Why is Satan cast out of heaven?
Before the events of the poem, Satan sought retaliation against God the Father,
believing that he deserved a position of authority at the right hand of God the Father, or
even one equal to him. After God the Father announced that he had begotten a son,
Satan attempted to lead in heaven, building a throne and gaining the support of one-
third of Heaven’s angels. Their attempted rebellion to overthrow God did not last,
however, resulting in Satan and the rebel angels being ultimately banished and cast into
Hell.
How is Satan characterized in Paradise Lost?
Satan is given a multi-faceted array of complexity in the poem to the point where he
feels more akin to a fleshed out human amidst two-dimensional archetypes. Indeed,
with characters like Adam and Eve serving more as representations of humankind, and
with the supposedly pure goodness in God the Father and God the Sun, Satan is a far
more fully realized, enriched and flawed character. Rather than characterizing him as a
force of pure malevolence who threatens to destroy all that stands for love and
goodness, Milton makes a philosopher out of Satan, one who dares to question the
agreed-upon lies or social constructs that have kept so many angels in line. While he is
not rendered purely as a hero or villain, the character is crafted so that the reader’s
empathizes with him from the start.
Why do Adam and Eve eat the fruit?
Satan, in the form of a serpent, first coerces Eve into eating the fruit by showering her
with praise, and then temptation. Supposedly, he achieved the ability to speak by eating
from the Tree of Knowledge, which also prompted him to go looking for her. It is notable
that he is able to sell Eve on eating from the Tree of Knowledge by not only
manipulating her into thinking that God wants her to ultimately become independent, but
also by emphasizing the deliciousness of the apple itself, a very human temptation.
After eating the fruit, Eve finds Adam and tells him what she has done. Both cannot
imagine a life without the other, or without living on equal terms, which causes Adam to
eat the fruit too.
Why is Satan transformed into a serpent?
After Adam and Eve eat of the fruit, God the Son bemoans all serpents, damning them
from ever standing upright again, forced now to move on their bellies. He also decrees
that humans will forever be hostile to snakes, and vice versa. Satan flies back to Hell to
boast of his victory to his followers. Once he declares that humankind has been
successfully corrupted, the rebel angels’ cheers change to hisses, and they are
transformed into snakes themselves, along with Satan. Manifestations of trees appear
that produce fruit that turns into dust when the serpents try to eat from it. It is clear now
that God the Son’s condemnations affect the rebel angels too, forced into the shame
and punishment that they have inflicted on the humans.
What is Satan’s plan?
In Hell, Satan’s second-in-command Beezelbub challenges Satan’s plan to strike back
against God, convinced that he has become too powerful. Satan proposes an idea:
rather than destroying God’s creations they would corrupt them, causing these creations
to bring about their own destruction. Having heard the rumors of God’s newest and
most cherished creation, humankind, Satan decides to leave Hell to spy on them and
learn how they can be perverted. Once he is able to infiltrate the Garden of Eden, taking
the form of a serpent, he not only persuades Eve to disobey God the Father’s orders,
but he also manipulates her into believing that she and Adam are depriving themselves
of living their fullest lives, which God supposedly wants. Once Eve eats the fruit, Adam
follows suit, and Satan views his plan as a success.
why Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise in the
paradise lost
In John Milton's Paradise Lost, Adam and Eve's expulsion from Paradise happens because they
commit two main sins:
1. Disobedience: God had forbidden them from eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.
By succumbing to temptation and eating the fruit, they disobeyed God's direct command.
2. Loss of Innocence: The fruit of the Tree of Knowledge was symbolic. By eating it,
Adam and Eve gained knowledge of good and evil, but they also lost their innocence.
This new-found awareness brought shame and a sense of mortality.
Here's a breakdown of the events leading to their expulsion:
● Temptation: Satan, disguised as a serpent, tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. He
plays on her curiosity and desire for knowledge.
● Eve's Fall: Eve succumbs to temptation and eats the fruit. She then shares it with
Adam.
● Consequences: After eating the fruit, Adam and Eve become aware of their nakedness
and feel shame. They try to hide from God.
● Judgment: God confronts Adam and Eve, revealing their transgression. He pronounces
judgment, including their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.
