Paradise Lost
John Milton
Paradise Lost
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"Paradise Lost" by John Milton is an epic poem published in 1667. It retells the biblical story of humanity's fall: Satan's rebellion against God, his expulsion to Hell, and his vengeful plot to corrupt God's newest creation—mankind. Through the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Milton explores profound themes of free will, disobedience, and redemption. The poem features one of literature's most complex villains in Satan, while seeking to "justify the ways of God to men."
About the book
Paradise Lost is John Milton's epic poem, first published in ten books in 1667 and revised into twelve in 1674. It retells the story from Genesis: the rebellion of Satan and his angels against God, their fall into Hell, and the temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Milton, blind by the time he wrote it, dictated the poem in blank verse, and set himself to justify the ways of God to men. Its Satan, defiant and eloquent, has fascinated readers for centuries, while its portrait of Adam and Eve's love and loss gives the poem its human centre. It is one of the most ambitious poems in the English language.
Characters
Satan — Fallen archangel
The rebel angel cast out of Heaven, who vows revenge on God through humankind.
God the Father — Creator
The almighty ruler of Heaven, who foresees all that will happen.
The Son — Son of God
The Son of God, who drives the rebel angels out of Heaven and offers himself to redeem humanity.
Adam — First man
The first human, made to tend the Garden of Eden.
Eve — First woman
Adam’s companion, created from him, curious and independent.
Beelzebub — Satan’s lieutenant
Satan’s second in command among the fallen angels.
Raphael — Archangel
The friendly angel sent to warn Adam and tell him of the war in Heaven.
Michael — Archangel
The warrior angel who leads Heaven’s armies and later speaks to Adam of the future.