![]() ![]() Belial asks, “What if the breath that kindled those grim fires awaked should blow them into sevenfold rage and plunge us into the flames?” (29). He adds, “Our power is sufficient to disturb his Heav’n” (27). He argues that they need not fear a worse destruction than what they have already suffered: “Fear to be worse destroyed: what can be worse than to dwell here, driv’n out from bliss, condemned in this abhorred deep to utter woe where pain of inextinguishable fire must exercise us without hope of end” (26). Molech, the strongest and fiercest demon, urges open war. Milton coins the term “pandemonium” as representing the “seat of all demons” (22). Mammon suggests they make the best of hell, as it is futile to oppose God. Of him it is said, “From Heav’n, for ev’n in Heav’n his looks and thoughts were always downward bent, admiring more the riches of Heav’ns pavement, trodden gold, than divine or holy else enjoyed” (20). Milton presents the various pagan gods such as Molech, Beelzebub, Osiris, Isis, Chemosh, and Ashtaroth as demons who impersonate gods on earth (13). Beelzebub argues that they should launch a counter-assault on hell, resulting in this famous line: “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven” (9). In this poem, various leading demons debate the best strategy. Technically, hell and the lake of fire is reserved as the final destination of Satan and his followers. Milton certainly takes literary license at times. The poem begins with the terrible descent of Satan and his demonic hordes into hell. As a result, this book has exercised enormous influence on the church since its release. He grapples with enormous theological issues, such as the source of evil, why God allows Satan to remain free, and whether people have free will. Milton uses more than 1,000 English words in his epic poem. At first he assumed it would be about pagan gods and heroes, but he ultimately chose to chronicle the fall of humanity and the effect it had on creation. He had always aspired to write an epic poem. He became totally blind in 1652, which may well have saved his life. During the restoration of Charles II, Milton was in grave danger of being drawn and quartered for his disloyalty to the crown. Milton became well-known during the rule of Cromwell. He supported the work of Cromwell and the Puritans to overthrow evil King Charles I. John Milton was born in 1608, and he died in 1673. ![]() I am glad I finally took the time to read this classic. Much of people’s theology, for better or worse, has come from its pages. Paradise Lost is a book I have long intended to read. ![]()
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