John Milton

Paradise Lost – was published in 1667 Genre- Epic poem An Epic Poem's a lengthy, revered

narrative poem about some fictional or nonfictional great or heroic deed. It may also be a parody on something or somebody, written in an epic fashion.

Protagonist- Adam & Eve

Milton's story has two narrative arcs: one is of Satan (Lucifer) and the other is of Adam and Eve. It begins after Satan and the other rebel angels have been defeated and banished to Hell, or, as it is also called in the poem, Tartarus. In Pandæmonium, Satan employs his rhetorical skill to organize his followers; he is aided by Mammon and Beelzebub. Belial and Moloch are also present. At the end of the debate, Satan volunteers to poison the newly created Earth and God's new and most favoured creation, Mankind.

In the mid-seventeenth century, John Milton was a successful poet and political activist. He wrote scathing pamphlets against corruption in the Anglican Church and its ties to King Charles. In Milton’s day Puritanism meant having politically radical views. And at one point Milton was actually jailed for recording them on paper. Paradise Lost, as much as anything, is a series of arguments put forth by the characters, which in turn ultimately expresses Milton’s personal truth. It is, in that sense, a Puritanical work.

Milton had contemplated the composition of an epic poem for many years. For his subject matter he chose the fundamentals of Christian theology. By the time he began writing Paradise Lost in the late 1650’s, Milton had become blind. He dictated the entire work to secretaries.

When I consider how my light is spentEre half my days in this dark world and wide,And that one talent which is death to hideLodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bentTo serve therewith my Maker, and presentMy true account, lest he returning chide,"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"I fondly ask. But Patience, to preventThat murmur, soon replies: "God doth not needEither man's work or his own gifts: who bestBear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His stateIs kingly; thousands at his bidding speedAnd post o'er land and ocean without rest:They also serve who only stand and wait." 

John Milton

“It is not miserable to be blind; it is miserable to be incapable of enduring blindness.” -John Milton

SIN

DEATH

CHAOS

The being who personifies the infinity of uncreated matter between Heaven, Hell, and our universe. Chaos resents God’s intrusion on his domain by creating the new world, and cheers Satan on in his quest to destroy it.

Think about these two age-old questions and how they are related:

Why does evil exist?

If there is a merciful God, why does he allow so much human suffering?

The Bible says that Satan was created by God as a cherub, the most powerful of God's angelic beings.Some time after his creation and before the creation of mankind, Satan rebelled against God and took one third of the angels (now referred to as demons) with him into rebellion.

Satan wasn't finished in his rebellion against God. Satan took on the form of a snake in the garden of Eden to tempt Eve.

He managed to convince Eve that God's instructions against eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil were done as a way of keeping something good from her. She believed Satan's lie that she would "become like God."We don't know where Adam was at the time of Satan's temptation, but he followed his wife's lead and also disobeyed God's instructions.

The Lord has shown me that Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Jesus Christ.  His countenance was mild, expressive of happiness like the other angels.  His forehead was high and broad, and showed great intelligence.  His form was perfect.  He had noble, majestic bearing. 

And I saw that when God said to his Son, Let us make man in our image, Satan was jealous of Jesus.  He wished to be consulted concerning the formation of man.  He was filled with envy, jealousy and hatred.  He wished to be the highest in heaven, next to God, and receive the highest honors.  Until this time all heaven was in order, harmony and perfect subjection to the government of God.

Abdiel  Gabriel  Ithuriel  Michael  Raphael  Urania 

Uriel  Uzziel 

Zephon  Zophiel 

Adonis (or Thammuz) 

Adramelec  Ariel  Arioc  Ashtaroth  Asmadai  Astoreth  Azazel  Baalim  Beelzebub 

Belial  Chemos  Dagon  Lucifer  Mammon  Moloch  Mulciber  Nisroch  Ramiel  Rimmon  Satan 

In the book of Revelation Satan is described as having 7 heads and 10 horns. In Revelation 12 he is called the dragon with 7 heads and 10 horns. In Revelation 13 and 17 he is called the beast with 7 heads and 10 horns. In each case the Bible is describing the same being. Whenever you see a creature in the Bible with 7 heads and 10 horns you can know immediately that it is talking about Satan.

Invocation and introduction of poem's theme

An account of Satan's revolt and expulsion from Heaven

Dialogue between Satan and Beelzebub The other devils' rallying around Satan -

the demonic host listed Satan's speech to the legions (about the

creation of man) The building of Pandemonium

“Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruitOf that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste

Brought death into the world, and, all our woe,With the loss of Eden, till one greater Man

Restore us, and regain the blissful seat,(1-5) refers to original sin of Adam and Eve

brought humans death for the first time

His poem will be better than all other classical writings

Reason for writing “And justify the ways of God to men” (26).

Why God permits humans to suffer and die His poem will tell of the epic battle between

God and Lucifer

“Say first, for Heaven hides nothing from thy view,

Nor the deep tract of Hell, say first what causeMoved our grand parents in that happy state,Favored of Heaven so highly, to fall offFrom their Creator, and transgress his willFor one restraint” (27-32).

God saw the transgression of Adam and Eve Questions how this came about

“Who first seduced them to that foul revolt?The infernal Serpent, he who was, whose guile,

Stirred up with envy and revenge, deceived The mother of mankind, what time his prideHad cast him out from Heaven, with his host

Of rebel angels…” (33-38).

