Biblical Elements in John Milton’s Paradise Lost

The Bible has become a rich source of inspiration for the great creators who have embraced the tabs of the Bible in an artistic way. One of the most famous of them is Milton, with the poem 'Paradise Lost'.

Paradise Lost is an epic poem published in 1667 by the English author John Milton, which is considered one of the most important poems in English books. John Milton's book 'Paradise Lost' is written in blank and consists of 12 parts. This work harmoniously combines the use of metaphors and colorful comparisons, so the author has been able to refresh the biblical story of the fall of Adam and Eve. In “ Paradise Lost”, John Milton turned the story of man's creation and his expulsion from paradise into spectacular action “And even in hell, but it is worth to reign, because it is better to reign in hell than to be.“ Here was created Adam's love story and philosophical thinking about his life, faith and purpose and a description of the angels' war with demons, 'Be in suffering, in battle, - woe to the weak'. 

One of the most talked about heroes in this poem is Satan. Contrary to the biblical original, this character is endowed with human qualities being incredibly powerful and intelligent. Satan rebels against God to gain authority and self-assertion, but despite the defeat, he does not give up and decides to take revenge on the wicked, pronouncing on the destinies of Adam and Eve. Here is the embodiment of faith in the Almighty God the Father. He sees the plans of the Devil, but does not proclaim himself against them because seeing in the future, all these would lead to the supreme good. Contrary to the Bible, Adam and Eve are not only forbidden from the fruit of the Tree of knowledge, but they are warned of Satan's plans. For this reason, their fall into sin seems like a conscious decision that they treated regardless. 

Eva, the heroine who by her intelligence manages to manipulate Adam. Angels Raphael and Michael play an active role in the book. They are mentors of the human couple. Their images are a bit boring, because they are perfect and do not provoke much sympathy or admiration. Despite the strict observance of the biblical canon, the poet succeeded in his book describing life and issues of interest to modern society. At the same time, paradise is described as 'Utopia', led by a wise and caring ruler and his faithful angels. It was based on the insignificant but rich experience of family life, describing the marriage of the first people and Adam as the ideal father and husband who loves his wife very much. Eva (in Milton's understanding) is the root of all family problems, 'But everywhere I saw the same source of all human evil - women!'

Indeed, the poem 'Paradise Lost' represents a treasure of the English language, a source of knowledge, of life, of the absolute. This expresses the contrast and struggle between truth and deception, between good and evil, between strong and weak, between past and future. The poem claims its undeniable value through its content perpetuated over the years.