Disobedience In Paradise Lost

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Recommended: An essay on John Milton's Paradise Lost

The story of Paradise Lost by John Milton details disobedience and the fall of mankind from God’s grace. God preordained all that was and all that will be following his creation. The poems major themes are the obedience to God, the nature of the universe and ultimately the fall of mankind. These themes will be further explained thru Milton’s explanation of light and darkness. Milton’s conversations between Satan, Beelzebub, Adam and Eve illustrate the difference between their conflicting views on good and evil. Milton displays his hubris for stating he attempts something that has never been done before in writing this poem he requests the help of his muse.
Themes are essential and frequently universal ideas explored in a literary work. This disobedience toward God will provide the structure for Milton’s poem. Throughout his poem he will invoke the help of his muse as a source of motivation. The first line illustrates Milton’s main theme of “man’s first disobedience” (1.1). This disobedience refers to Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit therefore falling from God’s grace. Satan refuses to seek forgiveness thus the reason he will remain in Hell. Adam and Eve repent their sins and seek forgiveness in hopes of being forgiven. They recognized their disobedience to God and through their repentance man’s salvation will ensue.
The second theme of Paradise Lost is the nature of the universe providing a tangible interpretation by Milton. He illustrates the separation of Heaven above, earth in the middle and hell below. This is the natural order of the Christian worldview providing a foundation for one’s faith. Hebrews 1:3 details the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the ...

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...rallels between heaven and hell, God and Satan thusly good and evil. John 8:12 conveys the power of his light as Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”. The light of the world in this verse refers to God’s grace. The nonexistence of light in Hell expresses the message that God’s existence and grace is not present in Satan or Hell.
Milton’s creation of this Christian epic provides the ethical actions that the world was built upon. Satan’s and Beelzebub plot to over throw heaven and Adam and Eve’s fall from grace outline Christian’s daily struggle with one’s freewill. God’s ultimate plan is seen in the sacrifice of his only begotten son. Salvation is obtained through devotion and respect toward God, but if remorseful one can experience compassion, deliverance and grace.

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