Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost is an epic poem by the English poet John Milton, first published in 1667. Written in blank verse, the work retells the biblical story of the Fall of Man, encompassing the rebellion of Satan in Heaven, the creation of the world, and the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Its profound exploration of themes like free will, obedience, and the nature of evil has cemented its status as a cornerstone of English literature and a seminal work of the Western canon.

Overview

The poem is structured in twelve books, a format later adopted for its second edition, and employs a grand, Latinate style heavily influenced by classical epics like Virgil's Aeneid and Homer's Iliad. Milton’s stated aim was to "justify the ways of God to men," grappling with theodicy through a complex narrative that gives surprising depth to its characters, particularly the figure of Satan. Composed after Milton had become completely blind, the work was dictated to amanuenses including his daughters. Its publication was a significant event in the Restoration period, following the author’s political eclipse after the fall of the Commonwealth of England.

Synopsis

The narrative opens in media res with Satan and his fallen angelic host, including Beelzebub and Mammon, lying defeated in the fiery lake of Hell after their failed war against God. Rallying his forces, Satan travels through Chaos to the newly created Earth, where he targets God’s latest creation: humanity. In Heaven, God foretells humanity’s fall, and the Son offers himself as a ransom for man’s disobedience. The poem then details, through the archangel Raphael, the story of the War in Heaven and the creation of the universe to Adam. The climax occurs as Satan, having entered Eden in the form of a serpent, tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil; Adam subsequently chooses to join her in disobedience. The poem concludes with the archangel Michael showing Adam a vision of future human history up to the Great Flood and the eventual redemption through the Messiah, before exiling the pair from Paradise.

Themes and interpretation

Central to the work is the conflict between predestination and free will, as Milton seeks to reconcile omnipotence with human autonomy and the existence of evil. The character of Satan, often read as a tragic, Promethean figure, has sparked centuries of debate, with critics like William Blake famously noting that Milton was "of the Devil's party without knowing it." Other major themes include the hierarchy of creation, the nature of sin and death, and the ideal of marriage as a partnership, explored through the relationship between Adam and Eve. The poem also reflects Milton’s deep engagement with Reformation theology and his radical political views, shaped by his service under Oliver Cromwell.

Composition and publication history

Milton began work on the poem around 1658, completing it by 1664. The first edition, published in 1667 by printer Samuel Simmons, consisted of ten books. A revised second edition, reorganizing the text into the now-standard twelve books and adding other minor changes, was published in 1674. The initial printing contract, preserved in the British Library, granted Milton a £5 advance. Following the Great Fire of London, the epic’s popularity grew significantly. Milton also composed a sequel, Paradise Regained, and the tragedy Samson Agonistes, both published together in 1671.

Literary significance and legacy

The poem’s influence on subsequent literature and culture is immense. It profoundly shaped the Romantic movement, inspiring works by William Wordsworth, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Lord Byron. Its cosmological scope and psychological depth influenced later epic writers, including the novelists Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) and Philip Pullman (His Dark Materials). The poem has been adapted into numerous other media, including orchestral works by Franz Liszt and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, an opera by Krzysztof Penderecki, and several major films. It remains a pivotal text for the study of English poetry, theology, and the development of the English language itself.

Category:1667 poems Category:English epic poems Category:Christian poetry