James Bantugan

Mrs. Bradley
AP English 12
13 December 2016
1.
While the Fall is in many ways the crucial episode of the poem, the story doesn't end there.
Why does Milton choose to continue for three more books? What does the rest of the poem
accomplish?
The last three books provide the conclusion for the story of original sin and foreshadows future events
that will take place in both the Old and New Testaments. In Book ten, God punishes Adam, Eve and
Satan in accordance with the Bible. It gives the explanation of how and why Sin and Death are currently
ravaging the Earth as well as the destiny of the demons in Hell. In Books eleven and twelve, Archangel
Michael proclaims to Adam the future of humanity by telling stories from the Old Testament such as
Cains murder and the Great Flood and the New Testament such as the coming of a messiah to redeem
their sins and the foundation of the Church.
2.
In Book 10, the Son defines Adam's offense. From God's point of view, what is Adam's fault?
When humanity first fell from grace, Adam blamed Eve for both their downfall. Although Eve bears a
portion of the punishment, God also blames Adam for allowing Eve to commit the sin. In comparison
with Adam, Eve was created with more beauty but less intellect. It was Adams responsibility to teach
her to resist the devils temptation especially when Raphael came down to warn them. By not being the
authority figure for Eve, he revokes his manhood and superiority over her.
3.
In Book 10, Satan typically and almost comically misinterprets what has happened to Adam
and Eve, and to him. How does this instance help to develop Satan's character?
After Satan accomplishes his mission he believes that he has conquered humanity and created a
connection between Earth and Hell. Milton compares his conquest as an act of colonialism for Hell.
Upon returning from his journey, he arrogantly boasts to the other demons how he has overcome much
suffering and hardships along the way. He also says that when he tempted man to sin, God decided to
abandoned them. He concludes that his punishment for tempting Eve is a mild bruise just as
proclaimed by God instead of eternal damnation. His overly exaggerated boast shows Satans
unwavering pride and lack of information about the future.
4.
How does Book 12 resolve the issues raised by Milton earlier in the poem?
After witnessing the effects of Sin and Death corrupting the Earth, Adam is angry and depressed that
their fall from grace has brought forth humanitys doom. In Book 12, however, Archangel Michael talks
with Adam and informs him of the fate of his descendants. Man will undergo several phases of
faithfulness and evil but in the end, God will send a savior that will redeem their sin and connect
Heaven with Earth again. Michaels words bring comfort to Adam in which he will decide to continue
living a good, fruitful life outside the garden.
5.
Are there ways in which God, Adam and Eve reveal their finest natures only after the Fall?
Think about the connection between disaster and virtue in Milton's version of Christianity.
After the fall, Adam, Eve and God underwent some kind of change that revealed their finest natures.
For Adam and Eve, their guilt and shame made them become more repentful and stronger as they took
responsibility for their actions. As for God, Adam and Eves confession made Him more loving and
merciful to them and their future race.
6.
The last lines provide a memorable example of one of Milton's most admired effects: the "quiet
ending." What is your reaction to the last image?
This ending reminds me of the final scene in most movies in which the main character(s) look off into
the distance, observing the view as well as pondering what is to come next in their lives. In this final
scene in Book twelve, Milton created the same effect when Adam and Eve were standing in the Gate to

Eden. They showed a sense of personal growth when they said their final farewell to their past happy
life and bravely ventured forward into a whole new world.
7.
Book 12 has much to say on the theme of liberty. How is liberty an appropriate goal or end for
the poem?
Archangel Michael introduces the theme of liberty when he told Adam that a man descending from the
generation of Noah will force his people to build a tower to challenge God. He explains that humanity
has liberty when they abide to reason and their conscious and that no one should take another mans
liberty. This theme shows that by falling through sin, humanity can still be free if they do good to God,
themselves and each other.