Page 190 - DENG405_BRITISH_POETRY

Unit 21: Paradise Lost-I (Non-detailed Study): Discussion and Analysis–II

In Book VI, Milton presents his description of epic warfare. He follows many of the conventions of Notes
the great classic epics, such as the Iliad and the Aeneid, by giving graphic descriptions of battles and
wounds, highlighting the boasting give and take in individual battles, and developing massive scenes
of chaotic violence. However, Milton goes beyond his classical models and, in a sense, mocks the
nature of the warfare he describes. The reasons that lie behind this sense of mockery in Book VI have
been frequently discussed and disputed by critics and commentators. The general sense of those who
see a kind of mocking humor in the battle scenes is that Milton was dealing with two difficulties.
First, the combat in Heaven is between combatants who cannot be killed, and second there is no
doubt as to the outcome of the battle.
The prologue to Book VII is especially interesting on two counts. First, the Muse Milton invokes in
again Urania, the classical Muse of Astronomy, who is appropriate since the focus of this book is on
the creation of Earth and the heavens, and Book VIII will deal with planetary motions. But, once
again, just as he did in Book I, Milton disassociates Urania from the classical tradition and equates her
with Christian inspiration, literally (in Book I) with the Holy Spirit. This treatment of Urania epitomizes
one of Milton's goals in Paradise Lost — to compose a Christian epic. He brings together the pagan
classical tradition with Christian doctrine; the invocation and transmutation of Urania provides an
emblematic image of this goal.
Adam continues his conversation with Raphael in Book VIII. He asks Raphael about the movement of
the stars and planets. The angel says that it doesn't matter whether Earth moves or the heavens. God
has made some things unknowable. Ultimately, Raphael adds, the complexities of the universe are
beyond Man's comprehension and Man should be satisfied with what God allows him to know. Then
Adam tells Raphael, who was on a mission to guard Hell when God made Adam, the story of how
Man was created.

21.1 Book–V

21.1.1 Summary: Prologue and Invocation

Adam awakes from a peaceful sleep, but Eve appears to have been restless during the night. She
relates to him the disturbing dream she has had. She explains that in the dream she hears a voice
and follows it to the Tree of Knowledge. There, a creature who looks like an angel appears, takes a
fruit from the forbidden tree and tastes it. The angel tells Eve that she could be like the gods if she
eats too, but before she can try it, he vanishes and she returns to dreamless sleep. Adam is troubled
by the dream, but assures her that it is not necessarily a prediction of what will happen in the
future, because she still has the faculty of reason to control her actions. Comforted, they return to
their work and praise of God.
Meanwhile, in Heaven, God calls the Archangel Raphael to his side. He does not want Adam and
Eve to claim that the devil took them by surprise if they are lured into disobedience, so he instructs
Raphael to tell Adam about the danger in store for him. When Raphael arrives in Paradise, the
couple warmly welcomes him. They eat together, and Raphael explains the differences between
heavenly food and earthly food. After the meal, Eve leaves the scene and allows Raphael to speak to
Adam.
Raphael first describes the composition of the things God created on Earth. God gave different
kinds of substance to all living things. The highest substance is spirit, which God put into humankind.
Below humans are animals, which have living flesh but no spirit, followed by plants and then
inanimate objects. Each group possesses the attributes of the groups below it; for instance, whereas
animals have physical senses, humankind possesses all of the same senses plus the ability to reason.
Raphael says that man is the highest being on Earth because of his God-given ability to reason, and
warns Adam to always choose obedience to God. Adam wonders how any being created by God

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 183