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The Western Canon Mailing List
Moderator: Paul John Barnette Jr.
Activation Date: March 8, 1997
Current Date:  June 2, 1997
Current Membership: 59
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Some final comments on Milton's Paradise Lost.

Books X-XII

Book X is a worthy follow up to book IX. In it Adam and Eve
receive judgment from the Son of God, Sin and Death leave
Hell to rule on earth, Satan and his horde are turned into
snakes in hell, Adam and Eve experience the consequences
of their fall, contemplate suicide, but decide to live with
the burden of their sin.

At the beginning of book XI, Michael is sent to earth by God
to lead Adam and Eve out of paradise, but before he does so
Michael relates to Adam the future history of the human race.
This continues until the end of book XII, when Adam and Eve are
finally escorted out of paradise. I think that Milton adds this
historical analysis to his poem in order to help him in "justifying
the ways of God to man". It provides an avenue wherein Milton can
make his case for God, but as far as the drama is concerned, it is
totally unnecessary to the story. 

I have three comments that I would like to make before leaving
Milton behind. The first two concern the work as a whole. The
third is specific to book XII.

(1)I find Milton's attitude toward women to be very negative 
throughout the poem. A feminist literary critic would have a 
field day with Paradise Lost. This negative attitude results,
I believe, from three causes; the nature of the society in which
Milton lived, Milton's religious convictions, and Milton's own
personal experiences with women. I suspect the latter because
Milton harps on women's ability to use their sexuality to influence
men against their own good judgment, and I believe that Milton
himself was very susceptible to this type of influence.

(2)I find Milton concept of heroism to also be colored by his
personal experiences. Milton's view is very close to the martyr
as hero. He admires those would stand up for what they think is right,
regardless of the consequences. Abdiel, Enoch and Noah are all 
given as examples of this concept. I do not find it hard to imagine
that Milton viewed himself in this fashion, especially since he is
writing Paradise Lost after the defeat of Cromwell and Charles II
was currently sitting on the throne.

(3)In book XII, Milton's points out an aspect of human history that
grabbed my attention. Michael states that the church itself will
be as susceptible to sin as the rest of humanity. There will be bad
men as well as good men carrying the sign of the cross, and this will
remain so until the day of judgment. Of course, there is some of
Milton's anti-Catholic sentiment coming out here. He seems to be 
referring to the corruption the Catholic church experienced during
the late middle ages that eventually led to the revolt of Protestantism.
However, I also get the impression that Milton thinks this warning 
applies to the Protestant church as well. In this age of tele-evangelism,
I find Milton's comments on this matter to be somewhat comforting.

Please post any comments that you may have, either on Milton or on
the current June selection, Descartes.

Paul John Barnette Jr.


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