Paradise Lost

Paradise lost books I-IV

Paradise Lost is an epic poem about the power struggle between God and Lucifer (Satan). It opens with Lucifer falling from heaven after losing the great war. Lucifer was once God’s favorite angel but his jealousy and greed led him to rebel; he didn’t want to serve in heaven, he wanted to rule it. The rest of the books are about Satan’s journey to redemption. He decides to corrupt God’s most prized possession- his creation (man). The language in the books is difficult; reading the lines more than once is recommended. Here is a sample:

So Satan spake, and him Beelzebub
Thus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright,
Which but th' Onmipotent none could have foyld,
If once they hear that voyce, thir liveliest pledge
Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft [ 275 ]
In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge
Of battel when it rag'd, in all assaults
Thir surest signal, they will soon resume
New courage and revive, though now they lye
Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire, [ 280 ]
As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,
No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.

This passage is an example of the difficulty involved in reading Milton’s classic. He uses complicated vocabulary and sentence structure. “Of battle when it rag’d, in all assaults/Thir surest signal, they will soon resume/New courage and revive.” This shows how Milton uses complex sentence structure. There are many symbols and themes woven within the work as well. These include the themes of good vs. evil, temptation, and revenge. These themes are revealed through the actions of the main characters( God, Satan, Adam, and Eve). Although it is complex, it is worth the time and effort. I recommend this book but only if you are willing to put in the work.