In the Year 1652 John Milton went completely blind while trying to write an epic poem that would justify the ways of God to men. The action of writing Paradise Lost was a desperate attempt to draw people back to God as they began to flock towards science. In this attempt Milton tried to explain why God would allow evil to exist, and harm his people. Despite Milton’s efforts to paint God in a good light the readers of his poem have interpreted his writing in several different ways. Some who study Milton create the opinion that God is a cold, merciless, and wicked thing that man created. Others develop the idea that God is a “God of ‘not knowing”, and that man struggles to grasp the concept of an all powerful deity. Luckily for Milton he did
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Milton uses his God to explain that he wants his people to have the freedom of choice. In Paradise Lost God is quoted saying that he made his people, “...just and right, sufficient to have stood, though free to fall,” (Book 3, Lines 98-99). In those lines Milton explains that God will not prevent the movements of evil so that his people have the freedom to choose. When Satan enters Edan God does not try to stop him with his full force. He aims to test Adam and Eve’s strength by allowing Satan to inflict his deception on them. Adam and Eve both fail the test and that saddens God, but it also shows that the couple were not loyal to him. Biblical writers support this idea by saying, “genuine love cannot exist unless freely given through free choice to accept God’s love or to reject it,” (McDowell) and thus God allows evil to exist and enter Edan. Milton finally allows readers to understand his purpose for writing Paradise Lost, and his passion for it.
Milton had written Paradise Lost to justify the ways of God to men, and did so poorly. His inability to involve God in the story more affected the readers ability to connect with the ruler. Milton’s other shortcomings paint God in a negative light and creates a cold feeling radiating from God himself. The only area in which Milton successfully defends God is with the idea that he intends for all his people to have free will, and the choice to fall if they wish. Overall Milton failed to achieve his goal, and instead made God appear to be the antagonist of his
Milton uses his God to explain that he wants his people to have the freedom of choice. In Paradise Lost God is quoted saying that he made his people, “...just and right, sufficient to have stood, though free to fall,” (Book 3, Lines 98-99). In those lines Milton explains that God will not prevent the movements of evil so that his people have the freedom to choose. When Satan enters Edan God does not try to stop him with his full force. He aims to test Adam and Eve’s strength by allowing Satan to inflict his deception on them. Adam and Eve both fail the test and that saddens God, but it also shows that the couple were not loyal to him. Biblical writers support this idea by saying, “genuine love cannot exist unless freely given through free choice to accept God’s love or to reject it,” (McDowell) and thus God allows evil to exist and enter Edan. Milton finally allows readers to understand his purpose for writing Paradise Lost, and his passion for it.
Milton had written Paradise Lost to justify the ways of God to men, and did so poorly. His inability to involve God in the story more affected the readers ability to connect with the ruler. Milton’s other shortcomings paint God in a negative light and creates a cold feeling radiating from God himself. The only area in which Milton successfully defends God is with the idea that he intends for all his people to have free will, and the choice to fall if they wish. Overall Milton failed to achieve his goal, and instead made God appear to be the antagonist of his