The comparison between John Milton's "Paradise Lost" and its basis on The Bible.

Of Things Invisible to Mortal SightThe Holy Bible is in many ways a story of origins. The history recounted both in the Old and New Testaments has at its base the perception of a fallen humanity; beginning with the fall from Eden and the nature of evil, to the means of regaining Gods grace and the discussion of free will, it emphasizes humanitys inability to fully comprehend the nature of God and of the universe. In writing his epic Paradise Lost, John Milton is fully aware of his limitations as a mortal man; however, in an attempt to transcend the finite to the infinite, to describe the indescribable and to understand the unknown, Milton bases his arguments on Biblical theology to show that mankind has fallen from immortality to mortality and that its fallen nature prevents its physical and intellectual sight from comprehending the spiritual realm. Milton bases his arguments on numerous Biblical references where God opens peoples sight to the spiritual realm. Furthermore, Milton believes that Adam and Eves fall is also a fall into time; that is to say, the vision of history has become a linear one, whereas Gods perspective is one outside of time. Therefore, Milton finds it necessary to describe the fall of Satan, before that of Adam and Eve, and the impact it has had on history. Although this is his personal addition to the account described in the Holy Bible, Milton uses it to bring into evidence the limitations of the human mind. By comparing the nature and abilities of the demons with that of humanity, Milton shows that the greatest of human works or pride is pale in comparison to an invisible, spiritual world. Milton presents the universe and the Garden of Eden through the viewpoint of Satan to emphasize that the audience too is fallen. In many ways the audience must resist sympathising with Satan who has committed the ultimate sin: the attempt to gain equality with God. Thus, Miltons ultimate aim is a discussion of theodicy and soteriology. Milton brings into

Bibliography: ilton, John. The Complete Poetry of John Milton. New York; Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc. , 1971.