Paradise Lost
Epic poem recounting humanity's fall from grace through Satan's deception of Eve in the Garden of Eden, preceded by Satan's rebellion against God in Heaven and followed by visions of mankind's future redemption through Christ. Milton explores themes of obedience, free will, divine justice, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Divisions
- Book I0 / 5
Satan and his rebel angels fall into Hell after their defeat by God's forces; Satan plots revenge by corrupting Man.
- Book II0 / 1
Satan's council in Hell determines to corrupt mankind; Satan journeys through Chaos to find the newly created world.
- Book III0 / 14
God foresees mankind's fall but promises redemption through Christ; Satan reaches the sun and deceives the angel Uriel.
- Book IV0 / 7
Satan discovers Adam and Eve in Paradise; he hides to tempt them while angels guard the garden against intrusion.
- Book V0 / 8
Adam and Eve awaken to worship; Raphael warns them of Satan's treachery and recounts the War in Heaven.
- Book VI0 / 6
Raphael continues the history of Satan's rebellion and his defeat by the Son of God with heavenly forces.
- Book VII0 / 8
Raphael relates God's creation of the world and all living creatures in six days, culminating with mankind.
- Book VIII0 / 6
Adam recounts his awakening and creation; Raphael warns against excessive love of Eve despite her beauty.
- Book IX0 / 9
Satan, disguised as a serpent, tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit; Adam chooses to fall with her.
- Book X0 / 10
God sends Christ to judge Adam and Eve; He pronounces sentence but shows mercy; Nature is corrupted.
- Book XI0 / 13
Michael shows Adam visions of mankind's future: Cain's murder, the Flood, and prophecies of Christ's redemption.
- Book XII0 / 9
Michael concludes the vision with prophecies of Christ's birth, ministry, death, resurrection, and final judgment.