Paradise Lost: Power Unfolded:

Throughout the text of Milton’s Paradise Lost, readers can see many instances of binary relationships connecting separate conceptual ideas. The construction of "authorship" in the poem exists as a good example of just such a relationship. This theme incorporates two very different ideas in the poem, and is central to the understanding of issues concerning the creation and use of power.

The attention Milton gives to each character and their specific personality allows readers to interpret their actions as consciously chosen deeds within the larger framework of the poem. Great detail is given to the idea of "creation". Beyond that of the creation of the world in Book I, there are many instances where the act of creation itself becomes an act of endowing power on some object or person. The most obvious example would be the creation of Adam and Eve by God. By creating the pair, God, desires them to glorify His ways through their praises and deeds. He gives them enough power over their destiny to choose to worship Him as the Almighty. The fact that they have free will is important to God because they choose to give Him praise despite any outside temptation. There is one obvious drawback to this kind of power. They chos

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The dual relationship between the beneficial act of bestowing power at the time of creation and the negative side of the free will to use that power freely, shows up within every character. In any truly masterful work, whether in art, or music, or writing, the creative process spawns a unique result which takes on a life of its own. The evil inside Satan manifested itself, according to Michael’s speech, by creating a new force in heaven, namely, Misery. After the Fall, Satan is visited by his offspring, Sin and Death. No longer will they be mindless servants to a higher power , now they have the capability to choose what they wish to believe in, exercising their own free will. how hast thou disturbed

Heav’n’s blessed peace, and into nature brought

Misery, uncreated till the crime

Of thy rebellion! (VI, 262-9)

This passage says two very important things. Such a force would be called evil, but would, in a sense, only be trying to write for itself a different kind of role. Taking the role of the "author", Milton wields a kind of power over the creation of the poem. The ways in which God creates in Paradise Lost focus mainly on acts of physical creation. Satan’s only existence is to prod the form of God until something happens. Although the poem calls him evil, Satan could be merely a figure of the act or need of creation within an apparently inflexible system.

Approximate Word count = 2214
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

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