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Important Reference To Context Of Paradise Lost

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Important Reference To Context Of Paradise Lost. The will learn that how to Write Explanation with Reference in Poetry. Some important parts taken from Text of John Milton‘s poetry briefly write below.

Paragraph No.1

…Some cursed fraud.

Of enemy hath beguiled thee; yet unkown, 

And me with thee hath ruined; for with thee

Certain my resolution is to die.

Explanation with Reference to the Context:

These lines have been extracted from the Book 9 of “Paradise Lost” written by John Milton. In these given lines under reference, we come to know that as Eve delayed in returning that fills Adam with suspicions and he worriedly went out in search of her with a garland of roses in his hands. He found it. Eve, near the ‘Tree of Knowledge’ with a bough of freshly plucked fruit in her hand. Watching all this, Adam’s heart filled with sorrow and anguish. But Eve started telling Adam about the seduction of Satan by her cheerfully;in which she ate the fruit of a forbidden tree. Here Adam does not show his reaction rapidly but feels that Eve has been ruined and lost totally. He also vows to eat the fruit and perish along with her because of his great love for her. Adam became stunned on hearing Eve’s story and started thinking that such a holy and divine creature like Eve should easily be tempted by the cursed enemy. Eve not only ruined herself but also ensured Adam’s ruin because he had resolved to die with her. Adam was afraid of the loneliness of the paradise and he had already requested God to give him a companion; and he was blessed with Eve by God. Adam also thought that if Eve died then he would have to live alone once again which he did not want to do because God had joined him in marriage with Eve. Adam was of the views that if God created another Eve yet the memory of this Eve would always haunt him because Eve was the flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone. So, we see that Adam is determined to live with her both in bliss and woe. In short, we can say that Adam shows his endless love for her and resolves to eat the fruit willfully because he cannot live without her.

Paragraph No.2

Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace,

And rest can never dwell, hope never comes

That comes to all;….

Explanation with Reference to the Context: 

These lines have been extracted from the Book 1 of “The Paradise Lost” written by John Milton. In the given selective lines, Milton draws the picture of the Hell in which Satan and his followers are to live forever. A very horrible and dreadful picture of Hell is drawn by Milton. It is a place like a horrible dungeon which is surrounded by fire on all sides and the flames of fire are very huge but these flames do not produce light because the damned are deprived of the sight of God who symbolizes light. A very dreadful and powerful image of darkness is created by Milton by using the word oxymoron ’darkness visible’. This powerful image of darkness creates an atmosphere of woe, sorrow, gloomy shadows and fears where peace, rest and calmness can never exist. Allah separates the light from the fire which symbolizes as the brightness of life while Satan and his followers are deprived of this brightness of life and they are dammed to the torture of the burning flames. Satan and his followers have waged an impious war against God and thus they have earned the wrath of God to be imprisoned in Hell which comprises ‘regions of sorrow’ and doleful shadows. It is a place of endless torture where unconsumed sulphur is burning for its denizens.

Paragraph No.3

Fallen cherub to be weak is miserable,

Doing or suffering; but of this be sure

To do aught good never will be our task

But ever to do ill our sole delight…… 

Explanation with Reference to the Context:

The selective lines have been taken from an epic poem “Paradise Lost” Book – 1, written by John Milton. The theme of this epic poem revolves around the fall of Adam and Eve; as a result of tasting the fruit of the forbidden tree. In reaction to Satan’s first speech to his comrades, Beelzebub (the angel of light and knowledge) presents a pessimistic and gloomy response before Satan. Satan regards it a weak and bad sign for him and for his other followers. He feels that it is a sign of weakness on the part of Beelzebub who regrets the terrible war under which consequences, they will be thrown from Heaven to Hell. Here, Satan boasts up Beelzebub’s morale and spirit by saying that he should give up weakness because it generates misery. Here, we see that inwardly Satan confesses that physically they are weaker than God. This very thing itself is a main cause of their disappointment and misery. But, in spite of his genuine confession, he excites and spurs up the spirit or morale of his comrades by saying that they have an indomitable will to never do good. They will always have to oppose God by doing ill deeds or things. Now, their main aim or task of doing all kinds of works or things is to feel delight in doing or acting contrary to the will of God. 

