What is the theme of Paradise Lost?

Answer 1

"Paradise Lost" is John Milton's poem about the fall of Man from the Garden of Eden. It begins with casting the rebellious angels, led by Satan, from heaven into hell, where Satan begins his next plan, to ruin God's most precious creation (man).

The poem is based almost entirely on Genesis. However, Milton depicts Satan in a much better light than would be expected. At the same time, there is little doubt left that obedience to God is important, and the reason Satan continues to fail is because he fails to realize both God's strength and compassion.

There is a free online study guide for "Paradise Lost" at PinkMonkey.com. See related link below.

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/barrons/paradis.asp

One of the most important things to recognize in "Paradise Lost" is how Satan is humanized. This is probably to point to humanity's tendency to err, and to draw some sort of sympathy for the devil. As the person above me points out, though, Milton's overriding point is that obedience to God is imperative. The sympathetic aspects of Satan, however, is one of the most significant achievements of this work.

Conversely, it could be argued that the ease with which a reader can sympathize with Satan actually illuminates one of Milton's over-arching themes, namely, that we are all sinners. Milton states very early in his text that he will attempt to "justify the ways of God to men." And, in the reader's struggle to understand God's ways, she reveals to herself her error. The attempt to understand God's will misses the point; God's will ought to be obeyed, whether understood or not. So, as the previous commentors have stated, yes, Milton goes to great lengths to humanize Satan. But looking at it another way, one could say that Milton, in fact, "Satanizes" his human readers.

Answer 2

The main themes of Paradise Lost include the struggle between good and evil, the consequences of disobedience or rebellion, the concept of free will, the complexity of human nature, and the nature of redemption. Milton explores these themes through the characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve.