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

worship to the devil. Adam’s time on the mountain is not such a test, but it does tax his courage. Notes
Likewise, Enoch’s ability to stand up for his beliefs shows the redemptive qualities of humankind.
The story of Noah shows that his unwavering belief in God helps to save the virtues of humankind.
Noah is given such an important place here because Milton, like many other Christian thinkers,
thought of him as a Christ figure: a single man whose virtue in the face of evil saves humankind.
From the stories of Enoch and Noah, Adam can recognize the power of devotion to God. These
visions, and Adam himself, demonstrate the path of greatness that prefigures the salvation of
humankind through Jesus’ sacrifice. These visions also demonstrate Milton’s belief that a true
measure of a person, from Adam up until modern times, is his or her virtuous relationship with
God.

22.5 Book – XII

22.5.1 Summary: Prologue and Invocation

Michael continues relating the story of the future of humankind to Adam. After the flood, humankind
develops from a “second stock”: Noah and his family. Humans now act more obediently to God
than humans before the Flood, offering sacrifices from their flocks and fields. However, several
generations later, a leader arrives with proud and ungodly ambitions. This upstart is Nimrod, a
tyrant who forces many men under his rule. He constructs the Tower of Babel in an attempt to reach
up to Heaven. As punishment, God decrees that men will now speak different languages and be
unable to understand each other. Adam agrees with Michael that no one should have dominion
over other people, who are by nature free. Michael qualifies this freedom: because of the fall, he
says, men only have true liberty when they obey “right reason,” or reason tempered by conscience.
Still, Michael adds, it remains a great sin for one person to take away the liberty of another.
Continuing his story, Michael explains that God chooses Israel as the one nation to rise above the
rest. He takes one person, Abraham, father of the Israelites, from a race that worships idols. At
God’s command, Abraham sets off from his native land and travels to Canaan, the Promised Land.
His descendants eventually move to Egypt, and become enslaved by Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt.
Finally, a man named Moses is born, and he eventually leads the people out of Egypt, through the
plagues brought down upon the Pharaoh. Michael tells how God allowed the Israelites to pass
through the Red Sea, then closed the waters around the Pharaoh’s army, which had come to recapture
the Israelites. The followers of Moses must travel through the desert to return to Canaan, but they
survive with the help of God.
Adam is much relieved to hear that God will bless a portion of humankind, after having it cursed
for so long. But he does not understand how all the laws given to these people can possibly be
obeyed, or how the Israelites are to remain just before God. Michael replies that they cannot remain
just, even if they obey the law, until a greater sacrifice is made. He explains that after generations,
the Israelites will turn more and more to sin, until God decides to strengthen their enemies. When
they repent, God will save them from these same enemies. After many different rulers, there will
come a king named David, and from his descendants will eventually come a Messiah, or chosen
one. This Messiah, also known as Jesus or the Son, will once again bring together Earth and Heaven.
However, he will have to suffer for it: he shall be hated by many while he lives and will be distrusted,
betrayed, and punished by death. However, the grave will not hold this Messiah for long, and
rising up he will defeat both Sin and Death, and bruise the head of Satan. His resurrection fulfills
the prophecy about the Son finally punishing Satan through his sacrifice. Adam worries that the
followers of Jesus will be persecuted, and Michael confirms that they will indeed be persecuted.
However, the Archangel says, from Heaven the Messiah will send down the Holy Spirit to provide
spiritual protection. But after the first followers die, corrupt leaders as well as good ones will enter
the church. Thus those who genuinely follow the truth will still be prosecuted, laments Michael: the
world will continue to accommodate evil and make it difficult for individuals to do good deeds.

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