Paragraph No.4

Of the fruit

of each tree in the garden we may eat,

But of the fruit of this fair tree a midst

The garden, God hath said, ‘ye shall not eat

Thereof, not shall ye touch it, Last ye die” 

Explanation with Reference to the Context:

These selective lines have been extracted from an epic poem “Paradise Lost” Book 9, written by John Milton. This epic poem has been written on the theme of the fall of Adam and Eve; as a result of tasting the fruit of the forbidden tree. In the selective lines under discussion, Eve talks to Satan who has come before her in the guise of a serpent in the garden of Eden. Finding her alone, he excites and allures her to taste the fruit of the tree planted in the middle of the garden. In the response to Satan’s earlier address to her, Eve replies that God has commanded us not to eat the fruit of this tree. She says that they have been allowed to eat the fruit of every tree in this garden, but about the fruit of this beautiful and fair tree in the middle of the garden, God has commanded us by saying: “You shall not eat it; nor shall you touch it, lest you should die”. Eve means to say that if they taste or eat the fruit of this tree, their this act may bring an act of death in them; and they may not live long after this.

Paragraph No.5

Space may produce new worlds;

where of so rife there went a fame in Heaven that ere long.

Intended to create, and therin plant

A generateion whom his choice regard.

Should favour equal to the sons of Heaven.

Explanation with reference to the context:

The selective lines have been extracted from a long narrative poem “Paradise Lost”. Book I, written by John Milton. The subject or theme of this epic poem revolves around the fall of Adam and Eve after eating the fruit of the forbidden tree. In his earlier address to the fallen angels, Satan has already pointed out by saying that their previous defeat was due to the untried force of God. He further apprehends that now they might not be able to win an open war. In the selective lines under reference, Satan talk about the current humour in Heaven that God plans to create a new race equal in favour to the sons of Heaven. Here, Satan gets his followers intended to renew a revolt against God and for this, they all must visit to the world of the new race for having a detailed survey of it. The hidden intention of them here is an exercise of fraud and guile on this new race to avenge themselves. Actually, Satan excites his Flowers or comrades by saying that they will not tolerate their imprisonment in the infernal pit into which they have been fallen by God. Being celestial spirits, this place will not be suitable for them. 

Paragraph No.6

Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat.

Sighing through all her works gave signs of woe,that all was lost

Explanation with reference to the context:

These lines have been extracted from the Book 9 of “Paradise Lost”, written by John Milton. In these lines under reference, Milton says that Satanic false and baseless argumentation of eating the fruit overcome Eve’s reasoning and she eagerly and keenly plucks and eats the fruit. Her this very act not only brings their fall but also a fall for all life on the earth. After her sinful act, Adam sees that the flowers he had picked for her had withered. Eve’s sinful act also affects the whole nature and she sighs through all her objects. Satan in the guise of serpent, slipped away secretly after achieving his vicious aim. The action of eating the forbidden fruit also showed its effect and Eve started acquiring the wisdom of differentiating between the good and the bad. She even thought that she might attain God-head that showed her to be guilty of the sin of gluttony. 

Paragraph No.7

 If them his providence

Out of our evil seek to bring forth good,

Our labour must be to pervert that end,

And out of goods still to find means of evil; 

Explanation with Reference to the Context:

These lines have been extracted from Book 1 of «Paradise Lost” written by John Milton. We know that in his first speech Satan stresses on the angelic qualities; immortality and determination of his followers and asserts of waging an endless war against the tyrannical God. After listening to the first speech of Satan, Beelzebub replies that the spirits are immortal and with soon recover their diminished strength, but expresses his fear that God may use them as his thralls by the right of war and may employ them in his own service. In the response to the apprehensions of Beelzebub, Satan says that now, his and his own follower’s every effort will go against God’s designs and they all will always convert good into evil. Satan further speaks about the providence of God and asserts that if God’s providence aims at bringing good out of their evil then they must try their best to prevent this attempt and bring evil out of good. Satan has dead sure that they all will certainly succeed in their efforts of upsetting God’s designs and his actions. Now, there is no doubt in saying that Satan’s arguments always show incarnate evil because he thinks nothing else except of evil. It is also very evident now that once he has chosen the path of wickedness, he never ever wants to depart from it. He is absolutely an embodiment of pride and vanity.

Paragraph No.8

Trice he assayed, and thrice, in spite of scorn

Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth: at last

Words interwove with sighs found out their way; 

Explanation with Reference to the context:

These lines have been extracted from Book 1 of “Paradise Lost” written by John Milton. In this long narrative and epic poem, John Milton tells about the fall of Adam and Eve from the Heaven. It was caused due to man’s disobedience to Allah’s command of not eating the fruit of forbidden tree. In the form of serpent, Satan excited or tempted Eve after finding her alone in the Garden of Eden. After being tempted by Satan, Eve plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree with her own hands and ate it relishly. After eating it, she goaded or persuaded Adam to eat it so that they both may remain companions in eating it.

