Paradise Lost

author: when and where he lived

1608-1674- London

Situation of Satan and fallen angels

just cast into Hell from Heaven after being defeated by God

Interaction between Beelzebub and Satan

B. is cautious of attempting another attack on God, B. now believes God cannot be overpowered

Construction of Pandemonium

dig into earth building with gold and other minerals in less than an hour, they compact into small creatures and enter Pandemonium

Speech of Moloch

rash, argues for war bc what could be worse than living in hell?

Speech of Mammon

epitome of greed, argues against war bc he believes they should mine the ground in Hell for gems and gold. His argument gains much approval from devils.

Speech of Belial

argues against further war with God bc he is slothful. He is also manipulative. He argues that God has not shown them how vengeful and powerful He can be, so they should count their losses.

Beezlebub

Mentions rumors of a new Earth with a new race. Suggests destroying this race out of spite.

What does Satan volunteer to do in Book 2 after the arguments in Pandemonium?

Go to Earth to scout out the new race.

What do the other devils do in the absence of Satan?

Break into groups to discuss outcome of debate and to build structures

Birth of Sin and Death

Sin was born from Satan's head while still in Heaven. He incestuously impregnated her, breeding Death. Death too raped her, causing the howling dogs that constantly follow her.

Invocation at beginning of Book 3

Milton asks that the heavenly light shine inside him and illuminate his mind with divine knowledge so that he can share this knowledge with his readers.

Conversation between Father and Son in Book 3

Father sees Satan's plot against man and man's eventual fall. Father: will act primarily with love and mercy. Son:how this can be mercy toward sin can be just. Father:by a perfect sacrifice Son:volunteers to go to Earth as a sacrifice

Satan's arrival on Earth: What does he see? How does he appear?

Satan sees God's creation--the beautiful land and humans, and he feels jealousy.

How does Satan practice fraud on Archangel Uriel on Earth?

He pretends to be curious about the new race

First descriptions of Adam and Eve

God-like Erect and superior to the animals, naked majesty, the image of their maker shone. He for God, she for God in Him

Satan's soliloquy after he sees Adam and Eve

He says he could have loved them, and that they reflect the glory of God

Satan's intrusion in Eve's dream

Satan fills her with discontent and vain hopes, evokes pride. Plants ideas of power if she eats the fruit in her dream

Adam's response to Eve's telling of her dream

He assures her that it is not necessarily a prediction of what will happen in the future, because she still has the faculty of reason to control her actions.

Raphael's discourse on appetite

God created food for our sustenance and pleasure, necessary for all creatures

Revelation of the Son

God announces that his only son is seated at his right side, and that he will reign on Earth. All creatures should bow to him.

Satan's war against the Son

Satan was jealous of Jesus, so he convinced 1/3 of the angels that. Satan will build a new empire equal to that of God's. They will fight bc Satan tells them they are being oppressed by Jesus, who hasn't fairly risen through the ranks to earn his position or authority.

Response of Father and Son to Satan's conspiracy

Father assures Son of right and power in Heaven ruling over all. Son says their efforts are in vain, and his presence will soon quell their pride.

Summary of War between angels and fallen angels

Abdiel and Satan square off initially and then battle begins, even fighting until Michael injures Satan with a large sword, cutting through his right side. Angels and Satan flee to regroup.

Satan's cannons

Satan's army spends entire night building cannons, which work well initially, but soon, the angels bury the rebel angels under a mountain

The victory of the Son

The day after the battle, the rebel angels dig their way out from under the mountain, and the Son corrals them on a chariot to drive all the fallen angels out of Heaven they fall into Hell.

Raphael's conclusion of Book 6 (after the rebel angels fall to hell)

The fall of satan and his angels is a warning and an example to the reader of the consequences of disobedience

Invocation at the beginning of Book 7

Muse: Urania, muse of astronomy. He asks Urania to ensure the safe transmission of the story of Satan's fall from Raphael to Adam

exhortation of knowledge line 125 in Book 7

Knowledge is as food and requires temperance. Human invention or reason will never know all things, and the pursuit is in vain.

Comparison of Raphael's idea of appetite in book 5 v. book 7

book 5: knowledge is as food--it sustains us. book 7--knowledge requires temperance

Creation of man in Book 7

God made man in his image, he is to rule over all creatures. God breathed life into the dust and thus, Adam was created.

How does Eve prefer to learn?

From Adam.

Milton's view of the fancy or mindterm-41

Prone to wander. Pursue wisdom of daily things not all the questions of the universe. Concern oneself with the matters at hand.

Adam's speech in Book 8 (for discussion question)

Adam feels entirely satisfied with his knowledge. He finds freedom in the fact that he will never understand the intricacies of the Earth. His God-given is pure, and only his wandering thoughts can destroy him.

Adam's appeal for Eve

Adam asks God for companionship, and he says he cannot find companionship with the animals because they are below him.

Creation of Eve

God said it is not good for man to be alone, so he put Adam asleep but still conscious. He created Eve from his rib. Adam is enamored by her beauty.

What awkward question does Adam ask Raphael?

If their love transcends visual attraction to a sexual relationship.

Last 10 lines of book 8

Adam thanks Raphael for his condescension and assistance. Raphael leaves Adam and Eve in the garden.

How does Satan tempt Eve?

Eve is impressed by the snake's ability to talk. Snake says he gained the ability by eating from the forbidden tree. After flattery, Satan tells her God wants her to eat from the tree bc He wants them to show their independence.

How does Eve tempt Adam?

She tells him that if he does not eat too, they will be separated. He decides that he cannot live without Eve, so he eats.

What is Adam's and Eve's reaction to their new fallen state?

They feel sinful emotions, and they are ashamed of their nakedness. They sit and weep.

The Son leaves in Book 10 to perform what mission?

To judge Adam and Eve on Earth.

With what is mercy "colleague"?

justice

What did Jesus clothe Adam and Eve with? (outwardly and inwardly)

outwardly--skins of beasts, inwardly--His robe of righteousness

Who builds the bridge between Earth and Hell?

Sin and Death

What involuntarily happens to the fallen angels in Hell when Satan returns triumphant?

They only hiss as they have been turned to snakes.

How are the cosmos affected by the fall?

God's angels tilt Earth's axis or alter the path of the sun (the poem allows for both interpretations). Now humankind will have to endure extreme hot and cold seasons

According to Milton, what happens to the soul after death?

If you're a redeemed soul, your soul will live on. If you do not repent before you die, your soul will die?

How does Adam treat Eve after the fall?

He blames her and her curses her femininity.

How does Eve respond to Adam's treatment of her after the fall?

She suggests suicide

What causes Adam to resist Eve's solution to their fall?

Adam says Jesus was merciful even in his judgement. He believes God may still be merciful and protect them if they repent and confess sin and beg for mercy.

What are Adam and Eve doing at the beginning of Book 11?

repenting and praying for forgiveness

How does the Son intercede for Adam and Eve after they pray for forgiveness?

The Son asks God to bend and hear them. The Son says he will be their advocate, and asks the Father to accept him in their place as his death will cleanse them of their evils.

What is Michael's mission? What does he show Adam?

To escort Adam and Eve out of Eden. A vision of what is to come of the future of humankind.

What was Cain's motive in slaying Abel ?

Envy of his inheritance.