9.6 Milton's Paradise Lost and biblical mythology

Milton's Paradise Lost blends biblical narratives with classical influences to create an epic poem of cosmic proportions. It draws from Genesis, other biblical books, and Greco-Roman epics, while incorporating Milton's personal experiences and beliefs.

The poem's structure follows epic conventions, spanning 12 books that recount the fall of Satan, creation of Earth, and temptation of Adam and Eve. It explores themes of free will, gender roles, and the nature of good and evil through its vivid characters and rich symbolism.

Origins of Paradise Lost

• Explores the foundational elements that shaped Milton's epic poem, blending biblical narratives with classical influences
• Demonstrates how personal experiences and literary traditions converge in mythological storytelling

Biblical sources

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• Draws heavily from the Book of Genesis, particularly chapters 1-3
• Incorporates narratives from other Old Testament books (Isaiah, Ezekiel)
• Utilizes New Testament references, especially from the Gospels and Revelation
• Expands on brief biblical accounts, filling narrative gaps with poetic imagination

Classical influences

• Employs epic conventions from Greco-Roman literature (Homer's Iliad, Virgil's Aeneid)
• Incorporates classical mythology references and allusions throughout the text
• Adapts Greco-Roman epic structure to a Christian narrative framework
• Utilizes classical rhetorical devices and poetic techniques

Milton's personal background

• Reflects Milton's Puritan beliefs and theological perspectives
• Incorporates themes of political rebellion, mirroring Milton's involvement in the English Civil War
• Draws on Milton's extensive education in classical languages and literature
• Influenced by Milton's personal struggles, including his blindness and political disillusionment

Structure and narrative

• Examines the architectural framework of Paradise Lost as an epic poem
• Illustrates how Milton organizes and presents his mythological narrative

Epic poem format

• Consists of 12 books, following the structure of Virgil's Aeneid
• Opens with an invocation to the Muse, a classical epic convention
• Features grand, elevated language and heroic themes
• Incorporates epic catalogues, extended similes, and supernatural elements

Books and organization

• Books 1-2: Focus on Satan and the fallen angels in Hell
• Books 3-4: Introduce God, the Son, and the heavenly realm
• Books 5-8: Depict Raphael's visit to Adam and Eve, recounting heavenly history
• Books 9-10: Narrate the temptation and fall of Adam and Eve
• Books 11-12: Present visions of human history and ultimate redemption

Narrative timeline

• Begins in medias res with Satan and his followers already cast into Hell
• Employs extensive flashbacks to recount events prior to the main narrative
• Spans from the creation of the universe to the expulsion from Eden
• Concludes with prophetic visions extending to the end of time and Christ's second coming

Major characters

• Explores the central figures in Milton's mythological cosmos
• Demonstrates how characters embody theological concepts and human nature

God vs Satan

• God: Omniscient, omnipotent creator, represents divine justice and mercy
• Satan: Fallen archangel, embodies pride, ambition, and rebellion
• Contrasts divine authority with satanic defiance and free will
• Explores the nature of good and evil through their opposing perspectives

Adam and Eve

• First human beings, created in God's image
• Adam: Represents reason, strength, and masculine qualities
• Eve: Embodies beauty, intuition, and feminine attributes
• Their relationship explores themes of love, temptation, and human fallibility

Angels and demons

• Angelic hierarchy: Includes archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael) and lesser angels
• Demonic forces: Fallen angels who followed Satan in rebellion
• Angels serve as messengers and guardians of God's will
• Demons act as tempters and adversaries to humanity

Themes and symbolism

• Analyzes the core ideas and symbolic representations in Paradise Lost
• Illustrates how Milton uses mythological elements to explore philosophical and theological concepts

Fall from grace

• Central theme of the poem, depicting humanity's transition from innocence to sin
• Symbolized by the eating of the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge
• Explores consequences of disobedience and the loss of divine favor
• Contrasts the physical fall of Satan with the moral fall of Adam and Eve

Free will vs predestination

• Examines the tension between human choice and divine foreknowledge
• God grants free will to angels and humans, allowing for the possibility of sin
• Questions the nature of true obedience if choice is predetermined
• Explores the paradox of God's omniscience and human responsibility

Gender roles and hierarchy

• Depicts a hierarchical cosmos with God at the apex, followed by angels, man, and woman
• Portrays Adam and Eve's relationship as both equal and hierarchical
• Explores the concept of "separate spheres" for male and female roles
• Raises questions about gender dynamics and power structures in biblical mythology

Biblical mythology elements

• Examines how Milton incorporates and expands upon biblical narratives
• Demonstrates the fusion of scriptural accounts with poetic imagination

Creation story

• Elaborates on the Genesis account of the world's creation in six days
• Describes the formation of the cosmos, Earth, and living creatures
• Portrays the creation of Adam and Eve as the culmination of God's work
• Incorporates scientific knowledge of Milton's time into the creation narrative

