Paradise Lost is an epic poem by John Milton that was first published in 1667. It relies on the underlying structure of ancient epics to portray the Christian worldview as noble and heroic, arguing that God’s actions, for people who might question them, are justified—hinting that humankind’s fall serves God’s greater purposes. In his retelling of Adam and Eve’s story, Milton suggests that disobedience to God leads to spiritual exile, allowing evil in all its manifestations to enter the world, which, in turn, offers necessary opportunities for redemption.

Summary

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Characters

See a complete list of the characters in Paradise Lost and in-depth analysis of Satan, Adam, Eve, God the Father, God the Son, and Sin and Death.

Literary Devices

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Questions & Answers

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Quick Quizzes

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Essays

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Further Study

Go further in your study of Paradise Lost with background information on John Milton and the poem and suggestions for further reading.