Dr. Rabindra Nath Sharma Professor & Head Department of English, P.P.U, Patna. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… M.A ( English ) Sem – 1 C.C- 1 Unit V (Paradise Lost)

………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Topic : Discuss ‘Paradise Lost’ as an epic ?

Ans : ‘The Paradise Lost’ of is one of the greatest epics that English literature has produced . In the words of David Daiches :

“ Paradise Lost is a richer profounder and mature epic.”

C.M.Bowra has also observed : “ Paradise Lost” possesses all familiar features of the epic.”

Really, ‘Paradise Lost’ , by its nature and structure is a great epic. This epic satisfies all the elements required for a great epic. Milton composed ‘Paradise Lost’ in accordance with the established classical rules and conventions as laid down by Aristotle and practiced by in and in Aeneid. About the heroic design of the poem Milton himself says :

“ Since first this subject for heroic song pleased me long choosing and beginning late ?

Unlike the ‘Iliad’ and the ‘Odyssey’ of Homer, ‘Paradise Lost’ is essentially a literary epic but in conception , design and execution it far surpasses the ‘Aenied’ of Virgil and ‘The Divine Comedy of Dante’. According to Aristotle an epic has the following constituent elements – Fable, Probable and Marvelous theme , characters , machinery, Episodes, integrity, sentiments and grand style.

Fable or Story : Fable or story is an important element of the epic which illustrates and establishes the theme or moral of the poet. Addison says , “ The first thing to e considered in epic poem is the fable.”

In ‘Paradise Lost , there is unity of action. Milton opens ‘Paradise Lost’ with an infernal council plotting the fall, which is the action he proposed to celebrate, and casts the great action which proceeded it – the war in heaven and the creation into the fifth, sixth and seventh books, by way of episode , in order to preserve the unity of the principle action. Its action is entire, as it satisfies Aristotle’s condition that it should consist of a beginning, a middle, and an end. The action of ‘Paradise Lost’ is contrived in hell, excuted upon earth and punished by heaven. The entire action of ‘Paradise Lost’ has the stamps of grandeur and greatness about it. Milton’s subject is greater than Homer’s ‘Iliad’ and Virgil’s ‘Aenid’, it does not determine the fate of single person or nation, but of the whole human race.

“ I may assert Eternal providence

And justify the way of god to men.”

Almost all epic writers have invoked their favoured god or goddess to help in their great adventure. Milton also invoked his muse for help so that his work might be completed :

“ O spirit, that dost prefer

Before all temples the upright heart and pure.

Instruct me, for thou know’st,”

Further he ( Milton ) prays :

“What in me is dark.

Illumine, what is low raise and support.”

Theme : According to Aristotle the theme of an epic must be probable and marvelous. The theme of ‘Paradise Lost’ – the fall of man, according to Hallam is “the finest ever chosen for heroic poetry, it is also managed by Milton with remarkable skill.” The theme of ‘Iliad’, ‘Odyssey’ and ‘Aeneid’ is limited and national in character whereas, the theme of ‘Paradise Lost’ is universal and international in character. It has religious, spiritual and human interest at the same time. From the religious point of view, the poet has justified ‘ the way of God to man’ and ‘asserted the eternal providence of him’. From the spiritual point of view, the poem exhibits its struggle between evil and good, the corruption of human heart and spiritual regeneration of man. On the human level the ‘Paradise Lost’ deals with the problem of suffering, struggle between passion and reason and the question of free will. Dr. Johnson observes :

“ This poem has by the nature of its subject,

The advantage above all others that it is

Universally and perpetually interesting.”

The horizon of this epic is very vast. The scene of action is universal space. The time represented is eternity. The characters are God and His creatures. Coleridge has rightly remarked :

“We dwell on the excellence of Paradise Lost in as much as it represents the region of evil , and the combat of evil and good, it contains matter of deep interests to all mankind as forming the basis of philosophy what so ever.” Characters : The characters of ‘Paradise Lost’ are human as well as superhuman. Milton mentions thirty odd angels but only four have been in real individuality. Raphael is kind and sociable. Michael is stern and didactic, Satan and followers Beelzebub, Blial, Mozozh are all coned by the lofty imagination of the poet and have gigantic personality. Seeing Adam and Eve in their beauty and innocence, we expect in the worldly of Hamlet, what ‘a piece of work is man’.

Loftiness of Thought : - The ‘Paradise Lost’ possesses loftiness of thought and sublimity of sentiments. The credit of Milton lies that he had rendered supernatural powers as human beings and ascribed to them human sentiments. But the central sentiment of the book is the moral sentiment. The poet has demonstrated his loyalty to God and he tried his best to vindicate the ways of God to man.

Blank Verse / Style : - Milton has used the medium of blank verse to achieve sublimity and grandeur. David Daiches has rightly remarked :

“ No epic poet was a master of such a variety of styles as Milton.”

The poetic lines of the grand style of Milton move with sonority and grandeur like the seawaves. Plain familiar words, in their natural order imparts simplicity, lucidity and dignity to his style –

“ The mind is its own place and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.

The form of ‘Paradise Lost’ also bears witness to Milton’s mastery in the handling of a complex material and his extraordinary power of organization – both of which are essential traits of an epic poet. Thus Milton is one of the greatest epic – poets and his ‘paradise Lost’ is the greatest epic of English language. Dryden has observed :

“ Three poets in three distant Ages born,

Greece , Italy, and England did adorn ,

the first in Loftiness of thought surpast

The next in majesty, in both the last,

The Force of Nature could no further go

To make a third she joined the other.”

………………xxxxx……………