Paradise Lost(Illustrated)
By John Milton
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About this ebook
- Illustrated Edition: Features 20 stunning illustrations to enhance the reading experience.
- Includes a Detailed Summary: A concise and engaging summary to capture the essence of the epic.
- Character List Included: A comprehensive list of characters to help keep track of the epic's vast ensemble.
- Author Biography: Delve into the life of John Milton, understanding the man behind the masterpiece.
In the beginning, there was only Heaven and the newly created Earth. It was here that Satan, once the brightest angel, led a failed rebellion against God, only to be cast down into Hell. From the fiery depths, Satan vows revenge, setting his sights on God's newest and most beloved creation: Man. What follows is a cunning plot to lead humanity astray, culminating in the tragic fall of Adam and Eve. This act of disobedience alters the course of destiny and marks the beginning of mankind's struggle between virtue and sin.
Paradise Lost is not just a story of deception and the loss of Eden; it is a richly woven tapestry of themes, including freedom, love, and justice, articulated through Milton's masterful use of blank verse. This edition not only brings Milton's complex characters to life—from the tragic heroism of Satan to the dignified humility of Adam and Eve—but also includes a detailed summary, a comprehensive list of characters, and a biography of John Milton, offering readers valuable insights into the historical and personal context behind this seminal work.
Whether you're a student of literature, a lover of classic poetry, or someone exploring Milton's masterpiece for the first time, this illustrated edition of Paradise Lost promises to be a treasured addition to your collection. Step into the epic drama that has captivated readers for centuries and experience the beauty, tragedy, and enduring relevance of Milton's magnum opus.
John Milton
John Milton was an English poet and intellectual, who was employed as a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State, and later under Oliver Cromwell. Milton wrote at a time of religious flux and political upheaval, and is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost, written In blank verse.
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Paradise Lost(Illustrated) - John Milton
PARADISE LOST
BY
JOHN MILTON
ABOUT MILTON
John Milton, born on December 9, 1608, in London, England, emerged as one of the most prominent figures in English literature, his works reflecting the convoluted socio-political landscape of his time. Raised in a prosperous merchant family, he received an excellent education, first at St. Paul’s School, then at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he was initially intended for the clergy. However, Milton’s unyielding quest for knowledge and freedom of expression led him down a different path.
After Cambridge, Milton embarked on a grand tour of Europe, an experience that significantly broadened his intellectual and cultural horizons. He met with scholars and philosophers, notably Galileo, whose dedication to freedom of thought greatly influenced him. Upon his return to England, Milton found his country on the brink of civil war, a conflict that would shape much of his later work.
Opting not to pursue a career in the Church or at court, Milton set up a private school, dedicating himself to the education of his nephews and other children. This period was marked by his initial forays into poetry, with early works such as L'Allegro
and Il Penseroso
reflecting the depth of his classical learning and his appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.
The outbreak of the English Civil War saw Milton shifting his focus to political writing, passionately defending the principles of freedom and self-governance. His pamphlets, notably Areopagitica
—a vehement defense of free speech—are considered seminal works in the discourse on civil liberties.
Milton would write epic poetry for his magnum opus, notwithstanding his political responsibilities. The massive recounting of the biblical tale of the Fall of Man found in Milton's Paradise Lost,
published in 1667, displays his command of language, his profound theological understanding, and the nuanced nature of his characterizations—especially that of Satan. The poem solidified his status as a literary giant, as did its later companion pieces Paradise Regained
and Samson Agonistes.
Milton’s personal life was marked by tragedy and challenge. He married three times, with his first two wives dying young and leaving him a widower. His later years were shadowed by blindness, a hardship that, while limiting his ability to write, did not diminish his creative spirit. Milton dictated Paradise Lost
to his daughters, a testament to his resilience and dedication to his art.
John Milton died on November 8, 1674. His legacy endures not only through his contributions to literature and political thought but also through his enduring influence on the English language and the ideals of liberty and justice. Milton’s life and work remain a beacon of intellectual courage and artistic integrity, inspiring generations of writers, thinkers, and advocates for freedom around the world.
