Paradise Lost

John Milton's "Paradise Lost" can be described as an epic poem of Christian nature. The theme of Milton's poem is not that of a common epic poetry of war, but more or less deals with the fall of man from righteousness. Most people would more than likely compare this poem to a more common epic poem, like Odyssey, to prove its validity of being an epic poem because it doesn't follow the usual demands. The reason it may be difficult to prove the validity of "Paradise lost" is because unlike other epic poetry it speaks about two divine characters having phenomenal influence, it ends unhappily, and it is not about war but, man's loss.

"Paradise Lost" starts from the middle of the story. It begins with a journey to hell where we see one of the superhuman characters, Satan, along with his followers who are recovering from defeat from war against God, another of the divine characters. Satan and his followers are enraged and decide that they must figure out a way to defeat God. Satan goes to explore God's new world disguised as a serpent, where he explores and begins to plot his revenge. Satan gains entrance into the Garden of Eden, where he finds Adam and Eve and becomes jealous of them. He overhears them speak of God's commandment that they should not eat the forbidden fruit. Here is where Satan sees his chance for revenge.

Satan gains access into paradise by entering the body of a serpent. As he enters paradise in his new form, he finds Eve alone in the garden. He then tests Eve's strength and obedience to God, as he carefully persuades her to eat a fruit from the tree, by complimenting her beauty and godliness. He tells Eve that God actually wants her and Adam to eat from the tree, and that his order is merely a test of their courage. At first Eve hesitates, but then gives in to Satan's words and eats from the tree. After eating the tree she new she had sinned, and then searched for Adam. Adam realizing what she has done decided that he too would eat from the tree so that he would not be without her in paradise. This is what depicts mans fall from grace, as Adam and Eve were punished by being vanished from Paradise. Doesn't seem like such a happy ending.

With this brief summary of what occurs in the Milton great epic "Paradise Lost", it can be concluded that this poem possesses essential characteristics that is demanded of an epic poem.