Lecture Notes: Paradise Lost by John Milton

Introduction

• Paradise Lost is an narrative epic poem written by John Milton in 1667.
• Milton was a Protestant leader writing in exile from King Charles II.
• The poem is set apart by being one of the first significant English epic poems and its distinctly Christian perspective.
• The narrative is told from Satan's perspective, focusing on the fall of man and the expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

Key Themes and Ideas

• The humanization of the devil: Milton's work is renowned for presenting Satan as a complex character.
• The concept of free will and its relation to divine justice and love.
• The symbolic representation of hell and its inhabitants.
• The depiction of pivotal biblical moments and what-if scenarios, especially regarding creation and the fall.
• The role of sin and redemption in human history.

Structure and Characters

• God and Jesus: The omnipotent creators who allow free will for humanity.
• Satan: Once a high-ranking angel, he rebels against God due to jealousy and pride, becomes the adversary.
• Adam and Eve: The first humans whose fall from grace is central to the narrative.
• Archangels: Including Uriel, Raphael, and Michael, who are pivotal in the heavenly narrative.
• Sin and Death: Personified characters who represent the consequences of Satan's actions.

Plot Overview

Satan's Fall and Rebellion

• Begins with Satan and his followers cast out from heaven into hell after their failed rebellion.
• In hell, Satan rallies his followers and plans to corrupt God's new creation: humanity.
• Satan's journey through chaos towards Earth to enact his plan.

The Temptation of Adam and Eve

• Satan enters Eden disguised as a serpent.
• He tempts Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge.
• Eve succumbs to the temptation, leading to the fall of man.
• Adam, out of love for Eve, also eats the fruit.

Consequences and Redemption

• The fall leads to humanity's banishment from Eden.
• God foretells future redemption through the coming of Jesus.
• Adam and Eve gain knowledge of good and evil and experience shame and guilt.
• They are given hope through prophetic visions of humanity’s future, including salvation.

Themes and Analysis

Free Will and Predestination

• The story emphasizes the importance of free will in experiencing true love and devotion.
• God allows events to unfold to preserve human choice.

The Nature of Sin and Redemption

• Sin is depicted as a perversion of divine love and order.
• Redemption is framed as a return to divine grace through sacrifice (foreshadowed by Jesus).

Satan's Character Arc

• Satan is shown as a tragic figure, persistent in his rebellion but increasingly aware of his own misery.
• His transformation from a majestic angel to a deceitful serpent mirrors his moral degradation.

Imagery and Symbolism

• The Garden of Eden as an idyllic setting destroyed by sin.
• The transformation of angels into demons as a symbolic descent.

Influence and Legacy

• Paradise Lost remains a significant work in English literature, influencing countless interpretations and adaptations.
• The narrative explores deep philosophical and theological questions regarding human nature, free will, and divine justice.

Conclusion

• Milton's narrative ends with Adam and Eve leaving Eden, carrying hope for future redemption.
• The poem suggests a continual struggle between sin and divine grace, with ultimate redemption promised through Jesus Christ.