TL;DR
In the fourth book of Paradise Lost, Satan enters Eden and takes the form of a serpent to begin his temptation of Eve. Eve, deceived by Satan’s flattery and lies, eats the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge and shares it with Adam. Their disobedience results in the Fall of Man and banishment from Paradise.
Table of contents
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Writing Background
Paradise Lost was written during a period of great personal and political upheaval for Milton. In 1649, the English monarchy was overthrown and Charles I was executed. Milton, a staunch supporter of the Commonwealth, served as Latin Secretary to the Council of State and later to the Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell. However, after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Milton was dismissed from his post and his writings were suppressed. Paradise Lost was published in 1667, and it was met with mixed reviews. However, the poem has since come to be regarded as one of the greatest works of English literature.
Author’s Introduction
John Milton (1608-1674) was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State and later under the Protectorate. He wrote at a time of religious flux and political upheaval, and his poetry reflects the intense debates of the era. Milton’s most famous work, Paradise Lost, is an epic poem in blank verse consisting of twelve books. The poem tells the biblical story of the Fall of Man, and it explores themes of good and evil, free will, and the nature of God.
Key Insights
- Satan enters Eden and takes the form of a serpent.
- Satan tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.
- Eve eats the fruit and shares it with Adam.
- Adam and Eve are banished from Paradise.
Chapter Summary
- Satan enters Eden and takes the form of a serpent.
- Satan tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge.
- Eve eats the fruit and shares it with Adam.
- Adam and Eve are banished from Paradise.
- The archangel Michael comforts Adam and Eve and tells them about the future redemption of mankind.
Conclusion
The fourth book of Paradise Lost is a pivotal moment in the poem. It is the point at which Satan’s plan to tempt Adam and Eve succeeds, and it leads to the Fall of Man. The poem goes on to explore the consequences of the Fall, and it ends with a message of hope and redemption.
Others
Paradise Lost has been the subject of much critical discussion and debate. Some critics have argued that the poem is misogynistic, while others have praised it for its exploration of complex themes such as free will and the nature of evil.