SUMMARY
John Milton's Paradise Lost
is a magnificent epic poem that explores the deep topics of free will, obedience, and the nature of good against evil. The poem begins with the fallen angel Satan and his followers being cast out of Heaven and preparing to exact revenge by corrupting God's newest creation, humankind, against the backdrop of the cosmic struggle between God and Satan. Adam and Eve dwell in harmony in the verdant Garden of Eden until Satan tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit by pretending to be a snake. Because of this act of disobedience, sin and misery are brought into the world and change the trajectory of human history.
Milton's rich, vivid imagery and complex characterizations breathe life into this timeless story. Satan, portrayed as a tragic hero, is both compelling and repulsive, his eloquence and pride captivating readers. The innocence of Adam and Eve, their fall, and the consequent loss of Paradise are depicted with poignant beauty and deep theological insight. Through these narratives, Milton explores the intricate dynamics of rebellion, redemption, and the human condition.
Paradise Lost
is not just a story of Heaven and Hell, angels and demons; it is a reflection on human nature, the struggle for knowledge, and the quest for redemption. Milton's intricate verse and the epic's grand scope offer a mesmerizing journey through the vast landscapes of the divine and the human heart. It's a timeless exploration of the eternal conflict between good and evil, freedom and predestination, making it one of the most captivating and profound works in English literature.
CHARACTERS LIST
Paradise Lost
by John Milton is an epic poem that delves deep into the themes of free will, obedience, and the nature of good and evil, through the biblical narrative of the Fall of Man. The poem is rich with a variety of characters, each adding depth and complexity to the story. Here is a list of the key characters:
Satan - Once the most beautiful of all angels, Lucifer becomes Satan after leading a failed rebellion against God in Heaven. He is the poem's protagonist and the quintessential tragic hero, showcasing both charisma and the capacity for evil.
God - The omnipotent, omniscient, and benevolent Creator who rules over Heaven and Earth. He foresees the fall of Man but allows it to happen, emphasizing the importance of free will and obedience.
Jesus (The Son) - The Son of God, who volunteers to become mortal to save humanity from the sin introduced by Satan. His role is central to the redemption arc of the narrative.
Adam - The first human, created by God. He lives in the Garden of Eden with Eve, his wife. Adam's curiosity, love, and ultimately his choice to sin by disobeying God’s command not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge define his character.
Eve - The first woman, created from one of Adam's ribs to be his companion. She is portrayed as beautiful and intelligent but also more vulnerable to temptation, which leads to the Fall.
The Archangels:
Michael - A warrior angel who leads God's army against Satan's forces and later acts as a guide to Adam, showing him visions of the future.
Raphael - The archangel who visits Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to warn them of Satan’s presence and to explain the story of the rebellious angels.
Gabriel - The angel who guards the Garden of Eden, confronting Satan when he tries to re-enter the garden.
Beelzebub - Satan's second-in-command, originally a high-ranking angel named Baalzebub. He supports Satan's rebellion and follows him into Hell.
Moloch - A fierce and desperate fallen angel who advocates for open war against God as the best response to their banishment to Hell.
Belial - A fallen angel who argues against further conflict with God, suggesting that they can achieve more through subtlety and deception.
Mammon - A fallen angel who suggests that they should focus on making Hell their new kingdom, as opposed to seeking revenge against God.
Sin - The allegorical daughter of Satan, born from his head before his fall. She guards the gates of Hell and is the mother of Death.
Death - The son of Satan and Sin, portrayed as a shadowy and terrifying figure. He represents the consequence of Sin and plays a role in the story of Man's fall.
These characters, with their distinct personalities and roles, weave together the complex narrative of Paradise Lost,
exploring profound theological and philosophical questions through their actions and choices.
Contents
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
Book 5
Book 6
Book 7
Book 8
Book 9
Book 10
Book 1
Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit
Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast
Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,
With loss of EDEN, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat,
Sing Heav'nly Muse, that on the secret top
Of OREB, or of SINAI, didst inspire
That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed,
In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth
Rose out of CHAOS: Or if SION Hill
Delight thee more, and SILOA'S Brook that flow'd
Fast by the Oracle of God; I thence
Invoke thy aid to my adventrous Song,
That with no middle flight intends to soar
Above th' AONIAN Mount, while it pursues
Things unattempted yet in Prose or Rhime.
