Oliver Cromwell’s interregnum government influenced the author’s depiction of tyranny and revolution, as well as colored his contemporaries’ reception of the politically charged poem. Milton was a devout Presbyterian and a staunch defender of individual liberty – views that surface in his depictions of God and free will. In the poem, Milton stresses the possibility of redemption and the importance of adherence to Christian virtues, such as obedience to God. Milton’s Satan seduced readers as well as the characters; his oratorical power and republican rhetoric made him a popular figure, especially in the Romantic era. Some critics believe Milton subconsciously sided with Satan. The poet was blind when he wrote Paradise Lost , and he dictated the epic poem. “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.”

What It’s About
Justifying the Ways of God to Man
When John Milton (1608–1674) set out to retell the story of the Bible, he sought to do what no epic poet had ever accomplished: to lay out in verse the Christian story of creation and the fall of humankind. It is Milton’s Satan who most captures the reader’s imagination, seducing us just as he seduces Eve; his pride, rebellion and impressive oratory make him a compelling and popular literary figure. Yet for all Satan’s rhetoric, Milton – himself a revolutionary who fought what he perceived to be a tyrannical king – makes clear the distinction between righteous and satanic rebellion. In his own words, Milton seeks to “justify the ways of God to man,” helping his readers understand the felix culpa , or “fortunate fall,” that led to their redemption through Christ. Though often prized for its grand style, equivalency with the great classical epics and its rich poetry, Paradise Lost offers more than exquisite language. The poem is dense with theological and political debate. It offers a fierce interrogation of the nature of tyranny, sin, redemption, free will, fate, reason, individual liberty and love.

Summary
Fallen Angels
John Milton invokes his muse to sing of the fall and salvation of humankind, that he might “assert Eternal Providence and justify the ways of God to men.” Satan , cast down from heaven for leading the rebellion against God, lies chained in a lake of fire. Despite this torment, he addresses his lieutenant Beelzebub , assuring him that with vengeance, hatred and courage, they can resist the tyranny of heaven. At Satan’s urging, the fallen angels shake off their chains and follow him to land, forming a mighty army composed of the great demons of biblical history. Satan gives a rousing speech, admitting they were defeated by heaven’s forces but ordering them not to despair. “By fraud or guile,” they will oppose God. Inspired, the devils set to work. They erect a spectacular palace which they christen Pandemonium, the new seat of rule in hell.
Sin, Death and Chaos
Satan sits on the throne as his council debates the way forward. Should they make a second assault on Heaven itself? The vengeful Moloch supports open war, but the subtle Belial fears such a venture would fail, warning that God’s wrath could damn them to worse punishments than Hell. Mammon points out that even if God forgave them, they simply would be readmitted as slaves in his service, forced to obey their enemy; they must abandon the war. Beelzebub offers a new plan. They can build an empire in Hell and attack God indirectly. Rumor has it that God is building a new world, Earth, and a new race to populate it: Man. They could destroy or seduce these new creatures, avenging themselves against their creator.

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