 Explanation:

In the selective lines under reference, Satan and his followers are describing their past glory in heaven. Later, their glory and charms of body were lost due to Satan’s disobedience to the command (orders) of Allah. Satan observed that even with the faded glory of their bodies, his -followers were still loyal and devoted to him. As Satan intended to address them, they all came close to one another and circled around Satan. They all have prepared themselves attentive to listen to the speech of Satan. Thrice, he attempted, and thrice though he hated him strongly for such weakness, in an angelic manner, he started weeping and tears started falling from his eyes. As a result, words mingled with sighs and grieves for finding out their way.

Who is the hero of Milton’s Paradise Lost,Adam Or Satan

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Who is The hero of Milton’s Paradise Lost, it is a confusing question for reader because there are two main characters, ‘Adam Or Satan‘. As we discuss the word ‘hero’ in its true meanings and contents. We first of all come to know that this word has some specific limitations and traits on the basis of which any figure or character is termed as hero. Oftenly these qualities are as a man of towering personality dominating on the whole of the action; a man of high rank whether a general or king, prince or highly respected person among the people. He is highly honourable, respected and noble person who is respected by everyone.

As far as the matter of Paradise Lost is concerned in which this question rises again and again that who is the hero of ‘Paradise Lost’ and this very question has been a matter of great controversy. It was Dryden who first of all expressed the opinion that “the Devil is the hero of Milton’s poem”. This very statement affected other poets and critics very much and they also started considering Satan as a hero of Paradise Lost. These were Blake, Shelly, Hazlitt and many other critics and poets who agreed to this idea. On the other side there were other many critics of modern age, such as C.S. Lewis and Milton Gardner who thought that Satan’s character showed a gradual and continual decline. 

“From hero to general, from general to politician, from politician to secret service agent and to a thing that enters into the bedroom or bathroom windows and thence to a toad and finally a snake”. 

From this above mentioned statement, the later critics and poets do not consider Satan as the hero of Paradise Lost.Let us, first of all we throw light on those critics and poets who consider Satan as a heroic figure. They are of the view that he is the only character who is presented through conflict and endurance. They uplift his status equal to the great heroes of worldly acknowledged and lamed dramatist – Shakespeare. Satan is thus as tragic hero as Macbeth or Hamlet or King Lear is. The very first quality of Satan that attracts these critics is his unyielding courage and spirit. They further argue that in spite of his defeat, he is determined to continue war against God. One of the greatest and best traits or qualities of Satanic heroism is that he has immortal hate for his enemy. The very solid plea which they give here and on the basis of which this hatred takes its origin is the sense of ‘injured merit’ which means that God has ignored Satan’s merit and impelled him to raise a rebellion.

The very third quality, which is referred by them is Satan’s strong determination because he ignores the great torments of Hell and keeps up his nerves and does not give up his determination to tight, on the basis of these above mentioned qualities, the supporters of Satan as a hero, attribute moral qualities to him and they are convinced by his leadership. And convince that the hero of Milton’s Paradise Lost is Satan.

Adam-and-satan
Expression of Hell And Heaven

They are too much sympathetic towards him that they even start shedding tears over the sufferings of him because they think that Satan himself is too much sympathetic over the sufferings of his companions that his eyes shed tears. Being the leader of the fallen angels, Devil himself searches for the new creation of Adam and Eve singlehandedly through Abyss while the fallen angels sit silent over the dangers. So the supporters of Satan as a hero term his this heroic adventure of searching the new creation of Adam and Eve as an adventure of a great hero of human race.

John Milton has other kinds of views and on the contrary, he has shown some bad and so called qualities in the character of Satan which have debased his title of hero and established him, a confirmed villain. Milton himself is of the views that he is proud and as such he is a victim of cardinal sin according to Christianity. Milton speaks on the basis of the preachings and teachings of Christianity in which pride is the main cause of Satan’s fall. In most of the dramas and novels in English Literature, it is often observed that the sinful heroes often repent and ask for God’s grace but we see in Milton’s Paradise Lost that Satan does not repent so he does not win our sympathies and loses the dimensions of a tragic and heroic figure.

the hero of Milton's Paradise Lost,Adam Or Satan
Adam And Satan At the doors of Hell and Heaven

Above all, there is another very bad quality which leads his character to a worthless and mean hero and it is this that he feels or takes delight in evil. The critics and poets who disregard or reject Satan as a hero, are of the views, that his only aim is either to grieve or to disturb God by frustrating His plan. This is something that is not admirable in his character. Moreover the responsibility for the fall of one third of angels from Heaven relies on Satan’s action. Though in the first two books, Satan is presented as a heroic figure and the impression gathered, was wrongly gathered because it started fading away when the degradation of his character was studied in the light of the total poem.

