Paradise Lost
By John Milton
Notes:
• Written by John Milton ( 1608-1674), an
English Poet, in 1667 ( age of
Enlightenment).
• One of the few writers to attain a degree
from Cambridge College and work toward
his Master’s degree
• Studied to be a priest
• Paradise Lost- an epic poem consisting of
10,000 lines and written in blank verse or
the use of (un-rhyming poetry).
• Introduces the “ Satanic Hero” an
archetype that makes Satan like an Epic
Hero.
• The poem is divided into 12 books.
• Milton was blind when he wrote it.
• Book 1:In a long, twisting opening sentence
mirroring the epic poetry of the Ancient Greeks,
the poet invokes the "Heavenly Muse" (the Holy
Spirit) and states his theme, the Fall of Man, and
his aim, to "justify the ways of God to men."[4]
Satan, Beelzebub, and the other rebel angels
are described as lying on a lake of fire, from
where Satan rises up to claim hell as his own
domain and delivers a rousing speech to his
followers ("Better to reign in hell, than serve in
heav'n").
• Books 2-12 go on to describe the journey
that Satan takes to try and “stain” God’s
creation of Man and Earth. If he can taint
that, he can somehow hurt God.
• Milton’s description of Lucifer is beautiful
because it takes time for him to turn into
Satan ( or Enemy)
Background to the War in Heaven
• Lucifer means “ The Light-bearer”
• Most beloved of all Angels. Wanted to be
a god, not the God. Convinces a 1/3 of the
Angels to rebel with him. He was able to
do this because God left a 1/3 of Angels
without a certain Grace to prevent them
from falling as a test.
• Lucifer commits the greatest of all sins:
Pride. Asking, “ Why not I?”
• He then uses his “ silver tongue” to
convince others to join him turning some
of the most powerful Angels in Heaven
against God.
The Three classes of Angels
• Seraphim: Includes the Archangels
( Raphael, Michael, Gabriel, and at one
time, Lucifer)
Cheribum ( like the ones that are painted
that look like babies)
Dominations (spirits)
• Milton’s work is important to literature
because he did what the Catholic church
in England wanted him to do- bring back
man to the ways of God.
Miltonic Universe
The earth
here is
hanging
by a golden
chain, with
Heaven on
top and hell
on the bottom