We want to know what your concepts of Heaven, Hell and Paradise are, so visit our Guestbook and use the following format:

"My idea of Heaven is..."

"My idea of Hell is..."

"My idea of Paradise is..."

Hell and Chaos 

1.  In his descriptions of Hell, Milton often uses paradoxes to describe Hell.  Examples:

...yet from those flames

No light, but rather darkness visible

Serv’d onely to discover sights of woe (I.62-64)

...the parching Air

Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of Fire (II.594-595)

A Universe of death, which God by curse

Created evil, for evil only good,

Where all life dies, death lives (II.621-623)

What is the purpose of using these paradoxes?  Does Milton also use paradoxes to describe Heaven, or only Hell?

2.  In Book II, we see the devils exploring their prison of Hell. Milton refers to them as “adventurous.” Are there parallels to the “adventurous” colonization that was occurring during the 17^th century? If so, is Milton implying the colonization process was tainted or evil?

3. In what ways does Milton tell the reader that the geography of Chaos is a reflection of Chaos the King? (hint: Book II)

4. Critic Robert Adams states that “[c]haos is neutral as between good and evil; all he likes is disorder…Chaos is, so to speak, beyond good and evil” (Adams, 621). Do you agree or disagree? Find specific passages to back your claim.

Earth After the Fall

Book X:

1. We all know the fall of man is the key part to Paradise Lost, but how would Milton interpreted the story if Adam and Eve did not eat the fruit? (or if it had been Adam who took the initial fruit and ate it, hence being the man's fault?)

2. What new depiction do we (the reader) receive about God and his character from book X?

3. With Jesus as the barrier of the curse how does this affect His portrayal as being the redeemer later in Biblical time?

4. What is the significance of Milton using the title "Our Great Author" to describe Satan in line 236, but also to describe God in previous books?

5.  How do Milton's interpretation of the curses on Adam, Eve and Satan affect generations to come and the present society Milton was living in?

6.  Jesus all throughout the Bible and other religious beliefs was a man/prophet/God who was loving and genorous, so why does Milton use him as the one to state inequality of men and women? (line 145 -155)

Heaven

1. How is Heaven a reflection of God's character?

2. How is Milton's Heaven different from other depictions of Heaven?

3. Do Milton's descriptions of Heaven seem accurate?

Eden

1. Is Milton's paradise a perfect world?

2. In what ways is Milton's paradise similar and different from Heaven?

3. Does Milton show Adam and Eve as content when they are first created in their paradise?

1. What other Creation theories do you think Milton pulled ideas from?

2. In what other ways is the Universe depicted in Popular Culture?

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