In this video, I’ll summarize the plot of Paradise Lost in about four minutes and give you an analysis of the story.
1. The Fall of Satan
The epic poem begins in Hell, where Satan and his fallen angels have been cast after their failed rebellion against God. Satan, once a high-ranking angel, refused to submit to divine authority and led a war in Heaven, only to be defeated by the archangel Michael and cast down. Now in Hell, Satan rallies his followers, including Beelzebub and Mammon, and declares that they will continue their defiance against God. They build Pandemonium, a grand palace, and debate their next course of action, ultimately deciding to corrupt God’s newest creation—mankind.
2. The Creation of Earth
Meanwhile, in Heaven, God observes Satan’s plans but allows events to unfold, emphasizing free will. To counterbalance Satan’s influence, God sends His Son to create the world and mankind. Adam and Eve are placed in the Garden of Eden, where they live in blissful innocence. They are warned by God that they must not eat from the Tree of Knowledge, as doing so will bring death and suffering. Satan, however, sees their existence as an opportunity to strike back at God and sets out to corrupt them.
3. Satan’s Temptation of Eve
Disguising himself as a serpent, Satan sneaks into Eden and waits for the right moment to deceive Eve. He finds her alone and convinces her that eating from the forbidden tree will grant her knowledge and elevate her to godlike status. Overcome by curiosity and pride, Eve eats the fruit and later persuades Adam to do the same. Immediately, they experience guilt and shame, realizing they have lost their innocence. Their disobedience marks the Fall of Man, introducing sin and death into the world.
4. Consequences of the Fall
God, seeing Adam and Eve’s transgression, sends the Son to deliver judgment. Adam and Eve are cursed with suffering—Eve will endure pain in childbirth, and Adam must toil for survival. Satan returns to Hell, believing he has won, but instead, he and his demons are transformed into serpents as punishment. Meanwhile, Death and Sin, personified as Satan’s offspring, establish their reign over Earth. Despite their despair, Adam and Eve express remorse and seek forgiveness, demonstrating that redemption may still be possible.
5. Expulsion from Eden
The archangel Michael is sent to escort Adam and Eve out of Eden. Before they leave, he reveals visions of humanity’s future, showing the suffering that will result from their sin but also the coming of a savior who will redeem mankind. Though devastated, Adam and Eve accept their fate, and hand in hand, they leave the Garden, beginning humanity’s journey in a fallen world. The poem ends on a note of both sorrow and hope, emphasizing the themes of free will, redemption, and divine justice.
Theme 1: Free Will and Predestination
One of the central themes of Paradise Lost is the tension between free will and divine foreknowledge. Although God foresees the Fall of Man, He allows Adam and Eve to make their own choices, reinforcing the idea that true obedience must come from free will rather than coercion. Satan, too, exercises free will, choosing rebellion over submission. However, Milton suggests that while humans are free to choose, they must also bear the consequences of their actions. Through Adam and Eve’s eventual repentance, the poem emphasizes that free will also allows for redemption.
Theme 2: Good and Evil
Milton explores the complexities of good and evil, particularly through the character of Satan. Although Satan is the antagonist, he is portrayed with grandeur and charisma, leading some to view him as a tragic or even heroic figure. However, his downfall is driven by pride and ambition, showing that evil often disguises itself as noble defiance. Meanwhile, Adam and Eve’s sin is not an act of pure malice but of human weakness and desire for knowledge. Paradise Lost ultimately argues that true goodness lies in humility, obedience, and repentance, while evil stems from unchecked pride and the rejection of divine authority.