And chiefly Thou O Spirit, that dost prefer
Before all Temples th' upright heart and pure,
Instruct me, for Thou know'st; Thou from the first
Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread
Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss
And mad'st it pregnant: What in me is dark
Illumine, what is low raise and support;
That to the highth of this great Argument
I may assert th' Eternal Providence,
And justifie the wayes of God to men.
Say first, for Heav'n hides nothing from thy view
Nor the deep Tract of Hell, say first what cause
Mov'd our Grand Parents in that happy State,
Favour'd of Heav'n so highly, to fall off
From their Creator, and transgress his Will
For one restraint, Lords of the World besides?
Who first seduc'd them to that fowl revolt?
Th' infernal Serpent; he it was, whose guile
Stird up with Envy and Revenge, deceiv'd
The Mother of Mankinde, what time his Pride
Had cast him out from Heav'n, with all his Host
Of Rebel Angels, by whose aid aspiring
To set himself in Glory above his Peers,
He trusted to have equal'd the most High,
If he oppos'd; and with ambitious aim
Against the Throne and Monarchy of God
Rais'd impious War in Heav'n and Battel proud
With vain attempt. Him the Almighty Power
Hurld headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie
With hideous ruine and combustion down
To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
In Adamantine Chains and penal Fire,
Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms.
Nine times the Space that measures Day and Night
To mortal men, he with his horrid crew
Lay vanquisht, rowling in the fiery Gulfe
Confounded though immortal: But his doom
Reserv'd him to more wrath; for now the thought
Both of lost happiness and lasting pain
Torments him; round he throws his baleful eyes
That witness'd huge affliction and dismay
Mixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:
At once as far as Angels kenn he views
The dismal Situation waste and wilde,
A Dungeon horrible, on all sides round
As one great Furnace flam'd, yet from those flames
No light, but rather darkness visible
Serv'd only to discover sights of woe,
Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace
And rest can never dwell, hope never comes
That comes to all; but torture without end
Still urges, and a fiery Deluge, fed
With ever-burning Sulphur unconsum'd:
Such place Eternal Justice had prepar'd
For those rebellious, here their Prison ordain'd
In utter darkness, and their portion set
As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n
As from the Center thrice to th' utmost Pole.
O how unlike the place from whence they fell!
There the companions of his fall, o'rewhelm'd
With Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,
He soon discerns, and weltring by his side
One next himself in power, and next in crime,
Long after known in PALESTINE, and nam'd
BEELZEBUB. To whom th' Arch-Enemy,
And thence in Heav'n call'd Satan, with bold words
Breaking the horrid silence thus began.
If thou beest he; But O how fall'n! how chang'd
From him, who in the happy Realms of Light
Cloth'd with transcendent brightnes didst outshine
Myriads though bright: If he whom mutual league,
United thoughts and counsels, equal hope,
And hazard in the Glorious Enterprize,
Joynd with me once, now misery hath joynd
In equal ruin: into what Pit thou seest
From what highth fal'n, so much the stronger provd
He with his Thunder: and till then who knew
The force of those dire Arms? yet not for those
Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage
Can else inflict do I repent or change,
Though chang'd in outward lustre; that fixt mind
And high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit,
That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend,
And to the fierce contention brought along
Innumerable force of Spirits arm'd
That durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,
His utmost power with adverse power oppos'd
In dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n,
And shook his throne. What though the field be lost?
All is not lost; the unconquerable Will,
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never to submit or yield:
And what is else not to be overcome?
That Glory never shall his wrath or might
Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace
With suppliant knee, and deifie his power
Who from the terrour of this Arm so late
Doubted his Empire, that were low indeed,
That were an ignominy and shame beneath
This downfall; since by Fate the strength of Gods
And this Empyreal substance cannot fail,
Since through experience of this great event
In Arms not worse, in foresight much advanc't,
We may with more successful hope resolve
To wage by force or guile eternal Warr
Irreconcileable, to our grand Foe,
Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joy
Sole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n.
So spake th' Apostate Angel, though in pain,
Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:
And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.
O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,
That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to Warr
Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds
Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King;
And put to proof his high Supremacy,
Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate,
Too well I see and rue the dire event,
That with sad overthrow and foul defeat
Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty Host
In horrible destruction laid thus low,
As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences
Can Perish: for the mind and spirit remains
Invincible, and vigour soon returns,
Though all our Glory extinct, and happy state
Here swallow'd up in endless misery.
