Regret and Isolation in John Miltons Paradise Lost - Book Report/Review Example

Regret and Isolation in John Milton’s Paradise Lost The themes of isolation and regret inform the development of the plot of Paradise Lost to a great extent. The characters of the epic experience regret at various points and this is also connected to the instances of isolation within it. Adam and Eve, Satan and the fallen angels are followed by feelings of guilt, regret and this is often accompanied by forced isolation. It is significant that the characters who face these feelings are those who are lower down in the hierarchies that exist in the world of the epic. The hierarchies that exist are only strengthened by the espousal of these values by the succeeding generations of the godhead. Those in the lower rungs who are ready to accept the hierarchies, like the angels, do not have to fear isolation and regret. This is an important point and raises questions about the revolutionary potential of the book. Satan as a character has often been presented as a revolutionary character (Mangalam ix). His regret at having lost a position in heaven is countered by his desire to take revenge upon god and thereby reverse certain hierarchies. In the first place, the revolution that he carries out against god in itself is an act of subversion of power. This can be seen in the light of the revolution that Oliver Cromwell had undertaken against the monarchy of England. The relevance of this book to this era is thus, of paramount importance to any analysis of the plot and structure of it. Satan would be expected to reveal feelings of regret; he however, does not do so. In fact, Satan makes it very clear that there is no other position that he would want to be in. This rejection of the possibility of moving back in a position of hierarchical inferiority is made clear by Satan when he talks to the other fallen angels about the need for a removal of the hierarchy. Satan welcomes isolation as long as it is accompanied by self-respect and independence. Isolation then becomes a site for contemplation of one’s own position in the cosmos rather than an occasion for the expression of regret. The fallen angels however, do feel a sense of isolation towards the beginning. They are disconcerted with the loss of heaven and the bliss that is associated with it. After listening to Satan, however, they are reminded of the need to break down certain hierarchies that existed. This does not mean that there is no sense of regret at having lost heaven. The sense of having lost it remains with the fallen angels whenever they are referred to. The main agenda with which Milton writes this is however, for the purpose of making clear the position of regret and isolation that Adam and Eve find themselves in after the loss of the Garden of Eden. The way in which they lose it is what forms a large part of the text and its complexity. Of Man’s First Disobedience, and the Fruit Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal taste Brought Death into the World, and all our woe, With loss of Eden (I. 1-4) The loss of Eden is looked upon with regret. The loss of Eden also means that the two humans would be losing the company of god and his angels. This isolation is viewed as a lowering of position in the order of things. The movement downwards is due to a flouting of the hierarchies in this case where man chose to disobey god. This is seen to be a move away from the revolutionary ideas that Satan seems to espouse. The human beings are thus, not always invested with any agency. The loss of Eden and the isolation that is created thereby is not something that is accepted by the human beings to begin with. However, they look upon the movement away from Eden as an opportunity for a new beginning; an opportunity for creating their own destiny. There is thus, a certain sense of agency and adventure that is displayed here that is not a part of their characters earlier. The importance of this lies in the contradictions that are there in the characters of Paradise Lost in general. On some occasions, the flouting of hierarchies is viewed with great apprehension while on certain other occasions, they are looked upon as occasions for new beginnings. To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess A paradise within thee, happier far. (XII. 586-587) The opportunity for a new beginning was there in England as well at this point of time, an opportunity that was not taken. This was the opportunity to replace monarchy with a more democratic system of reign. Milton was deeply disillusioned with the failure of the republican regime and his move away from it can be seen also in the contradictions in this epic. At certain points of time, he critiques the importance of hierarchies while on certain other occasions, he portrays them as the only reason as to why there is any semblance of order in the society. He talks of them as the reason as to why society has not fallen into a state of pandemonium. There is however, a deep sense of regret at the failure if any revolutionary project against the monarchical regime in England. The subsequent generations in England however, strove to create a democratic regime and the effects of that can be seen till this day. The human beings do not feel a great sense of regret as a result of the assurance that they are provided by Jesus, the son of god and also the reason for the conflict between god and Satan. The position of Jesus which is hierarchically higher than that of the angels is something that is not acceptable to Satan and this is part of the reason as to why he revolts against god and Jesus. The fixed nature of hierarchies that god presents is something that Satan detests and this revolution arises out of it. There is however, no sense of regret that arises out of this. This is in direct opposition to the way in which the humans react to a loss in position as they are filled with regret. They are eager to get back their position in the hierarchy and the promise if this return is what keeps them from falling into despair. However, there is a problematic ascription of the cause for regret onto the only woman who is present. Eve becomes the cause of the event which creates regret. This patriarchal isolation of the woman is then something that is a part of the epic as well. Milton, despite his otherwise radical views on the position of the woman in society, fails to create a different position for the Biblically oppressed Eve. The isolation of the woman is thus sanctioned by the Bible itself, a position that Milton does not challenge. Regret and isolation thus form an important part of the thematic concerns of the Christian epic, Paradise Lost. It is important that these are informed by some of the political events that happen during this period of time. It is also important that a large part of the regret is attributed to the actions of the woman in the epic, Eve, an action that is used till date to justify the patriarchal oppression of women. It however, remains a document of the kind of contradictions that existed in the English society of his time. Works Cited Mangalam, B. “Introduction”. Paradise Lost: A Critical Edition. New Delhi: Worldview, 2000. Print. ix. Milton, John. Paradise Lost. London: Norton, 2002. Print. Read More