Paradise Lost

Milton again calls upon his muse (the Holy Spirit) to lift him out of the story of Hell and allow him to see Heaven. Milton refers to his own literal and metaphorical blindness but notes that the celestial light inside of him is enough.

The story pivots to God above in Heaven who is with his “only begotten Son.” They watch as Satan traverses Chaos and approaches Earth, and God admits that he knows Satan will succeed in corrupting human beings. Although God knows what will happen in the future, he resists taking responsibility for the fall that humanity will endure, saying he has given human beings free will and thus they must be left to their own choices, without divine intervention. The Son asks if God will save humanity or allow Satan to ruin them. God assures the Son that he will save humans who remain faithful to God, and moreover, he will remind humans to stay obedient and faithful with warning of damnation. However, this mercy must come from a worthy sacrifice, and God asks who would volunteer to sacrifice themselves for humanity’s sake.

The Son volunteers himself as the sacrifice and vows to fight and defeat Death, thereby saving the humans and returning to God.