Psychological conflict and inner voices in Milton's Paradise Lost

Milton Outline

Paradise Lost can be read on the surface as a purely religious parable, and hold a great deal of literary value as such

Solely reading the text for its religious implications means the reader is missing out on much of Milton's intentions and other possible interpretations, however.

Certain indicators in the first four "books" of the poem hint that a more psychological reading of the text, where God and Satan are two opposing inner voices in the mind or soul of man, is more in keeping with Milton's intent

The Frame

Milton begins his lengthy poem with a description of what he's going to do and then calling for assistance in helping him accomplish, which makes a more psychological reading likely for two reasons

First, the fact that Milton openly exposes himself as the poet, rather than simply diving into the story of the poem, makes Man rather than either God or Satan central to the story, and makes it clear that this is where the conflict occurs

C. Second, Milton calls on the Holy Spirit to enter him and be his muse, which is explicitly making God an inner voice or internal presence, not an external character

III. The Debate

A. Satan's decision-making process in the second book of Paradise Lost also indicates a more internal conflict than an external one

B. There are different counsels that war for Satan's attention and advocate different plans of action, creating an opposition of values and ideas in Satan's mind that he must work to resolve before a choice can be made and the action can move forward

C. This is similar to the oppositional voices of conscience and desire that occur in man's mind, and that is further represented by the God/Satan juxtaposition in the poem

V. Conclusion

A. From the initial external frame of the poem, through Satan's uncertainty, and even in the direct conflict between Satan and God (through Gabriel), the sense of Man's presence and of an internal struggle of conscience is quite strong.

B. While reading the text as religious commentary is still meaningful, it is highly limiting

C. Any great work of literature, even the Bible itself, can be explored on many levels, and finding the right depth of a work is essential to full understanding and enjoyment.