Paradise Lost by John Milton (1667). Summary of the book.

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Paradise Lost by John Milton (1667) – Summary of the Book

Paradise Lost is a 17th-century English epic poem by John Milton, about the biblical story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. Milton’s purpose in writing the poem was to “justify the ways of God to men”. The poem consists of 12 books or sections, and is divided into two parts: books 1–6 are about the fall of man and books 7–12 are about the future of mankind.

The poem begins with Satan and his fellow fallen angels, having been cast out of Heaven, gathering in the fiery Lake of Hell. Satan is determined to oppose God and to exact his revenge on mankind, which God has created in His own image. Satan leads his army of rebels to the Garden of Eden, where he tempts Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. As a result of their transgression, God casts Adam and Eve out of Eden and curses them with mortality.

The rest of the poem follows the rise and fall of mankind, as well as Satan’s continued attempts to thwart God’s plan. Along the way, Milton’s poem makes numerous references to classical mythology and the Bible, and offers his own version of the creation story. Through his characters, Milton explores a range of topics, from freedom and justice to love and faith. The poem ends with a vision of the future of mankind, in which a Redeemer will come to restore mankind’s lost innocence.

Main Themes of Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost is a complex and multi-layered poem that touches on a wide range of themes. These include:

  • Free will: Milton explores the idea that humans have the freedom to choose their own destiny, despite the consequences.
  • Justice: Milton examines the concept of divine justice and whether God’s punishments are fair.
  • Love: Milton explores the nature of love between God and man, and between man and woman.
  • Faith: Milton questions the power of faith in the face of adversity and temptation.

Interesting Facts about Paradise Lost

  • The poem is written in blank verse: Milton wrote the poem in blank verse, which is an unrhymed iambic pentameter.
  • It is Milton’s longest work: At 10,565 lines, Paradise Lost is Milton’s longest poem.
  • It is an epic poem: An epic poem is a long narrative poem that tells a story.
  • Milton was blind when he wrote it: Milton was completely blind when he wrote the poem, and had to dictate it to his daughters.
  • It was published posthumously: Paradise Lost was not published until after Milton’s death in 1667.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Paradise Lost

Q: What is Paradise Lost?
A: Paradise Lost is an epic poem written by John Milton in 1667. It is a retelling of the biblical story of the fall of man from the Garden of Eden.

Q: Who wrote Paradise Lost?
A: Paradise Lost was written by 17th-century English poet John Milton.

Q: How long is Paradise Lost?
A: Paradise Lost is 10,565 lines long and is divided into 12 books.

Q: What are the main themes of Paradise Lost?
A: The main themes of Paradise Lost are free will, justice, love, and faith.

Q: Was John Milton blind when he wrote Paradise Lost?
A: Yes, John Milton was completely blind when he wrote Paradise Lost. He had to dictate the poem to his daughters.

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