Beauty And The Beast Of Paradise Lost Chapter 17
The Context of Paradise Lost Chapter 17
Paradise Lost is a renowned epic poem written by John Milton in the 17th century. The poem narrates the biblical story of the fall of man, with Adam and Eve as the central characters. Chapter 17 of Paradise Lost is a significant section of the poem that depicts the transformation of the beautiful Garden of Eden into a beastly land, after Adam and Eve sinned by eating the forbidden fruit.
The chapter starts with Raphael, an archangel, warning Adam about Satan's evil intentions and how he plans to corrupt humanity. Raphael also advises Adam to stay obedient to God's commands and avoid Satan's temptations. However, despite Raphael's advice, Adam and Eve fall prey to Satan's deception and eat the forbidden fruit. This act leads to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden and the transformation of the once-beautiful paradise into a beastly land.
The Beauty of the Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden is a symbol of beauty and perfection in Paradise Lost. It is described as a place of pure bliss, where Adam and Eve live in harmony with nature and with each other. The garden is filled with beautiful flowers, trees, and fruits that provide nourishment and pleasure to Adam and Eve. The garden is also home to various animals and birds that live peacefully with each other.
The beauty of the Garden of Eden is emphasized in Chapter 4 of Paradise Lost, where Milton describes the garden as a place of "beauty beyond all earthly measure." The garden is also described as a place of spiritual beauty, where Adam and Eve live in perfect harmony with God and the angels. The garden is a symbol of paradise, a place of complete happiness and contentment.
The Beastly Transformation of the Garden of Eden
The beauty of the Garden of Eden is short-lived, as Adam and Eve's disobedience leads to the transformation of the once-beautiful paradise into a beastly land. The transformation is depicted in Chapter 17 of Paradise Lost, where Milton describes how the garden is now filled with thorns and thistles, and the once-beautiful flowers and fruits have now withered away.
The transformation of the garden is a symbol of the consequences of sin. Milton portrays sin as a corrupting force that destroys everything that is beautiful and pure. The transformation of the garden is also a symbol of the loss of innocence. Adam and Eve's sin leads to their expulsion from the garden and the loss of their innocence.
The Beauty and Beast Duality
The duality of beauty and beast is a significant theme in Paradise Lost Chapter 17. The chapter portrays how something beautiful can quickly transform into something beastly. The Garden of Eden is a symbol of beauty, while its transformation into a thorny and barren land is a symbol of the beastly.
The theme of beauty and beast is also reflected in the characters of Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve are depicted as beautiful and innocent beings at the beginning of the poem. However, their disobedience leads to their transformation into beings with knowledge of good and evil, making them beastly in nature.
Conclusion
Paradise Lost Chapter 17 is a significant section of the epic poem that portrays the transformation of the Garden of Eden from a beautiful paradise to a beastly land. The chapter highlights the consequences of sin, the loss of innocence, and the duality of beauty and beast. It emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dangers of falling prey to temptation. The chapter remains relevant in modern times as it reflects on the human condition and the struggle between good and evil.