paradise lost

Overview

John Milton’s Paradise Lost is one of the greatest epic poems in the English language.

Plot Summary

It tells the story of the Fall of Man, a tale of immense drama and excitement, of rebellion and treachery, of innocence pitted against corruption, in which God and Satan fight a bitter battle for control of mankind’s destiny. The struggle rages across three worlds—heaven, hell, and earth—as Satan and his band of rebel angels plot their revenge against God. At the center of the conflict are Adam and Eve, who are motivated by all-too-human temptations but whose ultimate downfall is unyielding love.

Key Themes

• Immense drama and excitement
• Rebellion and treachery
• Innocence versus corruption
• The battle for control of mankind’s destiny
• Human temptation and unyielding love

Significance

Marked by Milton’s characteristic erudition, Paradise Lost is a work epic both in scale and, notoriously, in ambition. For nearly 350 years, it has held generation upon generation of audiences in rapt attention, and its profound influence can be seen in almost every corner of Western culture.