It is stated in clear cut manner by Milton when his change from Arch-angel to a snake is described by him. Though the total poem gives the impression of his being villain yet it can also be gathered from the reading of the first two books. The use of Homeric similes which Milton uses especially for him which at surface appear to be digressions, actually Milton indirectly comments on the deceitful nature and ugly picture of Satan. This is very apparent from the comparison of Satan with Leviathan or Autumn leaves. In simple words, it can be said that if Satan is as huge as Leviathan, he is as tricky and destructive as the sea monster.

It is very openly and rightly said by some critics that the great rebel is not a grand hero but a wicked villain. And at the same time, they are of the view that not Satan but the hero of Milton’s Paradise Lost is Adam who is the central figure of Paradise Lost. Because it is the character of Adam which gives unity to the entire action of the poem; and his fate, his experience are the chief subject matters of this poem. Trusty speaking, it can be said vehemently that in the character of Adam, Milton has presented a new concept of heroism, based on Christian virtue of  patience, love, generosity and humility. These are such moral values of great importance which are the direct negation of the pagan concept of heroism based on pride, revenge, hatred, war mongering, deception and self-love, depicted in the epics of Homer and Virgil.

Though there are some superficial values of weakness, meakness and simplicity in Adam but all these are in reality a strength of his personality. So we can say that Milton has presented a figure who appears imaginatively and poetically and who has a natural magnificence worthy of this great epic.Having all the above mentioned characteristics and merits and demerits of the analysis of heroic figures, we come towards the conclusion that though Satan is the most dominant personality in Paradise Lost and his character has been a subject of sharp controversy among the various critics yet many romantic poets like Blake, Shelley and Hazlitt think of him as the hero of PI.

But when we see the modern critics of new age such as John Peter, Nicolsun, David Batches, etc. then we come to know that in the whole poem, the degradation of Satanic figure has been presented. So, we can say in the concluding remarks that “to be or not to be the question” as the hero of Milton’s Paradise Lost but it is very evident from his participation of his character that Milton has depicted or portrayed his character in a very powerful and undeniable reality of the strength of his character in Paradise Lost.

How Milton Justify The Ways Of God To Men?

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Milton Justify “The Ways Of God To Men” how far it is true? As a deep and Careful study of “Paradise Lost” shows that at the very outset of the book we come to know about the theme of Milton’s Paradise Lost. It is a very good technique or trait of his art of writing that he announces the theme of this book in the very opening lines so that the readers could get a better understanding of the real subject matter of this poem in the next coming text of the poem. Though the story of this is about the fall of Adam and Eve and their redemption yet the theme which had been handled in the P.L. was of universal appeal.

It is well known that the fall of Adam is due to his disobedience. Satan in the guise of a serpent approaches Eve, flatters her and tempts her to eat the fruit of a forbidden tree. After eating or having taken the fruit of the forbidden tree, Eve approaches Adam who because of his love for Eve, takes the fruit from her generous hand and eats it.

This very act of disobedience gives rise to the question that whatsoever may be the reason for their disobedience of God’s commandment, one thing is very clear that their act brought death into the world. Therefore, they are not perpetually and eternally condemned because both of them repent over their sin and finally or eventually are regenerated by Christ’s act of sacrifice on the cross.

The motive or purpose behind this writing of the grand epic is to “justify the ways of God to man”. The justification of the ways of God to men are made by John Milton in different ways. In the first place, he justifies the ways of God to men in a logical way. He proves that God held men responsible for their sin because he made them quite perfectly. Moreover, God sent Raphael to warn them against Satan’s intentions of reducing them. At the next place, Milton justifies the ways of God to men in a religious manner. He proves this fact that God has the ability to bring good out of the evil action of Adam and Eve. For this, God created the world. God placed this new creation in heaven in the position vacated by fallen angels. God also blessed Adam with the ability to repent which ultimately caused his forgiveness.

On the contrary, Satan remained unrepented and thus was not forgiven or pardoned. In addition to this, God permits Christ, his son, to adopt the role of man and protect himself From Satan’s temptation. Christ is not tempted from Satan’s temptation; rather he sacrifices himself on the cross and in this way defeats Satan and finally redeems Adam from the original sin. On the third place, Milton justifies the ways of God to men in a scientific way. He tells us that God makes the evil of death an instrument of goodness. To simplify this statement, we can say that death becomes God’s instrument for releasing away man’s corruption without which corruption would have choked the earth. It is also a phenomenon of life that if there had not been an act of death in the world which means releasing free from the facts of worries, sorrows or rejoices, amusements, etc. of life.

