LANGUAGE IN INDIA

Strength for Today and Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Volume 23:12 December 2023
ISSN 1930-2940

Editors:
         Sam Mohanlal, Ph.D.
         B. Mallikarjun, Ph.D.
         A. R. Fatihi, Ph.D.
         G. Baskaran, Ph.D.
         T. Deivasigamani, Ph.D.
         Pammi Pavan Kumar, Ph.D.
         Soibam Rebika Devi, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Managing Editor & Publisher: M. S. Thirumalai, Ph.D.

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Revelations of the Divine:
Unravelling Enigma in Milton's Paradise Lost

Akhila S Koovackal and Dr. Venkata Ramani. Challa

Abstract

Through his most controversial yet prominent Epic titled "Paradise Lost" (1667), John Milton, the renowned English intellect and writer, addresses the ideology of free will and questions the existing hegemony of supreme power and dominance. It was written when people mindlessly followed the Church and the rules of the Monarch and, in utmost fear, paid heed to all the rules and norms that existed in society, ultimately leading to nothing more than a simple and unnoticed death. This research will also discuss the purpose of having a choice and how it all began initially. The character of the ‘fallen angel’ and how he is not seen as a pessimist but a transforming being moulded under the circumstances laid for him. This perspective will be analyzed thoroughly, and the way Milton takes a stand for Satan to give us readers a whole new angle of interpretation will also be dwelt upon and further examined in this paper. Moreover, his futuristic thinking and how his Epic still holds a firm ground in today's contemporary world will also be reviewed to highlight the necessity of such revolutionists in our history, which will be considered vital in this research.

Keywords: John Milton, Paradise Lost, Free will, Absolute Power, Choice, Revolutionists, Fear of Authority.

1. Introduction

Paradise Lost (1667) by John Milton is a bold expression of free will, individuality, and the right to seek freedom by choice. He wrote contrary to the hegemony of kings and monarchs of that time who were given the absolute authority to govern the nation. Milton firmly questioned this unchecked power in his renowned Epic. Milton was a devoted disciple of Oliver Cromwell, leader of the 'Republics' movement. His philosophy went against society's existing ethics, enticing Milton and further influencing him to create such a dubious Epic of that time. One of the critics stated that Milton’s goal in writing Paradise Lost was to write an epic that would capture the spirit and environment of his society and religion, much as Homer’s epics spoke for Greek civilization (Bourne 4-5).

His sole purpose for composing the whole Epic in 'blank verse' was to deliver the symbolic thought to his readers that writing in rhyme schemes is similar to being in “bondage," the same way how people of England were tied and bonded under their monarch during their reign. Here, Milton tried challenging the notion of blind faith governed by fear.

This is only the beginning part of the article. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE IN PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION.

Akhila S Koovackal
Research Scholar of English, Department of Languages
Presidency University, Bangalore 560064
AKHILA.20233ENG0011@presidencyuniversity.in

Dr. Venkata Ramani. Challa
Professor & HoD, Department of Languages
Presidency University, Bangalore 560064
venkata.ramani@presidencyuniversity.in
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