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¶ … Fall
Though in Paradise Lost it may appear that "the Fall" is synonymous with the act of disobeying God, a closer reading shows a certain paradoxical duality to the act of falling -- namely, that what is called the Fall is a forced physical and psychic humiliation and prostration which God enacts on those who refuse to willingly prostrate themselves in worship to him. Two opposing categories of fallenness exist, that of the body and that of the will. This duality is embodied in Satan's revolutionary proclamation, as he lies fallen in body and psychic placement: "What though the field be lost? All is not lost; the unconquerable Will... courage never to submit or yield...That Glory never shall his wrath or might Extort from me." (Book 1) In this quote, the reader clearly sees that the brokenness of the body does not necessitate a brokenness of spirit, and that even as the crime of pride is that which brought the Rebel low, at the same time that pride is the thing which keeps him from being entirely defeated. The maintenance of a Warr-like state to some extent both forestalls a total fall, and is at the same time the very mindset which prevents reconciliation.
The sin which leads to the physical fall is the sin of insubordination, of refusing to except the hierarchy of the universe; God cannot allow anyone to step out from under authority,...
This show of force is the "fall" into a place where God's overwhelming power cannot be doubted. It is not so much pride that Lucifer teaches, but rebellion against the hierarchy, as seen in the speech he gives to the angels, where he asks who can "assume Monarchie over such as live by right His equals, if in power and splendor less, In freedome equal...Our being ordain'd to govern, not to serve." (Book 5) The terms "Monarchie" and "govern" clearly indicate the political/hierarchical nature of this sentiment. Mere pride would have assumed Lucifer to be God's equal -- on the contrary, he admits that the angels have "splendor less." The argument is that might does not equal right, and that mere inequality in might should not constitute inequality in position. The same is true with the argument Satan makes to man, albeit that to them he lies.
The fall is not the sin itself, but rather the physical/psychic punishment for that sin, exacted by God. This is made clear in the many descriptions of God's reaction to the Rebels, which always occurs after the sin. One notes that the angels remained full in…
Paradise Lost, Book I Analysis Use of Imagery in Paradise Lost -- Book I Paradise Lost offers an introduction to the story of original sin. Milton uses powerful imagery and allegory to relay the Biblical account of the fall of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis and forfeiture of the Garden of Eden. The story of good and evil is presented in a unique and interesting narrative form. In Book
332-333, 336-337). The fallen angels' response to Satan's call is the final confirmation of his character, because it demonstrates how he is able to maintain the respect and interest of his followers even though it appears as if they have been stripped of everything. In this sense, Satan is a kind of idealized revolutionary leader, outmatched by the "Almighty" but unwilling to give up, all the while maintaining the respect
And so, Kenton goes on, given this schism between East and West, it is his theory that the schism was perhaps symbolized through the interactions between God and the Devil. The freedom of the individual to find his way to God "through Scripture...coincided with Milton's commitment to symbolically unify East and West as proof of the regeneration," Kenton wrote (p. 17). Indeed, Milton's Christian background "necessitates" the need for
459). Such an encounter is the mainstay of Book 9 since both Eve and Adam are chastened by God and are forced to reason with Him in order to confess to their sin and accept the punishment required in order to 'multiply and replenish' the earth as they had been commanded. They knew the reason behind such a commandment, and they also knew that in the long run, what
Satan and Paradise Lost In Paradise Lost by John Milton, Satan represents the royalist, Catholic and aristocratic enemies of the Puritans during the civil wars and religious wars of the 17th Century and reflects the culture and events of the era such as the Renaissance, Reformation and Scientific Revolution. Milton was a Puritan who had supported Oliver Cromwell in the English Civil War and the overthrow of the king, aristocracy and
Satan in Paradise Lost John Milton's epic work, Paradise Lost placed this remarkable 17th-century poet from England alongside Shakespeare, Homer, Virgil and Dante in world literature. A key character in the poem, Satan, failed in his revolt against Heaven's tyranny, which ended in him being thrown into the pits of Hell, and mankind's fall. Satan's numerous compelling traits make him an interesting character in the eyes of readers and literary critics.