Paradise Lost Free Will Analysis

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Milton’s Paradise Lost and the Concept of Free Will Within the context of Paradise Lost, it seems that Milton viewed free will as being somewhere between the ability to do whatever you wish and having all of your life events predetermined by God. Using this definition of free will Adam, Eve, Satan, the Son, and the Angels have the ability to choose their actions within situations that have been predetermined by, or are at least known to, God. It can then be proposed that the fall was not predetermined and that Adam and Eve had the choice to reject the temptation they were presented with but failed, leading to the fall of mankind. In Paradise Lost, Milton portrays the idea that God’s gift of free will to creation increases his authority over …show more content…

Milton uses Satan as an example that even the angels have free will and can choose whether or not to serve God. Satan describes himself as an angel who fell victim to the vices of jealousy and pride and chose to become like God instead of basking in his glory. Satan, who was created by God, naturally has free will and chooses evil as his path, falling from glory. While creating hell does not seem to initially be part of God’s plan, he must now accommodate for the choices of the fallen angels and creates this as the lowest point of his world. After being banished from heaven, Satan reflects on his evil deeds and considers the option of redeeming himself before God. However, he realizes that he has come too far in his desire to become God’s equal and he commits to his evil ways. He is constantly confronted with choices throughout Paradise Lost and enacts his free will in rejecting God, accepting evil, and striving to become equally powerful over his own …show more content…

Even though he sees this transgression will occur, he knows that it is ultimately Eve and Adam’s duty to refuse the temptation and remain faithful. Satan, dedicated to his path of wickedness, enters the Garden of Eden disguised as a serpent with the hopes of leading mankind away from God. Satan eventually succeeds in convincing Eve and Adam to eat the fruit and they become more knowledgeable of the difference between good and evil, what they had, and what they lost with their disobedience. The fall and their new knowledge allows Adam and Eve to trust in God even more than before as they can now understand the goodness of God to a greater

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