Eden / Paradise
"Witness this new-made world, another Heaven
From Heaven-gate not far, founded in view
On the clear hyaline, the glassy sea;
Of amplitude almost immense, with stars
Numerous, and every star perhaps a world
Of destined habitation; but thou knowest
Thir seasons: among these the seat of Men,
Earth, with her nether ocean circumfused,
Thir pleasant dwelling-place" (Book 7, 617-625).
Introduction
Eden is one of the most important places in "Paradise lost". It is in Eden that the battle for humans takes place. Milton uses his descriptions of Eden to set the scene for the actions that are going to take place.
Texual Occurrences
Eden means, “delight” or “place of pleasure”. This paradise is not only beautiful to admire, but Eden is created to stimulate all aspects of the body (Loewenstein 83).
“To all delight of human sense expos’d
In the narrow room Natures whole wealth, yea more
A Heav’n on Earth, for blissful Paradise” (Book 4, 207-209)
Eden is not a place to be idle, but Adam and Eve are active in their life at Eden (Loewenstein 84).
"Created in his Image, there to dwell
And worship him, and in reward to rule
Over his Works, on Earth, in Sea, or Air,
And multiply a Race of Worshippers
Holy and just: thrice happie if they know
Thir happiness, and persevere upright" (Book 7, 627-633).
God created this paradise for humans. He wants them to rule over it and be happy. He wants them to work and take care of the garden, worship him, and to reproduce. Eden is now to be a reflection of Adam and Eve, because they care for it. They are perfect in their paradise, just as God is perfect and Heaven reflects his image.
Traditions
In Milton’s poems such as Lycidas (click for full text) he creates a pastoral view of the world (Loewenstein 84). He uses this same concept in his creation of Eden. He creates a pastoral landscape.
“Betwixt them Lawns, or level Downs, and flocks
Grasing the tender herb, were interpos’d
Or palmie hillock, or the flourie lap
Of som irriguous Valley spread her store,” (Book VI, 251-254).
Milton uses some traditions in creating his works. Through this pastoral view, Milton describes Eden as innocent world (Loewenstein 84).
Scholarly Views
Joseph Warton said of Milton’s Eden, “…roses without thorns…but having no relative beauty as pictures of nature, nor any absolute excellence as derived from truth, they can only please those who when they read exercise no faculty but fancy and admire because they do not think” (Knott 32). Therefore, he thinks that Milton’s description is beautiful, but he does not think that it is accurate.
The Garden had to be "conventional, 'immemorial' rather than original, to make us know that the garden is found." C.S. Lewis said this. He thought that Milton's Eden was dead on in description because by defining and detailing the place, not mystifying or obscuring it in his description made the Garden of Eden a historic place, not one of legend.
Historical Views of Eden
Milton's created Eden uniquely compared with other historical Edens. Milton wanted to create paradise perfect, but still believable. His ideas are different from medieval versions of Eden, which show jeweled gates, palaces, and fountains (Knott 33). Milton focuses more on nature.
Milton uses the Bible as a reference in his creation of Eden. But there is not a lot of description of the actual landscape. He, therefore has free reign to create paradise as he thinks it should be. He does, however,
Where is the Garden of Eden?
The Garden of Eden has been sought after for centuries. There are many different ideas of where it was located.
According to the rivers described in Genesis, here is a map of where the garden was thought to be:
Number of visitors: 
Eden Editor: Cari Gibson
| Site Map for Paradise Lost Wikis |
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.