Epic Poem Allegory

Paradise Lost
Author Year Published Original Language
John Milton 1667 English

MAIN CHARACTERS

A Long Way to Fall Written in the 17th century and set in biblical times, Paradise Lost is an
epic poem about God, Satan, Adam, and Eve. Delving into weighty
themes such as fate versus free will and good versus evil, it tells of
Adam and Eve's fall from innocence and Satan's war with God.

God Michael

Ruler of Heaven; Archangel; guides

all-knowing defender Adam and Eve out
of divine justice of Paradise
and free will

Adam Eve
First human created First woman;
by God; curious, beautiful, smart,
smart, and rational and easily tempted

Sin & Death Satan

Satan’s children; Ruler of Hell
their relationship and enemy of God;
serves as contrast to complicated
the Holy Trinity outcast

Symbols Paradise Lost

by the Numbers

Scales of Justice
Symbolizes God's 1652
all-knowing power and
ability to enact divine justice Year Milton went
completely blind

Tree of Knowledge
Symbolizes the temptation
of that which is forbidden 1671
by God
Year in which Milton
published Paradise
Regained
Adam’s Wreath for Eve
Symbolizes the “pure love”
Adam relinquishes for
physical lust for Eve
10,565
Lines of verse in
Paradise Lost

Themes
Obedience & Rebellion Fate & Free Will Good & Evil

When Satan disobeys
God's demands for
obedience, he is cast
out of Heaven and begins
a rebellion in Hell.
God claims to give humans Adam and Eve are "good"
free will, yet he also knows until their curiosity gets the
everything before it happens. better of them and
introduces them to evil.

Author
Born in London, Milton ranks among England's most influential
writers, alongside Shakespeare. He traveled extensively in
Europe prior to writing Paradise Lost. During his time of travels
he wrote antimonarchical pamphlets on religion and politics,
some as Secretary of Foreign Tongues in Oliver Cromwell's
republican Commonwealth.
JOHN MILTON
1608–74

etter to reign in Hell

than serve in Heaven.
Satan, Book One

Sources: Dartmouth University, Encyclopaedia Britannica,

Morgan Library & Museum, Poetry Foundation

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