Here are some additional points to consider:
● Severity of the Punishment: The severity of their punishment, expulsion from
Paradise, reflects the seriousness of their sin in God's eyes. Disobeying him and losing
their innocence has consequences.
● Impact on Humanity: Adam and Eve's actions have consequences for all of humanity.
They are cast out of Paradise, and sin and death enter the world.
● Milton's Purpose: Milton's portrayal of the fall of man is complex. He explores themes
of free will, temptation, and the consequences of disobedience.
Overall, Adam and Eve's expulsion from Paradise in Paradise Lost is a consequence of their
disobedience and the loss of innocence they experience after eating the forbidden fruit. It's a
pivotal moment in the poem with lasting consequences for humanity.
Critical Appreciation of Paradise Lost (Lines 1-126)
John Milton wastes no time in Paradise Lost. The first 126 lines are like a powerful spotlight illuminating
the entire poem. Let's see why they're so important.
First, Milton tells us right away this is a big deal. He uses fancy language, referencing epic poems like the
Iliad, to show us this story is super important. He even asks a heavenly muse for help, just like those
famous ancient poets.
But Milton has a twist. He wants to explain why God does what He does – a question that's been
puzzling people for ages. This makes Paradise Lost more than just a fight story; it's about faith and
figuring things out.
There's a catch, though. Milton says only a special kind of reader, a "fit audience though few," will truly
understand. This makes us even more curious – what exactly is he going to tell us?
By the end of these 126 lines, Milton has us hooked. He's established the epic scale, introduced the big
question of why bad things happen, and hinted at some surprising twists. We're left wanting more,
eager to dive deeper into this story of Paradise Lost.
Critical Appreciation
John Milton Paradise Lost isn't just a poem,it's a masterpiece that retells the story of Adam and
Eve in a way that's both grand and thought-provoking.
Epic Scope: Milton borrows from the epic tradition, using grand characters, settings, and
themes. He paints a picture of Heaven, Hell, and Earth, with battles between angels and the
fallen Satan. This vastness makes the story feel incredibly important.He uses fancy language,
referencing epic poems like the Iliad, to show us this story is super important. He even asks a heavenly
muse for help, just like those famous ancient poets.
Character Development: Milton doesn't just tell us what characters are like, he shows us. We
see Satan's pride and bitterness, Eve's curiosity and desire for knowledge, and Adam's love and
loyalty. Their struggles feel real, making us invested in their choices.
Free Will vs. Fate: A big question is whether Adam and Eve's actions were predetermined by
God or a result of their own free will. Milton explores both sides, making us contemplate the
nature of choice and responsibility.But Milton has a twist. He wants to explain why God does what
He does – a question that's been puzzling people for ages. This makes Paradise Lost more than just a
fight story; it's about faith and figuring things out.
There's a catch, though. Milton says only a special kind of reader, a "fit audience though few," will truly
understand. This makes us even more curious – what exactly is he going to tell us?
Then, things get interesting. Milton mentions the serpent who tempted Adam and Eve. But instead of
blaming them entirely, he hints that the serpent acted out of jealousy. This throws a wrench into things.
Were Adam and Eve really to blame, or was there more to the story?
The Price of Knowledge: Eating the forbidden fruit is all about gaining knowledge, but Milton
shows the consequences. Knowledge can come with a heavy price, like the loss of innocence
and the introduction of suffering into the world.
Beautiful Language: Milton use of blank verse, a specific rhyme scheme, creates a powerful and
rhythmic flow. He also uses rich imagery to paint vivid pictures in our minds, making the
reading experience beautiful and engaging.
Theodicy and Justification: This fancy term basically means explaining why a good God allows
bad things to happen. Milton tries to justify God's actions, arguing that even the fall of
humanity is part of a larger, ultimately good, plan.
Legacy: Paradise Lost has influenced countless writers and thinkers. It tackles timeless themes
of good versus evil, obedience versus rebellion, and the human condition. It's a poem that
continues to spark discussions and inspire readers centuries after it was written.
Of course, there are criticisms of the poem as well, like its portrayal of women or its justification
of God's actions. But its strengths far outweigh these points, solidifying Paradise Lost as a
cornerstone of English literature.