Without it, our world would have become a place of monotony or a living hell. So, we see that death comes to man as a relief from old age and disease. At the last place, Milton justifies God’s ways to men or action to men in a poetic manner. The development of the characters of Adam and Eve is a solid proof in this regard. When Adam and Eve appeared in the poem first time, they were really charming children. After committing the sin of eating the fruit of a forbidden tree, they nonetheless remained children. They were sorry of their sin and thus through the act of repentance, they learn compassion, charity and humility which they were lacking in the days of innocence in Paradise. So when they leave Paradise, they are more attractive human beings than they were during their stay in the Garden of Eden.

So, we see that this is how Milton presents the justification of the ways of God to men in a very simple and clear cut way in order to purify the heart of man rather than his intellect. One thing which becomes very prominent is that Milton gives much stress on Christian concept of redemption in Paradise Lost. It was Milton’s intention that he did not want to tell the Biblical stories but wanted to produce a mystic mood in the reader.Though there had been much criticism on the technique of presenting God’s ways to men yet we, being the readers of Milton’s Paradise Lost, do not find solid and apt reasons that Milton had failed to justify the ways of God to men as some other critics thought. They had tried to argue again and again by saying that the introduction of paganism is quite out of place in a religious poem.

Though they have presented their plea yet their argument does not take much weight. In the character of Satan, actually Milton condemned the concept of hero; based on revenge, hatred, self-love and pride. These were such qualities or traits of heroism which were presented or depicted in the classical epic of Homer and Virgil. On the contrary, Milton negated these ‘above mentioned qualities of heroism which were based on pagan qualities of wrong heroism but he had presented new qualities of heroism based on love, understanding, tolerance, etc. which were the true qualities of a new concept of a Christian hero in the character of Adam. It had also rightly been said that if he was attracted by pagan mythology then he would never have invoked “Heavenly Muse”. In other words; that was God to help him in writing this great poem. The very sound and solid example in this regard was seen in the lines of the poem in which Milton attributed Mount Oreb over Mount Aonin, showed his justification of the ways of God to men.

In the very opening lines of the poem, Milton himself announces the theme of Paradise Lost and utters with such magnitude as to impress on us the fact that no ordinary or classical Muse could ever deal with the lofty theme that he himself was going to handle in his poem. Coleridge has rightly commented on this that while Homer’s epics are typically Greek poems but the theme of P.L. is something universal. Another prominent critic named as Saurat had also said aptly that

 “The theme of Paradise Lost teaches that passion and reason are the two powers in man, must be in harmonious equilibrium, passionate triumphant over reason is the source of all evils.” 

To conclude this above discussion, we can say vehemently and openly that the theme of Paradise Lost which was handled by John Milton, was really lofty and sublime one because he had very beautifully and aptly justified the ways of God to men which were of universal appeal in their true contents. A prominent critic of English Literature had very beautifully pointed out the contrast between the true delight of love and the false delight which led to sorrow. It was Frank Hermode who had pointed out this above mentioned statement and further, was of the views that false delight of love was When Adam dominated by passion instead of reason; disobeyed God’s order and led to sorrow. This is the very reality which had been presented by Milton through the lofty theme “of justification of God’s ways to men.”

What are The Reasons Of ‘The Fall of Adam And Eve’

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What are The Reasons Of ‘The Fall of Adam And Eve’ it is a question for the reader and as we, being the readers of Milton‘s Paradise Lost, come to know from the very beginning of the poem that the central subject matter of the poem or epic is concerned with the central action of the fall of Adam and Eve.

Adam-And-Eve

The central scene of Paradise Lost is the fall of Eve and Adam in which they eat the fruit of a forbidden tree due to the temptation of Satan.Satan who is the worst enemy of human beings, works on Eve’s thinking and on will power in the guise of a snake.

In the guise of serpent, Satan secretly enters into the garden of Eden and talks to Eve in a manner of secret agent. He describes the advantages of eating the fruit of a forbidden tree and gives some other certain attractions and allurements of eating the fruit of this forbidden tree. Eve puts forward her arguments to Adam that they’ would work more if they divide their duties of labour. Here, Eve criticizes God and thinks that the work which they do is somewhat more than their capacities permit.

Serpent-enter-in-Eden

According to some critics’ views, Eve’s dissatisfaction with the order of things shows the germs of evil in her character and points towards her tragic fall. Adam who makes full use of his prudence and does not accept her views, so he also does not agree with her suggestion. He is of the views that they are stronger when united. He tells her about his apprehensions that she might not be found by the malicious foc in his absence. Eve who is reluctant to accept Adam’s suggestion and is hurt by Adam’s opinion. However, she insists on her independence. After the continual insistence, the arguments between Adam and Eve end when Adam permits her to go alone.

