Paradise Lost , Epic poem in blank verse, one of the late works by John Milton, originally issued in 10 books in 1667 and, with books 7 and 10 each split into two parts , published in 12 books in the second edition of 1674.
Many scholars consider Paradise Lost to be one of the greatest poems in the English language . It tells the biblical story of the fall from grace of Adam and Eve in language that is a supreme achievement of rhythm and sound . The 12 books structure , the technique of beginning in medias res, the invocation of the muse, and the use of the Epic question are all classically inspired. The subject matter , however , is distinctly Christian .
Summary :
With Raphael’s departure for Heaven, the story no longer consists of conversations between heavenly beings and humankind. Milton explains that he must now turn to Adam and Eve’s actual act of disobedience. The poem must now turn tragic, and Milton asserts his intention to show that the fall of humankind is more heroic than the tales of Virgil and Homer. He invokes Urania, the “Celestial Patroness” (IX.21) and muse of Christian inspiration, and asks for her to visit him in his sleep and inspire his words, because he fears he is too old and lacks the creative powers to accomplish the task himself. He hopes not to get caught up in the description of unimportant items, as Virgil and Homer did, and to remain focused on his ultimate and divine task.
Satan returns to the Garden of Eden the night after Raphael’s departure. Satan’s return comes eight days after he was caught and banished by Gabriel. He sneaks in over the wall, avoiding Gabriel and the other guards. After studying all the animals of the Garden, Satan considers what disguise he should assume, and chooses to become a snake. Before he can continue, however, he again hesitates—not because of doubt this time, but because of his grief at not being able to enjoy this wondrous new world. He struggles to control his thoughts. He now believes that the Earth is more beautiful than Heaven ever was, and becomes jealous of Adam and Eve and their chosen status to occupy and maintain Paradise. He gripes that the excess beauty of Earth causes him to feel more torment and anguish. Gathering his thoughts into action, he finds a sleeping serpent and enters its body.
The next morning, Adam and Eve prepare for their usual morning labors. Realizing that they have much work to do, Eve suggests that they work separately, so that they might get more work done. Adam is not keen on this idea. He fears that they will be more susceptible to Satan’s temptation if they are alone. Eve, however, is eager to have her strength tested. After much resistance, Adam concedes, as Eve promises Adam that she will return to their bower soon. They go off to do their gardening independently.
1) Write a critical note on character of Eve.
Eve is the most important character in Paradise Lost, she is the one who first eats the Forbidden Fruit and then convinces Adam to eat it. because she afraid to god and Satan revenge is to temp eve is success in there plan after this all things Adam things that,
"Should God create another Eve, and I
Another rib afford, yet loss of thee
here is we see that Adam is driven by human emotion because Adam love eve His intentions is not tempted or forced upon him. He, after deep thinking, decides to be on the side of Eve rather than God.
in this thinking we now know that eve's character strong then god. Adam is accept the things also Satan driven by eve's beauty so this points clear that eve character is main in the poem.
2) Whose arguments did you find more convincing?
Ans :- I think eve's arguments are more convincing. because, we can see logic in her argument.
when she argues with Adam about work and she wanted to go to another place.she argues that when they are together they waste time in watching each other and in singing songs of love so if they do work separate they won't waste time. when Satan came as a serpent it told her to eat the fruit but she argued about God's punishment.
. . . her rash hand in evil hour
Forth reaching to the fruit,
She pluck'd, she eat;
Earth felt the wound, and
Nature from her seat
Sighing through all her works
Gave signs of woe,
That all was lost.
Q:- How do you look at Divine Perspective in the Genesis of The Holy Bible and Human Perspective in John Milton's Paradise Lost Book IX?
divine perspective: in Genesis the fall is narrated from god's perspective obviously god is the center of bible eve, Adam, and Satan, fall happens god punished all three, the entire story of genesis is obviously, god centric.
human perspective: in Milton's Paradise lost book 9 we find the same story told from Human perspective.
we find eat the fruit was to gain knowledge to know good and evil. to giving intention is in favor of human rather than God.
secondly we find that Adam has also reason of doing that. he disobey God out of his love towards the Eve.
