Key Facts about Paradise Lost

 Full Title: Paradise Lost : John Milton

 Published:

 First edition: 1667 (in 10 books)

 Revised edition: 1674 (in 12 books)

 Genre: Epic Poetry

 Language: English

 Verse Form: Blank verse (unrhymed iambic

pentameter)

 Structure:

 Total Books: 12 (in the 1674 edition)

 Total Lines: Over 10,000 lines

 Theme: The fall of man, free will, obedience, good vs.

evil, and redemption.

 Main Characters:

 Satan – The rebellious angel and antagonist.

 God – The omnipotent ruler of Heaven.

 Adam – The first man, created by God.

 Eve – The first woman, tempted by Satan.

 The Son (Jesus Christ) – The redeemer.

 Beelzebub, Mammon, Belial, and Moloch –

Fallen angels.

 Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Michael – Loyal to

God.
 Setting: Heaven, Hell, and Earth (Garden of Eden).

 Influences: Biblical Book of Genesis, Classical epics

(Homer’s Iliad, Virgil’s Aeneid), and Christian theology.

 Purpose: Milton states his purpose in the opening lines

—to "justify the ways of God to men."

 Famous Quotes:

 "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven." (Satan,

Book 1)

 "The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a

Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven." (Satan, Book 1)

 "Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit / Of that

forbidden tree…" (Opening lines, Book 1)

1.Significance: One of the greatest epic poems in English

literature, Paradise Lost explores profound theological
and philosophical themes.

2.Sequel: Paradise Regained (1671), which focuses on

Christ’s temptation in the wilderness.
Character Analysis
Satan
 The most complex character, Satan is a rebellious angel

who defies God and leads a failed revolt.

 He is charismatic, proud, and persuasive, famously

declaring, "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven."

 Though initially portrayed as heroic, he becomes more

corrupt, deceitful, and self-destructive as the poem

progresses.
Adam
 The first man, created by God in His image.

 He deeply loves Eve and knowingly eats the fruit,

choosing love over obedience.

 Adam undergoes repentance and ultimately accepts

God’s will.
Eve
 The first woman, created from Adam’s rib.

 She is curious and intelligent but becomes vulnerable to

Satan’s temptation.
 After sinning, she seeks forgiveness and plays an active

role in redemption.
God
 Omnipotent and omniscient, He allows free will but

enforces divine justice.

 He is both merciful and just, providing redemption

through His Son.

The Son (Jesus Christ)
 He is portrayed as God’s compassionate and self-
sacrificing savior.
 He volunteers to redeem mankind, emphasising divine

grace.
Raphael & Michael
  Raphael warns Adam about Satan’s deception.
 Michael shows Adam visions of the future, preparing him
for exile.

Summary of the Prologue of Paradise Lost

The Prologue of Paradise Lost occurs in Book 1, within the

first 26 lines of the epic. Milton follows the tradition of
classical epics, such as Homer’s Iliad and Virgil’s Aeneid, by
opening with an invocation to the Muse. However, unlike
the classical poets who invoke the Muses of Greek
mythology, Milton calls upon the Heavenly Muse, referring
to the Holy Spirit for divine inspiration.

Lines 1–5: The Subject and Purpose

"Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste
Brought death into the world, and all our woe,
With loss of Eden, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful seat,"

 Milton states the main theme: the fall of man due to

Adam and Eve’s disobedience in eating the forbidden
fruit.
 The consequence of this act is death and suffering,

which entered the world as a result of sin.