Though Eve had got permission to go to Adam yet this kind of newly achieved liberty was not approved by some prominent critics. Milton himself does not approve of such kind of liberty because he thinks that such independence opens the way for evil to attack her. This point is Very, worthy to note here that if she had not insisted on her independence then the event of the fall would never have been accured. Moreover, Eve’s love for independence is directly against the will of God who had devised an interdependent life programme for them. Eve’s liberty at once reminds us of Satan’s liberty as depicted in Book I.

Satan-As-a -enemy-of-man

Being the worst enemy of the human race. Satan had permanent hatred against human beings and always intended to disturb God’s programme. The liberty of Satan is based on a negative kind of independence because Satan always felt delight in evil doings. His everlasting hatred is generated from his feelings of ‘injured merit’. Being so rude and self determined. Satan preferred to reign in Hell rather than to serve in Heaven which was an open challenge to God’s authority. If we compare this proud independence to the liberty of Eve then we come to know that Eve’s dissatisfaction with God’s scheme or plan of things is based on the difference of opinion. Taking as a whole or together, whether it is Satan’s uncontrolled liberty or Eve’s difference of opinion, both are not recommended by God.

In the very next scene, we see Eve placed side by side with Satan. Milton describes this very scene in a very romantic way. Satan who is always in the persuation of Eve and finally finds her alone in the early hours of the day. He moves towards her in a very deceptive style and after reaching very close to Eve, he starts flattering her. At first glance, she is stunned or moved by the way of addressing a snake and is surprised by the serpent’s capacity for speech. Now, she becomes more curious to know more about him. Satan avails this very opportunity at its full swing and starts making dialogues with her. First of all, he himself tells a lie that he has eaten the fruit of the tree. He starts counting the pleasures, delights and advantages which the fruit of this tree has given or infused in him in the very curious mood, she asks him to show her the tree. Watching this tree at the first glance, she bends her head in disappointment because it was the forbidden tree.

The-Reasons-Of-Satan-tempts-eve

The tricky Satan, abruptly comes to know about Eve’s reluctance in tasting the fruit and at the same time, changes his role and delivers a very powerful rhetorical speech which shows his great psychological understanding of the character of Eve. For a short while, he ignores Eve and turns his attention towards tree itself and starts addressing the tree in the following words:

“O sacred wise and wisdom giving plant, Mother of science”

Outwardly, he removes his pressure from Eve, but inwardly at once he catches her unawareness and again begins flattering her. He assures her that there is no need to believe in the threat of death. Satan, in the guise of serpent, forwards an argument to Eve from which there is no escape for Eve. He asks her if the tree offers knowledge or Good then avoidance from it is unjustifiable and if it offers knowledge of Evil. Once again abstention from it is unnecessary because it is caster to shun evil once it is known.

Moreover, he presents a lame excuse or lie in order to capture the thinking power of Eve fully. He further assures her that if she cats the fruit of a forbidden tree then God would certainly praise or appreciate her this act of courage. After this, Eve becomes totally answerless and speechless and she is completely affected or impressed by listening to the argument of this famous speech of temptation. Though Eve is unable to make any answer yet she ponders over it quite carefully and in a very -deep thinking which is just like a soliloquy, she thinks of the afterward consequences. After judging the pros and cons, she reaches the conclusion that ignorance from Evil would always keep her away from the full importance of goodness.

Here some critics are of the view that her act of pondering over the consequence is certainly praise worthy but the irony of the fact is that her analysis is based on Satan’s lie about the tasting of the forbidden fruit. Then instantly Eve plucks the fruit and greedily eats the fruit.

Here Milton very beautifully and vividly draws the picture of the remorse and upheaval of the natural surroundings because nature itself seems to regret over her action. But on the other hand, Eve feels intoxicated and proudly-asserts that God is too far to watch her. Satan takes full advantage of the situation and slips away into the bush. At the next stage, Eve meets with Adam. As she is fully tempted by Satan and starts thinking herself equal to Adam. Now, she wants that Adam should eat the fruit of a forbidden tree which has recently given her an extraordinary power, sense of liberty, free will and also a sense of equality. The only sense of jealousy in Eve’s feelings prevents her because she doesn’t want Adam to be wedded to another woman at any cost because if she dies as a result of eating the forbidden fruit then Adam would be wedded with another woman.

At the very first glance, meeting with two Adam is shocked at the frank style of her life and the wreath or flowers which he had woven for her hair fell on the ground. In the very alluring and persuasive manner, Eve begins to tempt Adam She argues with full force and confidence that the serpent has tasted the fruit and is still alive. Further, she also tells him that by eating it he too would rise to the status of a deity like her.

Owing to the influence of dominating passion, Adam decides that it is better to die quite consciously for his wife because he thinks that he could not live without her. As he has deep love for Eve by the cores of his heart and thinks that even another Eve could not make him forget his present wife. Eve feels delighted and confident that Adam has offered her so noble a proof of his love. With her loving hands, she offers Adam a piece of the fruit and he eats it quite consciously.

