John Milton‘s Paradise Lost is widely regarded as one of the greatest epics in English literature. Written in blank verse, it tells the story of humanity’s fall from grace, focusing on Satan’s rebellion against God, the temptation of Adam and Eve, and their eventual expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The poem is not only a retelling of biblical events but also a profound exploration of free will, obedience, and the nature of good and evil. But what makes Paradise Lost an epic? This article will explore the key characteristics of epic poetry and demonstrate how Milton’s work fits these traits, making it a quintessential epic.
What Is an Epic?
Before delving into the specifics of Paradise Lost, it’s important to understand what constitutes an epic. An epic is a long narrative poem that often chronicles the heroic deeds of a central character, typically with a focus on themes of courage, adventure, and divine intervention. Epics are usually set in a vast, often mythological or historical, setting. They often include:
- A heroic figure: Someone who embodies the values of the culture or society.
- A vast setting: The action takes place across great distances, sometimes including the heavens or underworld.
- Supernatural intervention: Gods or other divine beings play a significant role in the story.
- Elevated language: The style is formal, using poetic techniques such as epic similes and grand speeches.
- A serious tone: The subject matter is important, often dealing with matters of life, death, and fate.
By examining Paradise Lost through these elements, we can see how it aligns with the epic tradition.
The Heroic Struggle: Satan and the Fall of Man
Satan as the Central Hero
In many classical epics, such as The Iliad and The Odyssey, the hero is typically a noble figure like Achilles or Odysseus. However, in Paradise Lost, the hero of the poem is Satan. This choice is one of the most remarkable aspects of Milton’s epic. While Satan’s rebellion against God places him in direct opposition to the divine, Milton portrays him in a complex light. Satan is not simply a villain but a tragic hero who suffers from pride, ambition, and a desire for revenge.
In Book 1, Satan’s famous declaration “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven” reflects his determination and pride. His character is filled with ambition and a desire to be free from divine authority. This makes Satan’s struggle one of personal and cosmic proportions. His rebellion against God and the war in Heaven (Book 6) are central to the epic’s plot and establish him as a significant heroic figure.
The Fall of Adam and Eve
Although Satan is the central figure, the story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace is the ultimate tragedy of the epic. Their disobedience leads to the loss of paradise, which is why Paradise Lost is often considered a tragic epic. The consequences of their actions are universal, affecting all of humanity, which elevates the stakes of their story.
Adam and Eve’s decision to eat the forbidden fruit is an act of free will. Milton uses this event to explore themes of temptation, knowledge, and sin. The fall is not just a personal tragedy for Adam and Eve but a pivotal moment in the epic’s broader narrative of the human condition. Milton’s portrayal of Adam and Eve mirrors the universal struggles with temptation and the consequences of defying divine commands.
The Supernatural Realm: Heaven, Hell, and the Garden of Eden
A Vast and Cosmic Setting
Epic poems often take place in a vast, almost limitless setting. In Paradise Lost, this is reflected in the poem’s inclusion of Heaven, Hell, and Earth as key locations. These settings are not merely physical places but symbolic realms that represent moral and spiritual conditions.
- Heaven: Represented as a realm of peace and justice, Heaven is the domain of God and the angels. It is an eternal, unchanging place of divine order.
- Hell: Satan and his fallen angels are cast into Hell after their defeat in the war in Heaven. Hell is depicted as a place of torment and eternal suffering, but it is also a realm where Satan and his followers continue to plot their rebellion.
- The Garden of Eden: The Earth is represented through the Garden of Eden, a beautiful and peaceful place that symbolizes innocence and purity. The fall of Adam and Eve signifies the loss of this paradise, which is a direct result of Satan’s influence.
The vastness of these settings—spanning the heavens, hell, and the earthly paradise—fits the epic tradition of a story that takes place in a large and meaningful world.
