Write the substance and explanation of the poem entitled Paradise Lost

Write the substance and explanation of the poem entitled Paradise Lost (Book I) (Lines 242-272).

Ans.

Substance of the Poem

When Satan was turned out from Paradise and thrown into hell, he said to his companions if it was the land or place that they were given in return of Paradise which is an abode of eternal joy. He said that they should accept their present tot and now they would have to tolerate all that their victorious God wanted. It was better for them to be away from God because while they were near to God in heaven, they were subordinate to Him. Now they were completely free. He further said that mind is the centre of pleasure and pain. It can change hell into heaven. Change of place cannot bring a change in his thinking and ambition. They enjoy full freedom in hell. Here they may reign without fear and in his opinion, it is better to rule in Hell than to serve in heaven.

Explanations

(1) Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,’

Said then the lost Arch Angel, this the seat

That we must change for Heav’n, this mournful gloom

For that celestial light? Be it so, since he

Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid

What shall be right: fardest from him is best

Whom reason hath equall’d, force hath made supreme

Above his equals. Farewell happy Fields

Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrors, hail

Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell

Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings

A mind not to be chang’d by Place or Time.

Reference to the Context: This is an extract from John Milton’s famous epic ‘Paradise Lost“.

When Satan who had once been the chief Angel, disobeyed God, he was turned out from heaven and was thrown into hell with all the other rebell angels. There he woke up after nine days and addressed his companion (Beelzebub) thus:

Explanation: Is this the region, the soil, the climate and abode that we must accept. Since God who wields the supreme power now can decide what is right and what is wrong and can deal with us as he wishes to, we are left with no choice but to accept his decision. It is the best thing for us that we are farthest from Him because now we are not in subordination of Him. Though we are equal to Him in mental faculties, we are inferior to Him in physical strength. We cannot face Him as He has enormous power. Satan bids farewell to heaven, the abode of eternal joy. He asks the hellish region with all its horrors to welcome and receive him with honour as he is now the ruler of hell. He is in possession of such a mind as can’t by affected by the change in time and place. Adverse circumstances of time or place cannot bring any change in his mind.

(2) The mind is its own place, and in itself

Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.

What matter where, if I be still the same,

And what I should be, all but less than hee

Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least

We shall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built

Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:

Here we may reign secure, and in my choice

To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:

Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n.

Reference to the Context: These lines have been selected from the poem, ‘Paradise Lost’ Book I, by John Milton. As Satan is turned out of Heaven and thrown into Hell, he bids farewell to the happy field of Heaven.

Explanation: Satan says that mind is the centre of pain and pleasure. It is not affected by external circumstances. It can live within itself. It can transform hell into heaven and heaven into hell, the place of eternal torment. If man’s mind is at ease and cheerful, he can enjoy peace and pleasure even in the adverse circumstances. But if his mind is disturbed, he cannot find peace and joy anywhere. To him, it does not make any difference whether he is in hell or heaven. But Hell has its own advantages for him. For in hell, he is free form the dominance of God. He and all the other fallen angels are not the object of God’s envy and He will not drive them out from there. In hell he is the supreme raler. He is quite safe and can do whatever he likes. Satan bemoans the loss of heaven, but like a true leader, glorifies the new found opportunity to rule in Hell.