Milton is of the view here that Adam’s act of eating fruit is itself an act of uxoriousness. Actually he is not deceived but it is his passion of love for Eve which dominates on his reason and he succumbs to the victim of Eve’s allurement and attraction which Eve presents before Adam in a persuasive manner.

The-Fall-of-Adam-And -Eve

Their severe consequences of the sin begin when instantly both of them become conscious of their nakedness and a desire for sex rises in both. Now, they are no more innocent. Whatever they do, is neither beautiful nor dignified. In the meanwhile, sleep overcomes them but their sleep is not peaceful. Though they sleep yet they get up very soon and start quarreling with each other over the loss of their innocence.

Another sudden change which occurs in them is that they start feeling shameful. In a very repenting mood both of them sit down and start weeping and also blaming each other of the sin. Here we see that the relationship of man and woman takes absolutely a new turn. At this very moment in the poem, there arises a very major difficulty and Milton finds an opportunity to comment on their action. He points out the reason on the basis of which Adam commits the sin.

Adam-And-Eve

According to Milton’s viewpoint, Adam’s fall is due to the influence of ‘female charm’. Here, we see that this reason of Adam’s fall is different from the earlier reason of uxoriousness which he has presented or pointed out in the previous scene. This is a thematic inconsistency because the text of the poem presents Adam’s passion of love for Eve as the cause of his sin while Milton deviates from his own text and considers ‘female charm’ as the cause of his tragic fall. Apart from Milton, there are many other critics who have given their own opinions about Adam’s fall in criticism. Though all of them have defined his tragic fall in terms of a formula yet it is very difficult to find a very satisfactory formula for the fall of Eve and Adam.

Keeping all the above discussion in mind, we can conclude in the following remarks that any such attempt either it is from Milton or from his critic, is bound to end in failure because the style has failed to solve or reconcile the contradiction between the action of the scene and the commentary made on it. In simple words, we can conclude that the grand style has been able to present a situation which is beyond the grasp of the poet but there is no doubt in saying that Milton’s Paradise Lost is one of the greatest masterpieces of English Literature.

 

How to define Paradise Lost As a Renaissance Epic?

By
AQ Team (Hate War Love Peace)
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0
How-to-define-Paradise-Lost-As-a-Renaissance-Epic

Paradise Lost As a Renaissance Epic define because whenever we term any great poem of English Literature as an epic, we, first of all, recall some basic requirements or demands which an epic requires. An epic has some special traits or dimensions which are normally its grand style, theme, heroic personality of the main figure, adventurous like atmosphere, long narrative style, use of heavenly muse etc.

Paradise-Lost-As-A-Renaissance-Epic

Let us, we discuss Paradise Lost by Milton in the light of above mentioned requirements of a great epic. When we have a careful, deep and extensive study of Paradise Lost, we come to know that Paradise Lost was written in an epic form and was modeled on the classical poems of Homer’s Ilied and Virgil’s Aeneid. Study of these poems shows that an epic is constructed on a very large scale and is concerned with a great historical event which changes the history of a nation.

Analytically speaking or categorically saying, the first essential feature of an epic is thus its theme. The epics of the past writers as Homer’s epic was based on the cultural and national level of the Greeks while Virgil’s action in the Aeneid was about the hopes and aspirations of the Romans. As for the theme of Milton’s Paradise Lost is concerned which is far above the conventional historical themes because it is a spiritual and religious one. In his long narrative poem, Milton talks about the fall and redemption of man and hence this very theme is of universal appeal than the particular national themes of classical poets. The theme of Paradise Lost concerns with all humanity. Like the typical’ opening of an epic, Paradise Lost begins with the declaration of the above theme. From the very starting of the poem, we come to know that Milton intends to give his epic a more sublime status than that of his predecessors. As far as his moral purpose is concerned, it is more ambitious, sublime and comprehensive.

Greek-Mythology

The very second quality of an epic which strikes our imagination is its action. According to Aristotle’s point of view, it should be one, entire and great. From this point of view, Milton is a very successful poet because he fulfills all the set pattern dimensions of an action of a great epic. We find a unity of action in Paradise Lost, for the action of the poem. revolves round the fall of man. Milton contrives the action in : hell which is executed on earth and finally punished by Heaven. By the greatness of an action we mean that it should be great not only in its nature, but also in its time scheme which takes into account the moment before the creation of the world of the day of judgement. When we compare Milton‘s subject matter with the subject matters of Homer’s and

Virgil’s, we come to know that Milton’s subject matter is of more significance than the subject matters of Homer’s, Ilied and Virgil’s Aeneid in their nature, time scale and space. It is well acknowledged that the characters of an epic must have dignity and should be appropriate to their superior nature. We see in the Paradise Lost that the characters of Adam, Eve, Satan, the good and evil angels, Christ and God are much more dignified than the characters of Achiles, Aeness and Dido. There is no doubt in saying that the characters of Adam and Eve are especially true representatives of universal human nature.

