Seemingly not as intelligent as his former incarnation, this Satan needs to mumble Christ’s words to himself in a type of translation and at times engages in what some critics characterize as double talk, as in his explanation of his relationship to man: that Spirit unfortunate” (356– 357) who through “rash revolt” sacrificed his “happy Station” in heaven to be driven “from bliss to the bottomless deep” (359–361). Most critics agree this Satan does not mimic the far more confi dent, blunt, and illinformed Satan of Paradise Lost. Discussion focuses on not only Christ as a heroic figure, but also the romantic view of Satan as a type of hero, as well as antihero. In The First Book readers learn that the speaker intends “to tell of deeds / Above Heroic” (14–15) that have remained untold too long. While not as well known as Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667), to which it acts as sequel, this briefer epic has sparked much critical consideration. hereafter learn with awe / To dread the Son of God” (625–626).

Although Satan may control man from hell for a time, he remains defeated and tormented by Christ’s victory and will “. Milton reflects on Adam’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden by making clear, “for though that seat of earthly bliss be fail’d, / A fairer Paradise is founded now” (612–613). (526–530)īy the conclusion of the heroic epic the speaker informs the audience, “The Son of God, with Godlike force endu’d” (602) and “regain’d lost Paradise” (608). Milton intended the climax and the denouement, when the two characters of Christ and Satan realize the truth about one another, to conform to the recognition by hero and adversary that Aristotle considered essential to well-written tragedy.Īs Satan tells Christ in The Fourth Book,Īnd what he is his wisdom, power, intent,īy parle, or composition, truce, or league

In the first book Satan asks Christ to transform a stone into bread after fasting for 40 days, and in the second Satan extends the invitation to Christ to receive “all the kingdoms of the world” as a gift.

Milton preferred Luke’s version to that found in Matthew for the order of the three temptations, placing the temptation of the tower last and allowing for a dramatic conclusion. Written in four books, John Milton’s Paradise Regained ( 1671) tells the story of Christ’s temptation by Satan and ultimate victory, using as a historical basis the version of the tale found in the Gospel of Luke. Analysis of John Milton’s Paradise Regained

Paradise regained book