Page 197 - DENG405_BRITISH_POETRY

British Poetry

Notes 2. In an attempt to defeat God and his angels, what do the rebel angels make?
(a) A Fortress (b) A Catapult
(c) A Large sword (d) A Cannon
3. According to Paradise Lost, which of the following does not created by God?
(a) The son (b) Adam and Eve
(c) Computers (d) He creates everything
4. Who does Milton name as his heavenly muse?
(a) Titania (b) Urania
(c) Virgil (d) Michael
5. What does Eve do when she first becomes conscious?
(a) Go in search of her mate (b) Talk to the animals
(c) Look at her reflection in a stream (d) Eat of the Tree of knowledge
Raphael’s account of our solar system displays Milton’s knowledge of the conflicting scientific
theories and beliefs of his time. Milton was well aware that the organization of the universe was
hotly disputed. Some astronomers thought that the universe revolved around the Earth, and others,
including Milton’s contemporary Galileo (to whom he alludes by name in Book I), felt that the
Earth revolved around the sun. While Galileo’s theory was widely denounced by religious
authorities, Milton does not take either side of the issue in Paradise Lost, having Raphael assert that
the debate is unimportant because it concerns matters that do not pertain to humankind’s relationship
with God.
Similarly, Raphael’s message to Adam about the limits of human knowledge functions as a warning
to scientists in Milton’s time. Many believed that science could yield incorrect and misleading answers
to questions about the universe. Milton argues that humankind should resist making theories about
the universe and other incomprehensible things, and focus rather on pragmatic issues of their daily
spiritual lives. Milton believed in the necessity of scientific questionings and pursuits, but he also
believed that the pursuit of truth through science would yield dangerous results. Truth, according
to Milton, should only be pursued through faith and religion; humans should tend to their more
Earthly practical matters and have faith that God will manage the metaphysical matters of the
universe.

21.5 Summary

• Raphael first describes the composition of the things God created on Earth. God gave differ-
ent kinds of substance to all living things.
• Eve’s dream, created by Satan’s whispering in her ear as she sleeps, foreshadows her ultimate
temptation and downfall.
• Milton uses Raphael’s story to present another of his unorthodox religious views.
• Satan’s army unveils the cannons the next day and bombards the good angels.
• The style of battle does not resemble the warfare of Milton’s day, but rather the feudal war-
fare of earlier epics.
• Raphael’s account of the world’s creation closely follows the biblical account of creation in
the first few chapters of Genesis.

21.6 Keywords

Feudal : According to, resembling, or denoting the system of feudalism.
Muse : Be absorbed in thought.

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