Paradise Lost

1. Although Milton takes many ideas from the Bible, Paradise Lost includes some details that Milton creates on his own. Milton says that he will "assert Eternal Providence, And justify the ways of God to men". Unfortunately Milton will never be able to understand God and explain in his epic all that God intended, so his product resulted in some false ideas or at least some that are not biblical. In Book 1 he mentions that Satan's legions were given the names of the "idols known afterwards in Canaan and the countries adjoining" mostly saying that they serve fake gods. I believe that the Bible does not mention the names of any of "angels" that fell with Satan. For the most part Milton stretches out the Biblical account of the Fall adding more details which are manly his own ideas. Milton writes that it is Beelzebub who is next to Satan in power. This is not something that I believe the Bible mentions. The Bible doesn't mention much about Satan's fall from Heaven but throughout book 1 Milton describes Hell, Satan, and his legions in vivid detail portraying him to be powerful and almost a great warrior. Book 2 goes on saying that Satan has the option to fight back for his spot in Heaven which is definitely not what the Bible says. It seems that although the Bible makes Hell seem like a place of destruction and as a lake of fire, Milton portrays it as a place that's not so bad after all. God is the ruler of all things, even Satan, but Paradise Lost makes it sound like Satan had a chance to fight back.

2. I think Milton's purpose was not necessarily to contradict the Bible but to bring about a new idea or version that would shock its readers as well entertain as he incorporated his ideas. He wanted to be different and stand out from previously written prose and that is what he did. Some details that he incorporated seem logical and perhaps could have happened where others do not. For the most part I think reading Paradise Lost does not help one better understand the fall because it is not accurate. For people who did not or do not have a Bible to compare it to might be misled. For instance, when Satan was cast out of Heaven the Bible does not say that he was given another chance. But, Milton does show the evilness of Satan and how he wishes to destroy this new race that God has created by first tricking Adam and Eve. Some aspects of the story are interesting to read and think about. I particularly liked on page 2588 where Adam is told to give names to the animals. Milton mentions Adam does this with the knowledge God gave him. I always wondered how Adam thought up the names for animals, seeing as they are pretty strange names, but this part made me think that of course God was really the one who named them. Such small details that Milton writes can really help one think deeper into the actually true stories from the Bible. Paradise Lost may however appeal to non-Christians more than the Bible might which could be better than reading nothing at all about the differences of heaven and hell and such. It doesn't seem that the story addresses non-believers and where they stand. Perhaps it was written in hopes of helping those who are already saved.

3. In Paradise Lost Adam first states that him and Eve will be "one flash, one heart, one soul". She was made without having yet sinned and came with "innocence and virgin modesty". Adam admires her beauty in an harmless way, free of lustful desires. The beginning of Milton's story start out similar to that of the Bible's account. Adam and Eve have a relationship that is pure and sinless. The two are in charge of this garden in Paradise and everything seems perfect. However once Eve decides that the two should work separately but Adam is fearful that the enemy might come to her since she is alone. Adam gives in and let's her go showing that he is not the dominant one or head of this relationship. When Eve is tempted, despite the warning given to them she gives in. She is fascinated that the snake can talk and is flattered by his remarks. Adam then decides "through vehemence of love, to perish with her". This shows more of a romantic story than found in the Bible. Adam just decides he will perish too so he can be with Eve for he cannot imagine being alone again. It seems to not phase Adam that he is disobeying God he just decides he's so in love he can't be without her. The two are now attracted to each other out of lust amongst other things. The two argued back and forth on who had caused it "And of their vain contest appeared no end". The couples relationship before they sinned seemed wonderful, but after was turned to bickering and lust.

4. It seems that one of the main themes in Paradise Lost is the desire for obtaining knowledge. It was this desire that caused Eve to sin and give into the serpent's temptations. He tells Eve that through the fruit on the Tree of Knowledge he learned his speech and ability to reason. These abilities appealed to Eve just as they appeal to people today. People believe that the more knowledge you obtain the more successful you will become. In many cases this proves to be true but in some cases inquiring knowledge is negative. People are constantly drawn to constantly learning more and more. Some people feel that have can outsmart anyone, including God. Often times people feel on top of the world when they have attained so much knowledge and don't stop to see that knowledge is given to them from God. The theme of temptation is a contemporary issue amongst people today as it has been ever since the day of Adam and Eve. People are constantly being tricked by lies, but mainly the lie of deceit that comes straight from Satan. We are constantly being deceived and made to think that sin is not as bad as it seems. The serpent sure does make the fruit from the forbidden tree seem pretty amazing to Eve when really she knew before that it wasn't. Temptation is a part of everyday life. Even the temptation from other people such as Adam wanting to be so badly with Eve that he ate the fruit to do so. The issues that can now be seen in society are due to the Fall that Milton describes from the Bible. He shows that changes in life that occurred and have effected us ever since.