Garden of Eden

• Depicts Eden as a perfect, paradisal landscape
• Describes lush vegetation, harmonious animal life, and ideal climate
• Symbolizes the state of innocence and communion with God
• Contrasts the beauty of Eden with the desolation of Hell

Temptation and sin

• Recounts Satan's strategy to tempt Eve through the serpent
• Explores the psychology of temptation and the nature of sin
• Depicts the consequences of disobedience (shame, discord, mortality)
• Examines the concept of original sin and its impact on human nature

Literary devices

• Analyzes the poetic techniques Milton employs to enhance his mythological narrative
• Illustrates how literary devices contribute to the epic's depth and complexity

Epic similes

• Extended comparisons that elaborate on a point of similarity
• Often draw from classical mythology, nature, or contemporary knowledge
• Enhance the grandeur and scope of the narrative
• Examples include comparing Satan's shield to the moon and his spear to a tall pine

Allegory and metaphor

• Uses characters and events to represent abstract ideas or historical figures
• Sin and Death personified as allegorical characters
• Metaphorical representations of theological concepts (Light as divine wisdom)
• Political allegory drawing parallels between heavenly conflict and English Civil War

Blank verse

• Unrhymed iambic pentameter, the predominant meter of the poem
• Allows for a natural flow of language while maintaining poetic structure
• Varies rhythm and enjambment to avoid monotony
• Elevates the language to suit the epic's grand themes and characters

Critical interpretations

• Explores various scholarly approaches to understanding Paradise Lost
• Demonstrates how different perspectives illuminate the poem's complexity

Religious perspectives

• Orthodox Christian readings emphasize the poem's alignment with biblical doctrine
• Heterodox interpretations question Milton's portrayal of God and divine justice
• Examines the poem's treatment of theological concepts (Trinity, Christology)
• Explores Milton's personal religious views as reflected in the text

Feminist readings

• Analyze the portrayal of Eve and gender dynamics in the poem
• Question the hierarchical relationship between Adam and Eve
• Examine the association of femininity with sin and temptation
• Explore alternative interpretations of Eve's role and agency

Political allegory

• Interprets the heavenly war as a reflection of the English Civil War
• Views Satan as a representation of revolutionary figures or monarchs
• Examines themes of authority, rebellion, and governance
• Considers Milton's own political experiences and beliefs in shaping the narrative

Influence and legacy

• Examines the lasting impact of Paradise Lost on literature and culture
• Demonstrates how Milton's epic continues to shape mythological narratives

Impact on literature

• Influenced Romantic poets (Blake, Shelley) in their treatment of heroic rebellion
• Shaped the development of the epic genre in English literature
• Inspired numerous literary works exploring themes of fall and redemption
• Contributed to the evolution of Satan as a complex, sympathetic character in literature

Artistic representations

• Inspired visual artists (William Blake, Gustave Doré) to create iconic illustrations
• Influenced painters in depicting biblical scenes and characters
• Shaped theatrical and operatic adaptations of the Paradise Lost narrative
• Continues to inspire contemporary artists in various media

Modern adaptations

• Influences modern fantasy literature (C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy)
• Adapted into graphic novels, reimagining the epic for contemporary audiences
• Themes and characters reinterpreted in films and television series
• Concepts from Paradise Lost incorporated into popular culture and video games

Comparison to other epics

• Analyzes how Paradise Lost relates to other major epic poems
• Illustrates Milton's innovation within the epic tradition

Iliad and Odyssey

• Shares epic conventions (invocation of the Muse, grand battles, divine intervention)
• Contrasts Greek polytheism with Milton's Christian monotheism
• Adapts Homeric similes and catalogues to Christian themes
• Explores heroism differently, focusing on moral rather than martial prowess

Aeneid

• Follows Virgil's structure of 12 books
• Both epics connect national identity with cosmic purpose
• Contrasts Aeneas's journey to found Rome with Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden
• Adapts Virgil's elevated style to English verse

Beowulf

• Both epics feature supernatural antagonists and heroic quests
• Contrasts Germanic warrior ethos with Christian theology
• Adapts elements of oral tradition to a more literary form
• Explores the nature of good and evil in different cultural contexts

Language and style

• Examines Milton's linguistic and stylistic choices in crafting Paradise Lost
• Demonstrates how poetic techniques enhance the epic's mythological narrative

Poetic techniques

• Employs enjambment to create fluid, sentence-like verse
• Uses caesura for emphasis and rhythmic variation
• Incorporates alliteration and assonance for sonic effect
• Varies line length and rhythm to match content and mood

Vocabulary and diction

• Utilizes an extensive, erudite vocabulary drawn from multiple languages
• Incorporates Latinate words and syntax to elevate the style
• Coins new words and phrases to express complex concepts
• Balances elevated diction with more direct, forceful language in key moments

Rhetorical devices

• Employs apostrophe to address abstract concepts or absent figures
• Uses anaphora and other forms of repetition for emphasis
• Incorporates chiasmus and parallelism in sentence structure
• Utilizes rhetorical questions to engage the reader and explore philosophical issues