PARADISE LOST BOOKS 3 & 4: In the Meantime…

Guiding Questions for Readers

1) How does the Father’s assesment of Satan’s “problem” differ from Satan’s own? How does this make us re-read Books 1 and 2? Is there a lesson for self knowledge here – i.e. does this apply to more than merely Satan’s self-awareness?

2)Some readers find the Father (and Son’s) scenes and dialogue wooden or unrelatable compared to the dynamic and fascinating figure of Satan. Is this reaction fair? What accounts for it?

3)How does Uriel’s deception foreshadow the deception of Eve, and (looking ahead) why does it not result in the fall and ruin of Uriel?

4)How does Satan’s soliloquoy at the beginning of Book IV and his subsequent encounter with Paradise add a new dimension to the portrayal of Hell?

5) So… male and female in Milton. What do we think?!

6)The standoff between Satan and the good angels at the end of Book IV is like a Western shoot-em-up movie. Who wins the smack-talking contest? What is the overall verdict of this conflict? What literary purpose does it serve?

Highlights in the Text

(III. 212-216) “Say, heavenly powers, where shall we find such love?/ Which of ye will be mortal to redeem/ Man’s mortal crime, and just th’unjust to save?/ Dwells in heaven charity so dear?”

(III.681 -685) “So speak the false dissembler unperceiv’d;/ for neither man nor angel can discern/ Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks/ Invisible, except to God alone,/ By his permissive will, through heaven and earth.”

(IV. 375 – 387) Satan, addressing mankind:
“…league with you I seek,
And mutual amity, so strait, so close,
That I with you must dwell, or you with me
Henceforth my dwelling haply may not please,
Like this fair Paradise, your sense; yet such
Accept yoyr Maker’s work; he gave it me
Which I as freely give; Hell shall unfold
To entertain you two, her widest gates
And send forth all her kings; there will be room
Not like these narrow limits, to receive
Your numerous offspring; if no better place,
Thank Him who puts me forth to this revenge
On you, who wrong’d me not, for Him who wrong’d.”