Milton's Paradise Lost and theological interpretation

Darkness and Light Explored in "Paradise Lost"

John Milton's epic poem, "Paradise Lost," is filled with powerful imagery, metaphors, and symbols that contribute to the poem's theme of good vs. evil on a planet that seems always destined to be tempted with the latter. In describing Heaven, Hell, earth, mankind, God, and angels, the significant of darkness and light becomes one that cannot be overlooked. The obvious allusions to light and dark representing the concepts of good and evil become apparent with a close reading of the text but other less obvious ideas emerge, making and within these realms fall other characters and aspects to be considered. Creating an atmosphere that quickly becomes complex and symbolic. While Milton touches upon the obvious connections between goodness and light and evil and darkness, we find that things may not always be that simple. Through Adam and Eve, we begin to see that light and dark as well as good and evil are separated by the thinnest of veils. Dark and light are symbols not only of what exists in unseen realms beyond the human eye but also the realms of which humans can feel.

Milton places an extraordinary amount of significance on the matters of dark and light in the poem through powerful metaphors. These concepts are immediately thought of as opposites and, for most of the poem, they are. Light has long been the traditional metaphor for things being good while dark images and metaphors represent things that are sinister and evil. The first and foremost of these opposites is God and Satan, each representing a being of lightness or darkness, respectively. Milton wants there to be no doubt that "God is light" (Milton III.3) and goes into incredible lengths describing God's grandeur. Another significant symbol of light are the angels. The angels are beings of light. Throughout the poem, they are held in high regard and are considered to be "Progenie of Light" (V.600).

Raphael is a gentle angel and his primary focus in to save Adam and Eve from their impending fall. He is described as being "vaild with his gorgeous wings, up springing light" (V.250). This image of him is to be glorious as we imagine the angle flying not necessarily on wings but beams of light. The descriptions of these creatures of light are glorious and it is important that we associate them with light because they are closely related to that which is good. Throughout the text, these particular creatures do not stray as Satan does. This is not to say that they do not fail, as some do, but their integrity is never of question. This is the light that surrounds them. In contrast, Satan is associated with all things dark. Hell is a dark den of sin and, in the beginning of the poem, we see how Hell grows darker as Satan stages his plan to overthrow Heaven. We read that the "powers of darkness bound" (III.256) as Satan begins to imagine his deed. The contrast of good and evil and light and dark are established early in the text with two of the most prominent characters.

Milton also employs images of light and dark to describe the places where good and evil reside. He creates a more powerful image of good and evil with light and dark by allowing them to exist in places that imaginable. Heaven is described as a place of golden light and God "lighted from his gorgeous Throne" (VI.103). As God sits on his throne, all that is about him stands "thick as stars' (III.61) and Jesus is described sitting next to God as a "radiant image" (III.63).

Then both, from out Hell-gates into the waste / Wide Anarchy of Chaos damp and dark" (X.282-3). This image gives us a picture of hell that expands beyond the scope of flames licking over the edge of a cliff. The chaos here is dark and damp; thee images call to mind a seedier vision of Hell that is very much like the one we read about earlier. Hell is also described as a dungeon that is:

Horrible, on all sides round

As one great Furnace flamed, yet from those flames

No light, but rather darkness visible

Served only to discover sights of woe,

Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, (I.661-5)

Hell is meant to be a place of sorrow that is enveloped with darkness. Everything associated with it must be dark as well. As Satan contemplates leaving Heaven, his thinking becomes distorted. He begins to think it would be better to rule in a realm of darkness than serve in one of light. He also believes that it is a shame that he must change for Heaven, preferring his "mournful gloom" (I.244-5) to the "celestial light" (I.242-5) of Heaven. Milton creates definite patterns and associations with light and dark with the text. However, he does not stop there and this is where the text becomes interesting contemplative.

While we might be quick to judge Satan for his wayward behavior, we must consider the plight of Adam and his behavior as well. Adam did not set out to make his own kingdom but he made the same mistake that Satan did in that he decided to step out of God's favor. As the poem suggests, the repercussions for this kind of act is nothing short of darkness, or separation from God, regardless of how one chooses to become that way. Free will can move in two directions it seems, and God does not interfere. As a result, Satan's choice puts him directly on the path to darkness and with the permission of Heaven, he was left to "own dark designs" (I.212-3). This aloneness is part of the plan as without free will, there would be no real reason to contrast light and dark.

Milton also emphasizes the contrast between dark and light with the transformation of Satan. While he is now a creature of darkness, he once lived among the "happy realms of light / Clothed with transcendent brightness" (I.85-6) and not only did he shine but he did "outshine / Myriads, though bright" (I.86-7). This description of Satan, while it is clear serves almost a double purpose he in that it allows us to see the two sides of Satan and the sides of good and evil. By allowing them to exist in the same creature, he is allowing some of the lines between light and dark, and good and evil, to be blurred. This should not confuse the reader but simply establish within the reader's mind a concept that can, at times, be confusing. In addition to this blurriness, Milton uses other ideas of dark and light in similar ways.

While Hell is described with images of darkness, we should look at a deeper meaning that is closely related to this and that is the separation from God. While we should quickly realize that Heaven and Hell are two very distinct places with two very distinct atmospheres, we should also realize that Hell is not just Hell - it is also a clear disconnect from God. For those that partook in Stan's rebellion, they exist in a "prison ordained / In utter darkness, and their portion set / As far removed from God and light of Heaven (I.72-4). Here we can see that not only Hell is a cold, dank place but any distance between oneself and God can be as well. Following the same logic, we can also say that by following Satan, one is giving immediately to the darkness and its forces. This does not mean that one becomes one of Satan's own but it does mean that one has moved away from the direction of God and light.

Another example of how the poet uses matters of light and dark to illustrate a point is by emphasizing the delicate nature of man. This notion of Hell and darkness becomes significant as we approach the end of the poem when Adam and Eve choose to distance themselves from God and eat of the fruit. The concept between good and evil has remained intact for the most part, but we see how man has become tainted with a smudge of darkness because of his actions. He is not dark, or evil, like Satan and his minions but there is something to be reckoned with here. Adam is suddenly aware of things he was not before. He states that Satan is an "enlightener of my darkness" (XII.271) and he knows that he is forever changed. He becomes aware that his eyes are now opened and while he struggles to grasp all that it means for him, he is aware that it cannot be good. We read that Adam must accept his destiny but it is not without confusion or anxiety. He says: