Justifying the Ways of God to Men in Paradise Lost
Milton announces his subject (Man’s Disobedience) and the overall theme of his epic poem
(Justifying the ways of God to men) in the opening paragraph. Milton tells the epic story that
explains the place of men in the universe, their relationship with God, and the origin of suffering.
Man himself was to blame for suffering through “disobedience.”
Justifying God’s ways means Milton must chiefly demonstrate “providence,” that the nature of God
is to turn everything, even evil, to good, as when he creates earth and men to replace the bad angels
(VII, 602-618) or when he sends Christ to redeem fallen humans (III, 281-301). Some events may
seem cruel, such as the eviction of Adam and Eve from paradise after they sinned, but if one
understands the whole story, one sees God’s mercy at work (the fortunate fall XII, 469-478). This
differentiates God from Satan, the great egotist, who thinks of his own interest, and who has vowed
to revenge himself on God by turning all good to evil ( I, 162-65). On the surface, God may seem
arbitrary in setting and fulfilling the law, and Satan, reasonable in his rebellion. That is why the poet
is compelled to speak God’s case to us.
QUESTION:
1. Look at the description of Satan in the first book - if Satan is represented more alluring,
does it mean that Milton did not justify the ways of God?
2. Does all art come from Lucifer, even Milton’s art of epic poetry?
3. Does the poet’s voice contradict Satan’s voice and the voice of demons?
Did