God A05

Question 1

Book 1 - Purpose for writing

Answer 1

“Assert [His] Eternal Providence, And Justify the ways of God to men” (Paradise Lost 1:24-5).

Question 2

Eternal Providence

Answer 2

contextually refers to gods commitment to refer his plan for the world. Milton reinforces use of free will to be inseparable from this plan

-develops idea fall is greater good to allow us to choose a free and loving relationship

This is the argument about the fall called felix culpa or “happy fault.”

Question 3

CS lewis

Answer 3

Milton anthropomorphises God overly and therefore makes him seem cold, unfeeling and tyrannical.

Question 4

Empson

Answer 4

Miltons God alike to ‘Stalin.. Inattentive of his peoples wishes and desires’

-limits intelctuall development/autonony to uphold idea of an idyllic utopia of eden

Question 5

Hay

Answer 5

More recent criticisms of Paradise Lost have speculated as to whether Adam and Eve really do fall in book 9 at all, or whether they are just realistically flawed human being