But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now
Of force believe Almighty, since no less
Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours)
Have left us this our spirit and strength intire
Strongly to suffer and support our pains,
That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,
Or do him mightier service as his thralls
By right of Warr, what e're his business be
Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,
Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;
What can it then avail though yet we feel
Strength undiminisht, or eternal being
To undergo eternal punishment?
Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd.
Fall'n Cherube, to be weak is miserable
Doing or Suffering: but of this be sure,
To do ought good never will be our task,
But ever to do ill our sole delight,
As being the contrary to his high will
Whom we resist. If then his Providence
Out of our evil seek to bring forth good,
Our labour must be to pervert that end,
And out of good still to find means of evil;
Which oft times may succeed, so as perhaps
Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb
His inmost counsels from their destind aim.
But see the angry Victor hath recall'd
His Ministers of vengeance and pursuit
Back to the Gates of Heav'n: The Sulphurous Hail
Shot after us in storm, oreblown hath laid
The fiery Surge, that from the Precipice
Of Heav'n receiv'd us falling, and the Thunder,
Wing'd with red Lightning and impetuous rage,
Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now
To bellow through the vast and boundless Deep.
Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn,
Or satiate fury yield it from our Foe.
Seest thou yon dreary Plain, forlorn and wilde,
The seat of desolation, voyd of light,
Save what the glimmering of these livid flames
Casts pale and dreadful? Thither let us tend
From off the tossing of these fiery waves,
There rest, if any rest can harbour there,
And reassembling our afflicted Powers,
Consult how we may henceforth most offend
Our Enemy, our own loss how repair,
How overcome this dire Calamity,
What reinforcement we may gain from Hope,
If not what resolution from despare.
Thus Satan talking to his neerest Mate
With Head up-lift above the wave, and Eyes
That sparkling blaz'd, his other Parts besides
Prone on the Flood, extended long and large
Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
As whom the Fables name of monstrous size,
TITANIAN, or EARTH-BORN, that warr'd on JOVE,
BRIARIOS or TYPHON, whom the Den
By ancient TARSUS held, or that Sea-beast
LEVIATHAN, which God of all his works
Created hugest that swim th' Ocean stream:
Him haply slumbring on the NORWAY foam
The Pilot of some small night-founder'd Skiff,
Deeming some Island, oft, as Sea-men tell,
With fixed Anchor in his skaly rind
Moors by his side under the Lee, while Night
Invests the Sea, and wished Morn delayes:
So stretcht out huge in length the Arch-fiend lay
Chain'd on the burning Lake, nor ever thence
Had ris'n or heav'd his head, but that the will
And high permission of all-ruling Heaven
Left him at large to his own dark designs,
That with reiterated crimes he might
Heap on himself damnation, while he sought
Evil to others, and enrag'd might see
How all his malice serv'd but to bring forth
Infinite goodness, grace and mercy shewn
On Man by him seduc't, but on himself
Treble confusion, wrath and vengeance pour'd.
Forthwith upright he rears from off the Pool
His mighty Stature; on each hand the flames
Drivn backward slope their pointing spires, & rowld
In billows, leave i'th' midst a horrid Vale.
Then with expanded wings he stears his flight
Aloft, incumbent on the dusky Air
That felt unusual weight, till on dry Land
He lights, if it were Land that ever burn'd
With solid, as the Lake with liquid fire;
And such appear'd in hue, as when the force
Of subterranean wind transports a Hill
Torn from PELORUS, or the shatter'd side
Of thundring AETNA, whose combustible
And fewel'd entrals thence conceiving Fire,
Sublim'd with Mineral fury, aid the Winds,
And leave a singed bottom all involv'd
With stench and smoak: Such resting found the sole
Of unblest feet. Him followed his next Mate,
Both glorying to have scap't the STYGIAN flood
As Gods, and by their own recover'd strength,
Not by the sufferance of supernal Power.
Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seat
That we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloom
For that celestial light? Be it so, since hee
Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid
What shall be right: fardest from him is best
Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream
Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields
Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail
Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
A mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.
The mind is its own place, and in it self
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less then hee
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.
But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,
Th' associates and copartners of our loss
Lye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,
And call them not to share with us their part
In this unhappy Mansion, or once more
With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
Regaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?
