Schogel 1

Abigail Schogel
Final Paper
Dr. Ryken
5.7.14
The Christianized Epic

Paradise Lost, at first glance, does encompass all the aspects of a literary epic.
Milton includes the epic hero, a transcendent setting, supernatural characters, and an epic
resolution, all elements that line up with the examples of epics preceding him. But when
studied more closely, it becomes clear that Milton not only encompassed epic elements,
but he also modified them. Miltons Christian faith exercised a major influence on his
treatment of the epic tradition that he inherited from the previous epic writers.
An element of epic poetry that was altered by Miltons Christian influence was
the structure and description of the epic hero. The standard set by Homer and Virgil
included a hero with great achievements, stature, and glory. They were esteemed in
battles, encountered temptations, and were courageous in all circumstances. Milton does
present the epic hero: Adam, the father of mankind and Christ-figure. Milton, with his
Christian influence portrays Adam with humility, honor and diligence, many
characteristics of Christ. Adam was perfect for most of the poem, but he asked for no
glory or recognition. The earlier epic heroes, such as Odysseus, thrived in the glory and
often did things that we risky or illogical for the recognition. They also thrived in battle,
able to display their military dominance, logic and strength. Adam does not have earthly
strength or skills in battle nor does he use any such strength to succeed in battles. Not
only does Adam not strive for accreditation of earthly success, but he also fails to
succeed. He did nothing out of vanity, but as Christ did, pointed the glory to God. His
humility of the hero shows Miltons Christian influence, as he strives to point the glory to
God as Adam proves to fall short.
Adam further proved his distinction from the standard of epic heroes in the
conflict of sin. Miltons epic battle in Paradise Lost is another dissimilarity from the
standard epic. Homer and Virgil set the battle and climax of their epics as a battle of
strength and knowledge. They were filled with gore and weapons, as the epic hero needed
to overcome many to achieve his goal. Odysseus used his wit and strength to overcome
the suitors in order to win back Penelope. Miltons battle proved differences in two ways
Adam did not have any such strength or battle knowledge. He was not learned in
weapons or strategy, something that is uncommon for the epic hero and relates to
Miltons Christian portrayal of his humility and gentleness.
Secondly, the battle of Paradise Lost involved none of the typical battle elements
prescribed by Homer and Virgil. The battle was completely internal and involved only the
mind and the soul. The battle involved only the coaxing and cunning of Satan against the
logic and soundness of Eve. In order to defeat God and achieve his goal, Satan needed
to convince Eve with words and emotion, disregarding any kind of war battle. Miltons
Christianity influenced this element as he is disregarding the worth in earthly abilities.
This battle displayed what Milton believed to be truly importantthe state of mans
soul. The conflict was not about earthly gain, but an eternal condition.
Furthermore, Adam may not even be the epic hero described in Paradise Lost.
Satan, who is portrayed as good in the beginning, may fit more into the epic hero
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position, but with similar shortcomings in comparison to the standard hero as Adam had.
He delivers an epic speech against God and is a focus of the beginning of the poem. He is
facing a dramatic battle, but like Adam, the battle is not one of strength and weapons, but
of the soul. Satans meeting with the other fallen angels in deliberating revenge and
plotting against God establishes him as a leader, a character with a goal, and the wit and
courage to lead others to cause the fall of man. Satan also has the epic heros
characteristic of a fatal flawhis need for power and rebellion against God. This flaw
created a conflict that needed to be overcome, similarly to how Odysseus curiosity did. If
Milton really intended for Satan to be the hero of the poem, this would align with his
Christian influence. Milton would be epitomizing the incapability of man by making him
only a supportive character, not a hero or one that can overcome an epic conflict, and
with Satan as the epic hero, he did achieve his goal (temporarily) of ruining what God
valued most.
