Question

7 . Discuss the theme and characterization of“Paradise Lost”. The theme and characterization of Paradise Lost .Paradise Lost is Milton′s masterpiece . Its story is takenfrom the Bible, about“the fall of man”, that is, how Adamand Eve are tempted by Satan to disobey God by eating theforbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, and how theyare punished by God and driven out of Paradise . In Milton′s words, the purpose of writing the epic is to“justify theways of God to men”, but apparently with Satan as hismouthpiece, Milton is uttering his intense hatred of tyrannyin the capacity of the Revolutionary .By depicting Satan andhis followers as well as their fiery utterance and brave ac-tions, Milton is showing a Puritan′s revolt against the dicta-tor and against the established doctrines of the Catholics andthe Anglican Church .In the poem God is no better than a cruel and selfishdespot, seated on a throne with a chorus of angels about himsinging songs to praise him . His long speeches are not pleas-ing at all . He is cruel and unjust in punishing Satan . His Archangel Raphael is only a bore . His angels are stupid .ButSatan is by far the most striking character in the poem, whorises against God and, though defeated, still seeks for re-venge .Adam and Eve embody Milton′s belief in the powers ofman . God denied them craving for knowledge . It is thislonging for knowledge that opens before mankind a wideroad to intelligent and active life . It has been noted by manycritics that Milton′s revolutionary feelings made him forgetreligious orthodoxy . The angels who surround the God nev-er think of expressing any opinions of their own, and theynever seem to have any opinions of their own . This image ofGod surrounded by such angels resembles the court of an ab-solute monarch . But Satan and his followers, who freelydiscuss all issues in council, remind us a republican Parlia-ment .

Accepted Answer

Part Ⅴ n The Period of Revolution and Restoration

正面	7 . Discuss the theme and characterization of“Paradise Lost”.
《》	Part Ⅴ n The Period of Revolution and Restoration
背面	The theme and characterization of Paradise Lost . Paradise Lost is Milton′s masterpiece . Its story is taken from the Bible, about“the fall of man”, that is, how Adam and Eve are tempted by Satan to disobey God by eating the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, and how they are punished by God and driven out of Paradise . In Milton′ s words, the purpose of writing the epic is to“justify the ways of God to men”, but apparently with Satan as his mouthpiece, Milton is uttering his intense hatred of tyranny in the capacity of the Revolutionary .By depicting Satan and his followers as well as their fiery utterance and brave ac- tions, Milton is showing a Puritan′s revolt against the dicta- tor and against the established doctrines of the Catholics and the Anglican Church . In the poem God is no better than a cruel and selfish despot, seated on a throne with a chorus of angels about him singing songs to praise him . His long speeches are not pleas- ing at all . He is cruel and unjust in punishing Satan . His Archangel Raphael is only a bore . His angels are stupid .But Satan is by far the most striking character in the poem, who rises against God and, though defeated, still seeks for re- venge . Adam and Eve embody Milton′s belief in the powers of man . God denied them craving for knowledge . It is this longing for knowledge that opens before mankind a wide road to intelligent and active life . It has been noted by many critics that Milton′s revolutionary feelings made him forget religious orthodoxy . The angels who surround the God nev- er think of expressing any opinions of their own, and they never seem to have any opinions of their own . This image of God surrounded by such angels resembles the court of an ab- solute monarch . But Satan and his followers, who freely discuss all issues in council, remind us a republican Parlia- ment .

God Satan Angels Paradise Milton′S Discuss Theme Characterization