Human Suffering in \"Paradise Lost\"

¶ … Human Suffering in "Paradise Lost" and "Inferno"

Milton's "Paradise Lost" and Dante's "Inferno" both deal with issues related to good and evil. In dealing with this issue, the theme of human suffering is explored. While they do it in different ways, both authors show that human beings are responsible for their own suffering. Human beings are challenged by evil and when they choose evil over good they suffer as a result.

The first reference to suffering is seen where Milton describes the actions of Satan. Satan himself was originally accepted in heaven. However, Satan could not overcome his own desire to be the greatest. He tried to overtake heaven as Milton describes,.".. And with ambitious aim / Against the throne and monarchy of God / Raised impious war in Heav'n and battle proud / With vain attempt" (Milton I 41-44). In response, Satan was thrown out of heaven as Milton describes saying that Satan was "Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie / With hideous ruine and combustion down / to bottomless perdition, there to dwell / in Adamantine Chains and penal Fire" (Milton I 45-48). This shows that Satan was doomed to a life of suffering because of his actions. It also shows how giving into temptation leads to suffering. Finally, it shows that ignoring and fighting against God's law results in suffering. These aspects of suffering are all repeated in the actions of Adam and Eve.

Before describing how Adam and Eve forced themselves to live in suffering, it is important to note the relevance of this. This is noted in the opening lines of the epic poem where Milton writes, "Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit / of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast / Brought Death into the World, and all our woe" (Milton I 1-3). This shows that Adam eating the fruit does not just represent why he suffers. Instead, it gives the story a wider significance by representing why all of mankind will suffer. This means that this one event should be taken as a lesson for all people on how to avoid suffering. Turning now to the actual event, it is important that both Adam and Eve contribute to the problem. It is Eve who manipulates Adam into eating the apple. In turn, Eve is convinced to do so by Satan in the form of the snake. It is also relevant that Satan convinces Eve by telling her that she will gain the wisdom she seeks by doing so. In doing this, Satan is using Eve's weakness against her. Since Eve has an issue about not having wisdom, she is susceptible to this line of reasoning. She weakens, gives into the temptation, and decides to convince Adam to eat the apple. Eve then manipulates Adam in much the same way. Adam's main weakness is for Eve and Eve uses this against Adam. This is noted at the point where Adam decides to take a bite from the fruit, "Against his better knowledge; not deceived, / but fondly overcome with female charm" (Milton IX 98-99). This shows that Adam has been manipulated based on his main weakness and has been unable to avoid temptation. With the combination of Adam and Eve both giving into temptation, Adam eats the fruit. As described at the start of the work, this disobedience "Brought Death into the World, and all our woe" (Milton I 3). This shows that human suffering results from being disobedient to God. At the same time, it shows that disobedience occurs due to people's weaknesses where they are tempted to do evil. The challenge for people is to overcome temptation, not give into their own weaknesses, and choose to do good despite any temptation to do otherwise. In the end, human suffering is the result of choosing evil over good and not obeying God.