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Unit 22: Paradise Lost-I (Non-detailed Study): Discussion and Analysis-III

This moment of prayer is crucial because now humankind will not all go the way of Satan, because Notes
man produces what the devil could not: true sorrow and regret.
Milton gives Eve the ability to argue persuasively to Adam, showing her intelligence and talents
after all. Eve displays a new humility and grace when she repents after the fall. Her strength lies in
her ability to relate her feelings to Adam, feelings that Adam shares. Eve’s contemplation of suicide
is a sign of weakness, but after Eve’s moving speech, Adam is able to help see—and to help her
see—why they should not commit suicide. As they lose hope of Paradise, they witness the hope of
their race: God’s Son, Jesus. It is this hope that prevents the couple from taking their own lives
when they realize the extent of their punishment. They choose hope over despair. Milton resolves
their distinguished differences through a display of unity: Eve’s loving and emotional arguments
to stay together and Adam’s rational argument to repent help them begin to save humankind
together. Their similarities and teamwork, not their differences and occasional parity, allow them
to obey reason and survive.

22.4 Book – XI

22.4.1 Summary: Prologue and Invocation

God hears the prayers of Adam and Eve, inspired by his own grace. He allows his Son to act as an
advocate for humankind, and eventually pay for humankind’s sins. The Father then calls all the
angels of Heaven together, and announces his plans. He commands the Archangel Michael to go
down to Earth and escort Adam and Eve out of Paradise. They can no longer live in a pure place
now that they are impure. But through leading a good and moral life, they may be reunited with
God after their death. To make the news easier on them, God allows Michael to show Adam a vision
of what is to come in the future of humankind.
Adam anticipates that God has heard their prayers. He reassures Eve that she will be able to seek
revenge on Satan by being the mother of humankind. She still feels ashamed for bringing Sin and
Death into the world, and does not feel that she deserves to have such a role. Nevertheless, she
asserts, she will try to obey God and live peacefully in Paradise. Michael then flies down from
Heaven and tells them that they must leave Paradise. This news shocks and saddens them, even
though their death will be delayed so that they may live for many years. Michael comforts them
with the knowledge that all of the Earth, not just Paradise, has been given to them by God and is
under the eye of the Father. They are saddened to leave Paradise but know they must obey God’s
command. Adam laments that he will never be able to speak with God again, but Michael explains
that Adam can speak to God wherever he goes. The Archangel then puts Eve to sleep and takes
Adam up to a high hill to show him visions of humankind’s future.
From the highest hill in Paradise, Michael allows Adam to see nearly an entire hemisphere of the
Earth. Adam sees two men offering sacrifices, and watches in horror as one of them kills the other.
Michael explains that these men are Cain and Abel, the first sons of Adam and Eve. Adam is shocked
and dismayed at his first vision of death. The angel then shows him the other ways that death will
take the lives of men: disease, war, and old age. Adam asks if there is any alternative to death,
woefully declaring that he could not die too soon, but Michael advises him that obeying God and
living a virtuous life can allow people to live long and fruitful lives, so long as Heaven permits.
Next a vision appears of men and women enjoying dances, games, and amorous courting. Adam
assumes that this vision is a good portent, but Michael informs him that they are atheists who live
for pleasure, not for God, and that they will die as well. This image is followed by the appearance of
great armies, slaughtering men by the thousands and plundering cities. Michael tells how war will
be praised by violent men, and many terrible conquerors will be admired as heroes. One man,
Michael explains, will try to prevent these wars: Enoch. The other men shun him and threaten to
kill him, until God lifts him up and brings him safely to Heaven. The scene then changes to further

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