Satan corrupted God’s plan out of vengeance God allows evil to exist in order that good may arise

from it Satan thrown out of Heaven by God He is to blame for original sin

God's only commandment to Adam and Eve in the beginning was not to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, which would impart knowledge of good and evil that would eliminate their innocence--innocence not entirely different from the innocence of small children and animals, who have no understanding of good and evil.

Satan argued that without knowing evil, how can you know how to avoid it? or how to enjoy what is good, not knowing what is good?

He wanted to be like God Rebelled and was punished

“To set himself in glory above his peers,He trusted to have equaled the Most High, If he opposed; and with ambitious aimAgainst the throne and monarchy of God, Raised impious was in Heaven and battle

proud With vain attempt.”(39-44)

The book of Job tells us that, for a time at least, Satan still had access to heaven and to the throne of God. “One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, ’Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the LORD, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it’” (Job 1:6-7 ). Apparently at that time, Satan was still moving freely between heaven and earth, speaking to God directly and answering for his activities. At what point God discontinued this access is unknown. 

Why did Satan fall from heaven? Satan fell because of pride. He desired to be God, not to be a servant of God. Notice the many “I will...” statements in Isaiah 14:12-15 . Ezekiel 28:12-15  describes Satan as an exceedingly beautiful angel. Satan was likely the highest of all angels, the most beautiful of all of God's creations, but he was not content in his position. Instead, Satan desired to be God, to essentially “kick God off His throne” and take over the rule of the universe. Satan wanted to be God, and interestingly enough, that is what

Satan tempted Adam and Eve with in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5 ). How did Satan fall from heaven? Actually, a fall is not an accurate description. It would be far more accurate to say God cast Satan out of heaven (Isaiah 14:15 ; Ezekiel 28:16-17 ). Satan did not fall from heaven; rather, Satan was pushed out of heaven.

Consider that Adam is the animus and Eve is the anima. The garden of Eden is the inner sanctum. Adam is made from the breath of God or Grace. Sometimes referred to as the "Kiss of God." The snake represents the upsurge of Passion or Kundalini. However, neither Adam or Eve have completed strengthening their primary characteristics. So, instead of being enlightened, they have caused a mixing of matter and anti-matter which causes Eden to be annihilated and the couple to be thrown out. In order for Adam/animus to find salvation, He must work for his bread(Grace). Her salvation is not found in the same way that Adam does, she is warned that she will suffer great pains of child birth(Killing ego, or being initiated)

Milton uses darkness and imagery to indicate the horridness of Hell “fiery gulf (52) “dungeon horrible” (61) “No light, but rather darkness visible” (63) “discover sights of woe” (64)

“He soon discerns, and weltering by his sideOne next himself in power, and next in crime,Long after known in Palestine, and namedBeelzebub” (78-81).

Second in power under Satan

“…so much the stronger provedHe with his thunder; and till then who knewThe force of those of those dire arms?” (92-94).

Did not realize the strength and power of God

“the unconquerable will,And study of revenge, immortal hate,And courage never to submit or yield:And what is else not to be overcome?”

(106-109)

Driving force for Satan God was upset by the battle- he was

uncertain about the outcome

Will wage war against God’s tyranny God in heaven rejoicing Take action once again

Doubtful Can we overpower God and his

supremacy? Realizes the horridness of their situation

Questions if they are still slaves of God’s Their punishment in hell is to do God’s

bidding in hell

“to be weak is miserable” (157) “To do aught good never will be our task,But ever to do ill our sole delightAs being the contrary to his high will Whom we resist” (158-162).

Only commit deeds of evil God cannot control that His evil will equal God’s goodness

“…this is the seat That we must change for Heaven, this mournful gloomFor that celestial light? Be it so, since he Who now is sovereign can dispose and bidWhat shall be right: farthest from him is best,Whom reason hath equaled, force hath made supremeAbove his equals.” (243-249)

Accepts his new placement and wants to reign sovereign Happy to have his own kingdom to rule Proves he is God’s equal Pride “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven” (263) Eager to rally his forces- needs support to rebel against God

Something in the poem is compared to something quite outside the poem Compares Satan to Titans and Greeks from

mythology (196-208) Compares his landing to smashing of a hill or

volcano which create an explosive force (230-237)

“If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath.”

Revelation 14:9,10

There is a Bible prophecy that tells us how long God will allow this world of sin to continue. There is a limit to God's patience with sin and this limit will be reached in the fall of 2015. Read a summary of the Bible evidence that the end of the world will come in 2015.

1.Worldwide earthquake “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the

altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” Revelation 8:5

Then comes the 4 Trumpets of Hell 1.Trumpet 1 – Shower of meteorites “The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed,

mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.” Revelation 8:7

2.Trumpet 2 – A meteor will fall into the ocean “Then the second angel sounded: And something like a great

mountain burning with fire was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. And a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.” Revelation 8:8,9

3.Trumpet 3 – An asteroid falls upon the earth “Then the third angel sounded: And a great star fell from

heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many men died from the water, because it was made bitter.” Revelation 8:10,11

4.Trumpet 4 – Darkness “Then the fourth angel sounded: And a third of the sun

was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them were darkened. A third of the day did not shine, and likewise the night.” Revelation 8:12

THE BEAST ARRIVES?

Critics and writers such as William Blake and Percy Bysshe Shelley believed Satan to be the hero of Paradise Lost. Yet the problems inherent in viewing Satan as a hero have led modern critics to reject this idea. As Lewalski writes, "by measuring Satan against the heroic standards, we become conscious of the inadequacy and fragility of all the heroic virtues celebrated in literature, of the susceptibility of them all to demonic perversion"