What are the differences between Beowulf and Paradise Lost?

Answer 1

There is a significant difference between the character of Satan in Dante's Divine Comedy and the character of Satan in Milton's Paradise Lost. Satan is portrayed as inhuman and animalistic being in the Divine Comedy and an intellectual character who could be sympathized with in Paradise Lost.

Answer 2

Both

Epic poems

Both authors opposed the Catholic Church

The Faerie Quenne

Classical/Spenserian stanza

Longest Poem written in English

Written for Queen Elizabeth (represented by the Faerie Quenne)

Anti Catholic purpose - Protestant protagonists metaphorically "battle" the Catholic church.

Red Cross is the hero (in book I) who does good

Written into 3 books and 12 cantos

Wanted to complete 12 books, but didn't.

Women are perceived as strong individuals, and also as deceitful, lustful creatures.

THEMES:

Importance of virtues

-Holiness, Temperance, Chasity, Friendship, Justice, and Courtesy.

Paradise Lost

Romantic/Blank Verse

Intertwines Greek mythology and the biblical references

Satan is the tragic hero who does evil

Written into 12 books

Little development with God

THEMES:

Obedience to God

The Fall of Man was Fortunate

Hierarchy in Nature

Answer 3

It seems to me that John Milton meant for Paradise Lost to be more of a pro-Protestantism and anti-Catholic work, and that he thought re-writing parts of The Bible, the all-important, central work of literature in both Catholicism and Protestantism, was therefore the best way to go about spreading his opinions. Milton spent much of his life in conflict with the Catholic Church, as many Protestants did, writing numerous pamphlets and essays throughout his life criticizing aspects of the Catholic Church (Milton believed that idolatry was rampant in the Catholic Church and that its priests were corrupt, among other things). Milton also implies in Book I ofParadise Lost that he doesn't think Catholicism explains the actions of God very clearly or well in saying that his purpose in writing the epic is to "justify the ways of God to men", so I believe that Milton wrote Paradise Lost in order to flesh out the story of the Fall of Man told in the Bible and make it more relatable.

Answer 4

"Beowulf" is an Old English epic poem that tells the story of a hero fighting supernatural creatures, while "Paradise Lost" is an English epic poem that explores the fall of man and the rebellion of Lucifer. "Beowulf" is based on Norse and Germanic mythology, while "Paradise Lost" draws heavily from Christian theology and biblical stories. The tone of "Beowulf" is heroic and celebrates bravery, while "Paradise Lost" has a more philosophical and contemplative tone.