Paradise Lost

a. John Milton’s Paradise Lost contains many instances of ironic parodies between Heaven and Hell, as well as God and Satan. While Hell is seen as the antithesis of Heaven, it is also the counterfeit embodiment of all the perfect values, which Heaven represents. It is the falsely constructed “other” of an authentic Heaven and consists of similar structures and elements that superficially resemble Heaven. God is the supreme ruler of Heaven, the omnipotent and omniscient God who sees and knows all. On the other hand Satan is the juxtaposition of God, the misconstrued “other” who reigns in Hell. Milton’s portrayal of Paradise Lost has been widely debated among critics of his own views toward the political and social ideology of his times. At times Paradise Lost becomes a compromise between Milton’s own theology and his responses to the events occurring within the political climate of his country. The voice of Satan and the picture of Hell is an interesting vehicle for ev...