The Tree Of Knowledge In Paradise Lost Critical Analysis

of good bought dear by knowing ill” (Milton 215-222). In short, the lines mean that God created the Tree of life because he regarded Adam and Eve as royalty, and wanted both to have the necessary sense they need whereas the Tree of Knowledge brings death. In the journal Aspects of Knowledge in Paradise Lost, Anthony briefly mentions how mankind has a knowledge that differs from God (Anthony). Meaning that what one infers to be right is very different from what God knows is right. If God told Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, then they should not do so. Because of them, human nature causes mankind to be curious, and participate in activities that are not considered right. Overall, the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life

The preachers of New England in the 17th century were hypocrites, and instead of benefiting the people, they are only benefiting themselves, and causing lost souls. As Boleman says, “New England’s sins, upon examination, proved to be many and yet basically one…...many of the ministers were fearing that the glory of the saints would lead to hypocrisy in lesser and less fortunate souls,... was rapidly diminished. Adam had fallen through pride, which had turned him from a humble man to an overconfident one who puts his faith in himself rather than in his Creator…Such was the spirit of the first few years, but very soon the cry went up, rising into a crescendo in the 1650’s, 1660’s, and 1670’s, that many were falling away, some even failing scandalously...But he went on to say that a rapid and sad metamorphosis had taken place on New England’s shores. The rising generation was guilty, among other things, of worldliness, whoredoms, fornications, revelings, drunkenness, rudeness, degeneracy from good Christian manners, formality, and profaness. In general, men were sermon-proof and ordinance-proof, always itching after new things and ways…” (Boleman). In short, New England (as a whole) and the preachers did not reach out to the people as they should. Milton published Paradise Lost in 1667 (Greenblatt 1899) because he did not want a lost

The journal says, “But what is more important, he (Milton) undercuts the foundation of Christianity by questioning the whole concept of an after-life, of heavenly rewards and hellish punishments. Not only does Paradise Lost specifically and at some length reiterate Milton’s Mortalist views and suggest that the Last Judgement are remote events, but it also implies that heaven and hell are states of mind...” (Frank). Milton stressed the concept of an afterlife in order to let others know that Hell is real. Overall, Milton does not want the people of England to be tempted by Satan and become a “lost generation”. To do so, they should avoid becoming prideful, be drawn to earthly sins and