"Paradise Lost"

Poem Review # 108294

English > Analysis
Literature > Poetry

"Paradise Lost"

An analysis of the theological elements in John Milton's "Paradise Lost".

1,124 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2008 South Africa

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how there are strong theological elements in Milton's "Paradise Lost", mainly, because it is the story of how humankind came to be and how we fell into sin. In particular, the paper discusses how the epic simile in 'Paradise Lost' is an excellent way for us to get to know Satan and how the story of Satan being banished from heaven is the epitome of the moral struggle between good and evil in the universe. While we are still on earth we will not get the answers we need to validate our faith.

From the Paper:

"Theology is an important part of 'Paradise lost". One of the first themes that we come across in the poem is mans first disobedience against God. "Of Man's first disobedience, and the fruit of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste brought death into the world, and all our woe." (Milton, Paradise Lost, Book I, line 1) Milton tells the story of Adam and Eve in the context of Satan trying to defeat God and human kind. Satan was the first of God's creations to to disobey him. Humankind's disobedience is a corruption of God's hierarchy. Adam and Eve respect the angels and God wholeheartedly before being corrupted by the serpent. Eve was less close to God, because she was created to serve God and Adam. When the Son and good angels defeat the rebel angels they are banished away from heaven to another realm in order to serve Satan."

Sample of Sources Used:

Commentaries on Book I by Michael Williams, Reading Classics, only study guide for ENN314Q, 2008, University of South Africa, Pretoria
John Milton, 'Paradise lost', 2000, edited by John Leonard, London: Penguin Books
www.sparknotes.com
www.wikipedia.org