John Milton's "Paradise Lost"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that John Milton reveals his confidence in his writing in several incidences of his epic poem "Paradise Lost" by asserting in the opening lines that, although he does not have the technical skill to write about battles and games like Homer does, he can write about a "higher argument", if external circumstances allow. The author points out that, along with youth, warm climate and historical appropriateness, Milton requires the nightly inspiration of his muse in order to write. The paper proposes that, perhaps the correlation between Milton's muse and Satan, is meant to suggest that poetry is evil by causing the reader to imagine Hell and the Garden of Eden in a way that he or she never has before, just like Eve sees the tree of knowledge as a temptation for the first time in her dream.

From the Paper:

"We see Satan "Squat like a toad close at the ear of Eve (IV.800)," analyzing and attempting to manipulate "The organs of her fancy (IV.812)." By this, he means to play on Eve's naivete and desire for happiness. Since the only thing that she knows is love and joy, he will suggest to her how she can get more. He is described as "inspiring venom he might taint/ Th' animal spirits that from pure blood arise (IV.804-805)." Adam and Eve are made by the untainted hand of God, but from the moment of creation are susceptible to external influence."

More papers on John Milton's "Paradise Lost":

• Analytical Essay # 145516 : "Eve and Satan in John Milton's "Paradise Lost"
• Book Review # 110174 : "John Milton on Free-Will"
• Analytical Essay # 28216 : "Paradise Lost"
• Poem Review # 139295 : "Cultural Impact of "Paradise Lost"

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