 However, he foreshadows redemption through "one

greater Man" (Jesus Christ), who will restore

mankind’s lost paradise.
 This establishes the epic's religious purpose—to
explain humanity’s fall and the hope of salvation.
Lines 6–16: Invocation to the Muse (Holy Spirit)
"Sing Heav’nly Muse, that on the secret top
Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire
That shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed
In the beginning how the Heav’ns and Earth
Rose out of Chaos; or if Sion hill
Delight thee more, and Siloa’s brook that flowed
Fast by the Oracle of God, I thence
Invoke thy aid to my adventurous song,
That with no middle flight intends to soar
Above th’ Aonian Mount, while it pursues
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme."
 Milton addresses the Holy Spirit, calling it the
“Heavenly Muse,” emphasizing that his inspiration
comes from divine authority rather than pagan
mythology.
 He references Mount Sinai and Oreb, where God

revealed the Ten Commandments to Moses, aligning

himself with biblical tradition.
 The poet asks for guidance in his ambitious task—his

poem is not just an ordinary literary work but aims to

surpass all previous epics.
 He declares that he will explore “things unattempted

yet in prose or rhyme”, signaling his originality and

the epic’s grand purpose.
Lines 17–26: Milton’s Personal Invocation and
Theological Purpose
"And chiefly thou O Spirit, that dost prefer
Before all temples th’ upright heart and pure,
Instruct me, for thou know’st; thou from the first
Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread
Dove-like sat’st brooding on the vast abyss
And mad’st it pregnant: what in me is dark
Illumine, what is low raise and support;
That to the height of this great argument
I may assert Eternal Providence,
And justify the ways of God to men."
 Milton acknowledges that true inspiration comes from

God’s Spirit, which values a pure heart over grand

temples (showing a Protestant belief in inward faith
rather than outward ritual).
 He refers to Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God

hovered over the waters before creation, reinforcing that

his poem is divinely inspired.
 He prays for illumination—asking for divine wisdom to

guide his writing.

 His central goal is to "justify the ways of God to

men," meaning he seeks to explain why God allowed

the fall of humanity and to affirm God’s justice and
providence.

Analysis of the Prologue

1.Milton’s Classical and Biblical Influences
 He follows the epic convention of invoking a Muse

but Christianizes it by addressing the Holy

Spiritinstead of a Greek deity.
 The reference to Sinai and Moses links his work to

biblical prophecy, elevating Paradise Lost beyond

mere poetry—it becomes a theological argument.
 His ambition is to surpass Homer and Virgil,
signaling that he sees his work as the greatest
epic ever written.
2.The Epic’s Religious and Philosophical Purpose
 Milton is not merely retelling Genesis; he wants to

explore God’s justice, human free will, and

redemption.
 His famous statement "justify the ways of God to

men" suggests that the poem will provide a

 defense of divine justice, aligning with Christian
theology.
 This sets up the central conflict: if God is just, why

does He allow evil and suffering?

3.Milton’s Personal Involvement
 The request for divine inspiration suggests his
humility and recognition that his task is difficult.
 His blindness (Milton was completely blind when

writing Paradise Lost) adds another layer—he

depends on spiritual rather than physical sight
to write.

Conclusion
The Prologue of Paradise Lost sets the stage for the epic by
establishing its grand theme, theological purpose, and
ambitious literary scope. Milton presents himself as a
divinely inspired poet, whose work seeks to explain the
nature of sin, free will, and divine justice. By invoking
the Holy Spirit rather than a pagan Muse, he elevates his
poem beyond mere storytelling, making it a spiritual and
philosophical inquiry into the human condition.

Summary of Paradise Lost Book 1

Total Lines: Paradise Lost Book 1 consists of 798 lines. It

introduces the main themes of the epic, including Satan’s
fall, the construction of Pandemonium, and Satan’s
determination to continue his rebellion against God.

Detailed Summary of Book 1 (Line by Line

Breakdown)

Lines 1–26: The Prologue – Invocation to the Muse

 Milton introduces the subject: the fall of man due to

Adam and Eve’s disobedience.
  He invokes the Holy Spirit, asking for guidance to
explain God’s justice.

 He declares his purpose: "justify the ways of God to

men."

Lines 27–49: The Aftermath of Satan’s Fall

 The scene shifts to Hell, where Satan and his fallen

angels lie chained in a fiery lake.

 They have been cast down from Heaven after rebelling

against God.

 Satan is in immense pain but remains defiant, refusing

to submit to God.

Lines 50–74: Satan’s First Speech – Defiance and

Pride

 Satan speaks to his lieutenant, Beelzebub,

acknowledging their defeat.

