In-class essay examination questions and assessment

¶ … 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, and responds by forcibly showing his dominance. 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 strength and glory after their rebellion, until they were physically struck down. In fact, God had to fight a war to make them fall. "In Military prowess... lead forth my armed Saints ... And to the brow of Heav'n / Pursuing drive them [the rebellious angels] out from God and bliss / Into their place of punishment... which ready opens wide His fiery CHAOS to receive their fall." (book 6) If the fall were the sin itself, rather than the consequence, then they would not need to be pushed into Tartarus. One notices that likewise Adam and Eve would not have died naturally after eating the fruit, if God had not sent an angel to keep them away from the tree which had hithertofore given them eternal life. This is made clear in the verse where God fears their continued immortality: "Least [they]...Reach also of the Tree of Life... And live for ever." (Book 10) In fact, in this case Satan told the truth, for their death was not ordained by eating but by being exiles.