So SATAN spake, and him BEELZEBUB
Thus answer'd. Leader of those Armies bright,
Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld,
If once they hear that voyce, their liveliest pledge
Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft
In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge
Of battel when it rag'd, in all assaults
Their surest signal, they will soon resume
New courage and revive, though now they lye
Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire,
As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,
No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth.
He scarce had ceas't when the superiour Fiend
Was moving toward the shore; his ponderous shield
Ethereal temper, massy, large and round,
Behind him cast; the broad circumference
Hung on his shoulders like the Moon, whose Orb
Through Optic Glass the TUSCAN Artist views
At Ev'ning from the top of FESOLE,
Or in VALDARNO, to descry new Lands,
Rivers or Mountains in her spotty Globe.
His Spear, to equal which the tallest Pine
Hewn on NORWEGIAN hills, to be the Mast
Of some great Ammiral, were but a wand,
He walkt with to support uneasie steps
Over the burning Marle, not like those steps
On Heavens Azure, and the torrid Clime
Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with Fire;
Nathless he so endur'd, till on the Beach
Of that inflamed Sea, he stood and call'd
His Legions, Angel Forms, who lay intrans't
Thick as Autumnal Leaves that strow the Brooks
In VALLOMBROSA, where th' ETRURIAN shades
High overarch't imbowr; or scatterd sedge
Afloat, when with fierce Winds ORION arm'd
Hath vext the Red-Sea Coast, whose waves orethrew
BUSIRIS and his MEMPHIAN Chivalrie,
VVhile with perfidious hatred they pursu'd
The Sojourners of GOSHEN, who beheld
From the safe shore their floating Carkases
And broken Chariot Wheels, so thick bestrown
Abject and lost lay these, covering the Flood,
Under amazement of their hideous change.
He call'd so loud, that all the hollow Deep
Of Hell resounded. Princes, Potentates,
Warriers, the Flowr of Heav'n, once yours, now lost,
If such astonishment as this can sieze
Eternal spirits; or have ye chos'n this place
After the toyl of Battel to repose
Your wearied vertue, for the ease you find
To slumber here, as in the Vales of Heav'n?
Or in this abject posture have ye sworn
To adore the Conquerour? who now beholds
Cherube and Seraph rowling in the Flood
With scatter'd Arms and Ensigns, till anon
His swift pursuers from Heav'n Gates discern
Th' advantage, and descending tread us down
Thus drooping, or with linked Thunderbolts
Transfix us to the bottom of this Gulfe.
Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n.
They heard, and were abasht, and up they sprung
Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch
On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread,
Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.
Nor did they not perceave the evil plight
In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel;
Yet to their Generals Voyce they soon obeyd
Innumerable. As when the potent Rod
Of AMRAMS Son in EGYPTS evill day
Wav'd round the Coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud
Of LOCUSTS, warping on the Eastern Wind,
That ore the Realm of impious PHAROAH hung
Like Night, and darken'd all the Land of NILE:
So numberless were those bad Angels seen
Hovering on wing under the Cope of Hell
'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding Fires;
Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted Spear
Of their great Sultan waving to direct
Thir course, in even ballance down they light
On the firm brimstone, and fill all the Plain;
A multitude, like which the populous North
Pour'd never from her frozen loyns, to pass
RHENE or the DANAW, when her barbarous Sons
Came like a Deluge on the South, and spread
Beneath GIBRALTAR to the LYBIAN sands.
Forthwith from every Squadron and each Band
The Heads and Leaders thither hast where stood
Their great Commander; Godlike shapes and forms
Excelling human, Princely Dignities,
And Powers that earst in Heaven sat on Thrones;
Though of their Names in heav'nly Records now
Be no memorial, blotted out and ras'd
By thir Rebellion, from the Books of Life.
Nor had they yet among the Sons of EVE
Got them new Names, till wandring ore the Earth,
Through Gods high sufferance for the tryal of man,
By falsities and lyes the greatest part
Of Mankind they corrupted to forsake
God their Creator, and th' invisible
Glory of him, that made them, to transform
Oft to the Image of a Brute, adorn'd
With gay Religions full of Pomp and Gold,
And Devils to adore for Deities:
Then were they known to men by various Names,
And various Idols through the Heathen World.
Say,