 He admits God’s power but refuses to repent or ask for

forgiveness.

 He declares, “The mind is its own place, and in

itself / Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of
Heaven.”

 His famous line: “Better to reign in Hell than serve

in Heaven.”

Lines 75–127: Beelzebub’s Response and Satan’s New

Strategy

 Beelzebub, though weaker, still supports Satan.

 He acknowledges that God is too powerful for direct

confrontation.
  Satan proposes a new kind of war—deception and
corruption.

 He wants to take revenge by ruining God’s new

creation—mankind.

Lines 128–191: Satan Rises and Calls His Followers

 Satan and Beelzebub break free from their chains and

rise from the burning lake.

 Satan summons the fallen angels, who are scattered

across Hell.

 The infernal army begins to assemble at his command.

Lines 192–270: The Fallen Angels – Catalogue of

Demons

 Milton describes the fallen angels, who were once high-

ranking angels in Heaven.

 Some of the most notable include:

 Moloch (a violent, warlike demon)

 Chemos (worshipped in Moab)

 Baal and Ashtaroth (false gods of the Canaanites)

 Mammon (symbol of greed and wealth)

 These demons later became the pagan gods of Earth.

Lines 271–330: Satan’s Second Speech – Rallying the

Troops

 Satan addresses the assembled army of Hell.

 He encourages them, saying they have suffered, but

they still have willpower and courage.
  He declares that they can make Hell their kingdom
and continue to fight against God.

Lines 331–375: Pandemonium – The Palace of Hell

 Satan orders the demons to begin constructing

Pandemonium, their capital city.

 The demons use their supernatural abilities to build a

magnificent palace.

 The palace is described as a parody of Heaven’s

grandeur.

Lines 376–521: The Army of Hell Gathers

 The fallen angels march into Pandemonium, appearing

as giant warriors.

 As they enter, they shrink to fit inside the vast hall.

 Milton compares them to mythical armies, including the

Greeks and Trojans.

 The scene resembles a grand war council.

Lines 522–621: Satan’s Third Speech – The War

Strategy

 Seated on his infernal throne, Satan addresses the

council.

 He proposes a subtle and indirect war rather than

open battle.

 He hints at corrupting God’s new creation—

mankind as their next move.

Lines 622–669: The Infernal Council

  The demons begin discussing different strategies for
their rebellion.

 Some suggest rebuilding their strength, while others

agree with Satan’s plan.

 The idea of deception and corruption takes center

stage.

Lines 670–798: The Book Ends – The Council Adjourns

 The fallen angels praise Satan for his leadership.

 The meeting ends, and the demons prepare for their

next move.

 The book closes with Satan standing as a proud

leader, ready to continue his war against God.

Key Themes in Book 1

1.The Nature of Satan

 Satan is depicted as a tragic hero—once glorious,

now fallen.

 He refuses to submit, showing both pride and

resilience.

 His famous quote, “Better to reign in Hell than

serve in Heaven,” defines his mindset.

2.Good vs. Evil

 Milton portrays a clear cosmic struggle between

divine justice and rebellion.

 Satan and his followers symbolise pride, ambition,

and defiance.
 3.Leadership and Persuasion

 Satan is a master manipulator, able to rally his

followers despite their defeat.

 His speeches are designed to inspire hope and

determination.

4.The Power of Free Will

 Satan and the fallen angels have free will but

choose rebellion.

 This reflects Milton’s belief in the importance of

choice and consequence.

5.The Grand Scale of the Epic

 Milton’s descriptions of Hell, the demons, and

Pandemonium show his ambition to surpass
previous epics.

 He references classical mythology, biblical

stories, and historical events to give the poem
depth and richness.

Conclusion

Book 1 of Paradise Lost sets the foundation for the entire

epic. It introduces Satan as a complex and charismatic
leader, shows the aftermath of the rebellion, and presents
the fallen angels plotting their revenge. The grandeur of
Pandemonium and the speeches of Satan elevate the
conflict beyond just a religious tale—it becomes a
philosophical discussion on power, free will, and
rebellion.