Summary of Milton's Paradise Lost, by John Milton

Dive into the cosmic battle of good and evil in Milton's 'Paradise Lost'. Experience the consequences of temptation and the journey of Adam and Eve.

Ah, Paradise Lost, where John Milton decided to take a casual stroll through the Garden of Eden and, spoiler alert, it did not end well. This classic epic poem-yes, it's a poem, not a light read for your next book club-offers readers a deep dive into the cosmic battle between good and evil, all with a side of angst and philosophy that would make even the most devoted emo kid jealous.

Our story kicks off with Satan, who's basically having a really bad day. After getting kicked out of Heaven-rude!-he decides that being the grumpy king of Hell is a far better gig. And honestly, he's not wrong; Hell has its own charm, like having all the freedom to nap and brood without the annoying company of angels. But being Satan isn't just about pouting; he's got plans! His mission? To ruin God's newest pet project-humanity-because nothing says "I'm petty" quite like trying to sabotage the creation of man.

Enter Adam and Eve, the original power couple, living it up in Eden like it's the ultimate vacation paradise. They have everything they could ever want-except some basic impulse control. Milton gives us the juicy lowdown on their immaculate life, complete with a delightful garden (minus the actual gardener), where they spend their days frolicking and naming animals. Sounds fun, right? Wrong. The couple gets bored because, apparently, paradise doesn't have Netflix.

Satan, being the charming tempter he is, shows up, disguised as a sneaky snake, and convinces Eve that an apple from the Tree of Knowledge is the snack they really need. Because who wouldn't want some forbidden fruit? This leads to the ultimate case of buyer's remorse, as Adam and Eve indulge in the apple and find out that knowledge comes with the price tag of consequence (surprise!). Next thing you know, they're hiding from God and experiencing existential dread for the first time.

Now, let's talk about consequences-like being kicked out of Eden, which is a major bummer, and losing the chance for eternal bliss. Thanks, Eve. Their expulsion from paradise is more than just a punishment; it's a fundamental shift in the narrative of humanity, which Milton lovingly turns into a saga of struggle, guilt, and the worst case of FOMO ever.

Milton also takes us on philosophical detours, making us ponder free will versus predestination-basically, are we making our own choices, or is someone else pulling the strings? As if that wasn't enough, the poem is filled with vivid descriptions that will make you think that Milton had a side gig as an art critic, especially with Gustave Doré's illustrations lighting up this edition. If you ever wanted to visualize sin in its glorious technicolor horror, you're in for a treat!

In conclusion, Paradise Lost is a spiritual and psychological rollercoaster that whisks you through the joys of creation, the dangers of temptation, and the repercussions of a snack gone horribly wrong. So grab your favorite apple-flavored treat and enjoy the ride, just remember: sometimes knowing too much isn't a wonderful thing!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.