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Paradise Lost


Synopsis


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'Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste
Brought death into the world...
Sing heavenly muse'

From almost the moment of its first publication in 1667, Paradise Lost was considered a classic. It is difficult now to appreciate both how audacious an undertaking it represents, and how astonishing its immediate and continued success was. Over the course of twelve books Milton wrote an epic poem that would 'justify the ways of God to men', a mission that required a complex drama whose source is both historical and deeply personal. The struggle for ascendancy between God and Satan is played out across hell, heaven, and earth but the consequences of the Fall are all too humanly tragic - pride, ambition, and aspiration the motivating forces.

In this new edition derived from their acclaimed Oxford Authors text, Stephen Orgel and Jonathan Goldberg discuss the complexity of Milton's poem in a new introduction, and on-page notes explain its language and allusions.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

John Milton, Stephen Orgel, Jonathan Goldberg

Summary

Book I

* Introduces Satan as the fallen angel who is cast out of Heaven after leading a revolt against God.
* Satan and his followers gather in Hell, where they plot to take revenge on God and humanity.
* The fallen angels create a new kingdom in Hell, called Pandemonium.

Example:

Satan rallies his followers in Hell, inspiring them to fight against God:

"What though the field be lost? All is not lost;
The unconquerable will, and study of revenge,
Immortal hate, and courage never to submit or yield..."

Book II

* Satan journeys to Earth and enters the Garden of Eden, where he takes the form of a serpent.
* He tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, promising her that she will become like God.
* Eve gives the fruit to Adam, and both are cast out of Eden.

Example:

Satan disguises himself as a serpent and approaches Eve:

"So saying, with lifted trunk, he stood on end:
At his full height. His eyes, that sparkling blazed,
With inward fires, illumined all the air;
His tongue, armed with deadly sting, made up of subtlest guile..."

Book III

* God sends his Son, Jesus Christ, to Earth to redeem humanity for their sin.
* Christ is crucified and resurrected, defeating Satan and his forces.
* The fallen angels are cast back into Hell.

Example:

Jesus confronts Satan in Hell:

"Thy pride and thy ambition shall be laid
Low as the centre of this nether deep;
And thus the Son shall crush his cursed head..."

Book IV

* Adam and Eve are exiled to Earth, where they face hardship and danger.
* They eventually repent of their sin and are reconciled with God.
* The Archangel Michael visits them and prophesies the coming of Christ.

Example:

Adam confesses his sin to God:

"Thus I have heard, and thus believe not only
The tenor, but the full consent, of things;
Which heaven hath thought, and thy eternal will..."

Book V

* Raphael, another archangel, visits Adam and Eve and tells them the story of the war in Heaven.
* Eve is created from Adam's rib, and the two are reunited.
* God warns them about the dangers of temptation and the importance of remaining faithful.

Example:

Raphael describes the battle in Heaven:

"Now had they fought their way, with furious force,
And disruptive rage, into the fortieth Heaven;
They would have kept the field, and Heaven itself,
Their victor's prize, if their courage had not ceased..."

Book VI

* Satan disguised himself as an angel of light and tempts Christ in the wilderness.
* Christ rebuffs all of Satan's temptations, showing his strength and power.
* The angels celebrate Christ's victory over Satan.

Example:

Satan offers Christ power and dominion over the world:

"All this I give thee, sit thou here and see
The glory and the grandeur of the earth;
Thy reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Become my Son, and make thy choice."