Lost in Paradise Lost ~ Mackenzie Jackson

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In all honesty, I really struggled to understand Paradise Lost by John Milton. Due to it’s intense language and the fact that it is a poem, I had to read the chapters several times. I was also slightly confused by the set up of the book, but from what I understood, these were my thoughts...
Although I did notice in chapter four that Milton allows the readers to Satan’s internal thoughts and feelings, these thoughts conflict with his actions that he is actually displaying. Milton is also displaying Satan as a somewhat sympathetic character. After reading this section a few times, I thought about how sometimes we, as humans, are in the complete wrong yet we try to get the sympathy of others. We sometimes try to look on others situation and steal their joy. I completely realize we are not even close to Satan’s evil, we are human and have thoughts of evil.
I also understood that in chapter six, Raphael is warning Adam of Satan’s intentions. I thought of Mathew 16:23 when “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me.” Like God did for Matthew, he sent someone to save Adam and show him towards the light rather than darkness. Another thought I had was that sometimes God warns us. I have been in simple situations where God has warned me and thought how great his love really is. Although we do not deserve it He continues to provide.
Mackenzie Jackson
I commented on Caroline and Madison’s post.

Comments

Logan Turner said…
I like the point you made about how we aren't as evil as Satan is, but yet, we still have evil thoughts ourselves. Satan's human-like characteristics are the driving point in the tragic part of his story. His nature led to his downfall and is preventing him from finding redemption. The very nature that took Satan down, is the very nature that drives us as humans. Because of his similarities to humanity, he is a sympathetic character that we are meant to feel sorry for, but not forgive. We see some part of ourselves in him, and it's scary. It's supposed to be scary.
September 2, 2019 at 1:43 PM
Stephen Davis said…
I agree with what you said about humans being similar to Satan, although to a lesser extent, when it comes to fishing for sympathy for things which are no ones fault but our own. With Milton portraying Satan as a sympathetic character, it is only natural to start comparing ourselves to the supposed prince of darkness.
September 2, 2019 at 4:30 PM
Addison Zanda said…
Satan always tends to linger around us waiting for that moment to swoop in and fill our soul with a more evil desire. It's crazy to see how we look up to a God for direction/ guidance to lead us to paradise. I don't think we try to technically steal others joy that they have, but we cling to them to get help so that their joy can fill us too.
September 2, 2019 at 5:27 PM
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