Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost is an epic poem written by John Milton and was published in 1667, consisting of 10 different versions with over ten thousand lines of verse. Our main focus is from book 1 and book 2 over the fall of Satan, who may seem to be a hero in his perspective. Good vs. evil is one of the main themes presented between God and Satan throughout the story.
The above image represents one of the main themes of good vs. evil as Satan tries to rule over God and his creation of heaven.
We can see satan’s evil works at the start of the story Milton introduces in Paradise Lost. Introducing the first sin between Adam and Eve disobeying God. As told in the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve were the first humans created by God. They were brought into the world in a beautiful garden called the Garden of Eden.
Despite Adam and Eve enjoying their innocent lives, God specifically gave them one rule: not to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge. Furthermore, an evil snake appears as satan in persuading Eve, knowing she was weaker into eating the fruit, which she did, and later on, Adam gave in. This was considered humankind’s first act of disobedience toward God. The consequences were brought into the world as suffering and death, and Adam and Even were kicked out of the Garden of Eden.
The snake appearing as Satan and his fellow followers, soon fall to hell as they have been defeated by God in Heaven. As mentioned earlier, some may perceive Satan to be a hero; he struggles with his weaknesses and strives for greatness. Although, his goal mentioned in the story, to make heaven hell and hell as heaven, to be considered evil. Falling into hell where God has sent others like satan, living through fiery darkness where everything is in burning flames.
Alongside, satan and his followers living in the fiery of darkness in hell, decide to rebel against heaven in following satan’s words. Even after his defeat, “all is not lost — the unconquerable will, and study of revenge, immortal hate, and courage never to submit or yield” (lines 106–108). Ultimately being in defeat, satan will not back down on his words and do whatever it takes to overcome God and Heaven.