The Role of Supernatural Beings
In typical epics, gods or divine beings play an active role in the narrative, often intervening in the lives of mortals. In Paradise Lost, the gods are central to the story’s conflict. The poem features God, Satan, the Son of God (who will later become Jesus), and a host of angels, both good and fallen.
- God: The omnipotent and omniscient creator of the universe, God is a key figure in the epic. His decisions shape the course of events, such as the casting out of Satan and the punishment of Adam and Eve.
- Satan: Once a high-ranking angel, Satan’s rebellion against God makes him a fallen figure who acts as the antagonist of the epic. His interactions with God and his manipulation of Adam and Eve are significant elements of the story.
- The Son of God: The Son is depicted as a divine figure who will eventually take human form to redeem humanity. His role in the epic is essential, as he embodies the hope of salvation after the fall.
- Angels: The angels are divided into two factions: the faithful angels who remain loyal to God, and the fallen angels who follow Satan. Their battles in Heaven and the consequences of their decisions are integral to the story.
The divine beings’ involvement in the epic mirrors the role of gods in other epic literature, such as the gods of Greek mythology who intervene in the affairs of mortals.
Elevated Language and Poetic Techniques
Blank Verse and Formal Diction
One of the defining features of Paradise Lost is its use of blank verse. Milton wrote the entire epic in unrhymed iambic pentameter, which was considered a prestigious form of poetry during his time. This choice lends the work an elevated tone, befitting the grand themes it explores.
In addition to the verse form, Milton employs formal diction to elevate the language of the poem. He uses elaborate and sometimes archaic language, including epic similes and extended metaphors, to add grandeur and depth to the narrative.
Epic Similes and Metaphors
Milton’s use of epic similes—extended comparisons that span several lines—is another hallmark of the epic genre. For example, in Book 1, he compares Satan and his followers to “a torrent of water” as they are cast out of Heaven. This technique is reminiscent of other epics like The Iliad, where the heroes are often compared to natural forces or powerful animals.
Milton also uses metaphors to symbolize deeper ideas, such as the depiction of Hell as a “dungeon” or “lake of fire.” These metaphors create vivid images that help convey the poem’s moral and theological themes.
Serious and Universal Themes
Free Will and Obedience
One of the central themes of Paradise Lost is the concept of free will and the consequences of disobedience. Satan’s rebellion is rooted in his refusal to submit to God’s will, and this theme of free will is extended to Adam and Eve’s fall. Milton suggests that while free will is a gift from God, it also comes with the responsibility to choose rightly. The tragedy of the fall lies in the misuse of free will, which leads to humanity’s loss of innocence and the corruption of the world.
Good vs Evil
The battle between good and evil is another core theme of the epic. Satan represents evil and rebellion, while God represents goodness and divine order. Milton explores the nature of these opposing forces, questioning the reasons behind Satan’s rebellion and the reasons for mankind’s fall. The struggle between good and evil is not portrayed as a simple dichotomy but as a complex battle that involves personal responsibility, pride, and temptation.
Redemption and Salvation
Though the poem starts with the fall, it ends with a note of hope. Through the sacrifice of the Son of God, humanity has the potential for redemption. This theme of salvation is crucial, as it emphasizes the possibility of restoring what was lost through free will and faith in God. It serves as a reminder that, even in the face of tragedy, there is hope for spiritual renewal and salvation.
Conclusion
Paradise Lost is a quintessential epic that adheres to the conventions of the genre while also expanding and challenging them. Milton’s epic explores grand themes like free will, obedience, and the eternal struggle between good and evil. The poem’s use of a heroic figure in Satan, its vast and cosmic setting, its supernatural beings, and its elevated language all demonstrate how it fits the epic tradition. Moreover, the moral and philosophical questions it raises make Paradise Lost not only a powerful narrative but also a timeless exploration of the human condition. Through its exploration of fallibility, redemption, and divine justice, Paradise Lost remains one of the most important works in the epic genre.