Another very striking quality or feature of an epic is ) that an epic is a serious poem in which adventures and heroic deeds of great warriors are described. Milton’s Paradise Lost also satisfies this criterion. Though some critics had raised objections in this regard and pronounced even Satan the hero of the poem yet their objection was not on sound and solid reasons. Milton has very carefully, openly and aptly. condemned Satan’s heroism which had been based on hatred, pride, selfishness, enmity and revenge. Milton had condemned such kind of heroism and in other words, it was indirect condemnation of the traditional concepts of heroism depicted by Greek and Latin epic poets because such heroism was the outcome of pride and self-love. He has rather given a new concept of heroism through the character of Adam. This is such a kind of true heroism which is deeply rooted in Christianity as contrasted to paganism.

A great epic always gives the lesson of moral values because an epic is always a didactic and moral poem. Now, if we analyse Paradise Lost in this regard then we also come to know that it is highly grand because it is a religious moral poem which is not restricted to one period, one history or one nation or community.

Purpose-of-paradise-lost
SUBJECT OF “PARADISE LOST”

Milton had very vehemently and openly declared that his main purpose of writing Paradise Lost was to “justify the ways of God to man”.

He did so because he wanted to show the soundness, respect aptness of religion and the necessity of obedience to Divine Law. In other words, we can say that the superiority and supremacy of religion must be followed on their true contents.

An epic is a conventional poem which itself has the history of the past adventures, events and happenings. It is always carefully decorated by the description of various episodes of games, debates, battles, voyages, visits to the underworld, invocation to Muse and long speeches. Paradise Lost is such a poem which absolutely satisfies all the above mentioned conventions of an epic.

In Book-II, we see that Milton describes the debates of the fallen angels. He presents a graphic description of Satan’s voyage from Hell to Earth. As we know that the Heavenly Muse is of great importance in an epic, so Milton invokes the Heavenly Muse to help him in his great task of writing the poem. Here one thing is very worthy to note that Milton’s Muse is not one of the Nine Muses of Greek mythology. He invents a Christian Muse whose very name Urania is different from the names of the Nine Muses. She is the heavenly Muse and not the Muse who lives on Mount Olumpus. Where Classical muses belong to history, philosophy, literature, science and so on. On the contrary, Milton’s Muse is the Muse of religious poetry who inspired and affected the poets and prophets of Israel and Christianity. She is in fact, the Holy Spirit – Being of God; who would take him higher than the Aonian Mount.

It is one of the great traits of art of writing of Milton that he had an ability to mix pagan mythology with Christian theology in such a way which appealed to the readers of all the racial communities. That’s why, by mixing pagan mythology with Christian theology, Milton makes his poem grander than the classical epic poems.

As it is universally acknowledged that Milton’s Paradise Lost has its own uniqueness of its grand style which makes his long narrative poems more powerful than the other epics. Milton introduces a new style which is called the grand style by Arnold. After having presented or adopted the sublime, theme, action, characters and moral purpose, Milton was not unaware of a grand style. So Milton was compelled to invent an answerable style which should have been sufficiently elevated and sublime. As writing about sublimity, Aristotle commented that it could be achieved by the use of metaphors; by adding the idioms of other languages and by lengthening of phrases.

Milton makes the best use of all these above mentioned Aristotelian methods and employs them in the required sentences of the poem. In order to make his style of writing as a great one, in addition to these, Milton makes use of Homeric similes which uplift the level of appeal as well as the style of the poem. One of the best uses of Homeric similes is the comparison of Satan with Leviathan. The beauty and charm of this analogy lie in the underhand moral implicate Satan is as huge as Leviathan, he is as tricky and destructive as the sea animal.

Keeping all the above mentioned points in mind, now we come towards the conclusion and can say this reality vehemently and forcefully that Milton’s Paradise Lost fulfills all the set pattern requirements and demands of any great epic of English Literature as well as her literature of the world. Modern critics like C.S. Lewis and Frank Hermode consider Paradise Lost a superior kind of ‘secondary epic’ to any thing of antiquity. So, Milton had not only followed the epic for and its conventions but also expanded the scope and range of this kind of poetry. As it is acknowledged that the theme of “Paradise Lost” is of universal kind in its appeal and it is fact that no other form except an epic would have been suitable because it was an epic form in which Milton could give his poem a full fledged flow of his imagination.

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