Not only is Miltons epic hero a point of contention that differs from Homer and
Virgils heroes, but so does the subject of the conflict. Though it is unclear if Satan or
Adam is the hero of the poem, the main subject of the climax differs from any previous
epic. Eve, a woman, is presented as the character who holds the fate of mankind in her
decisions. Satan, who could double as the villain and hero in this conflict, does not target
Adam. Milton furthers his Christian influence through the utilization and focus on the
female character. Yes, Paradise Lost is based on the Biblical story, in which Genesis
describes Eve as the one to first succumb to Satans temptation, but because Milton not
only keeps this accurate, but also develops this aspect, he shows his view of Christian
gender equality. Though Adam was created first, Milton is careful to describe the
importance of Eves role, including how she was the one to bring about the fall. This
furthers the difference in conflict tacticsSatan used flattery and cunning to convince
Eve to fall into temptation. Satan knew that Eves vanity was her weakness, especially
when separated from Adam. This separation that influenced the fall, was another aspect
of Miltons Christian influence. God created man and woman with the intention of co-
dependence upon each other, and when Adam and Eve were separated, Eve became
weaker and susceptible to falling into Satans temptation.
This concentration on Eve not only shows the importance of man and women in
the story of creation that was established by God, but it also rebels against the epic
standard. Virgil and Homer focused on the male influence and power. Though Miltons
epic hero and main characters were male, his concentration on Eve disregarded the
boundaries of the established female character. Homers females depended on the male
for rescue, were temptresses or facilitators of the plot, but never made any crucial
decisions as Eve did. Virgils females foreshadowed the Christian epic, as they made
more influence on the plot, but still did not receive as much focus as Eve from Milton.
His equal focus on male and females relates to Gods intended equality, and Miltons
partiality to feminism. Eve was not portrayed as completely independent of Adam, as an
extreme feminist may have, because her separation from his was what ultimately brought
her downfall. Instead, Eves power in the plot established her as an influential character, a
woman who was not completely helpless but equal to man, and has tragic flaws of her
own.
Just as there was almost equal focus on Adam and Eve, there is also an emphasis
on the Trinity. The Christian deity is a large factor that sets Miltons epic apart for earlier
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epics. The gods of the Odyssey are portrayed with human shortcomings; Poseidon held
grudges and had a temper, others played favorites and were deceptive. This holds true
with the characteristics of the Greek and Roman Gods but Milton made sure to portray
God and the Son with more dignity and respect. God was never described as being
stumped by Satans plan for revenge, and the Son displayed wisdom and sacrifice in
creating a solution. It was when the solution of Christs sacrifice that alluded to the
meeting of the gods epic motif. But, instead of discussing the fate of one individual as
in The Odyssey, the Trinity discussed mercy and the outcome of the entire mankind. This
element of Miltons Christianized epic shows his reverence to the trinity; Gods complete
control and knowledge is portrayed as He responds with wisdom and dignity.
Finally, Miltons Christian influence was displayed in the ultimate conclusion of
the story. In the past epics, following the epic battle, the epic hero always emerged
victorious over his enemies. The battle was one, the goal was accomplished and the story
concludes with a definitive happy ending. Just as the Biblical story of creation is left, the
fall of man concludes with a desolate ending, Paradise Lost leaves man downcast and
vulnerable. Milton concludes the story with Michaels foretelling of what is to come for
mankind, and while there is some hope to be found, the conclusion is not a happy one.
Miltons conviction of hope in Christ is relayed through this ending; it is understood that
Christs sacrifice was planned to set right what Satan, Adam and Eve ruined, but Milton
shows no redemption through man. As Christians, we know that we cannot be justified
through any means but salvation through Christ and Milton shows this characteristic in
the dreary end of the poem. Redemption is promised, but only through the coming and
sacrifice of Christ.
Milton proves that he had no intention of mimicking the standard of epic poetry
set before him through his utilization of Christian elements and theology throughout
Paradise Lost. Many epic motifs are present, such as the epic hero, the epic battle, and the
epic meeting of the gods, but Milton alters them as a result of his Christian influence. He
downplays the accomplishments and worth of man, as he promotes equality of men and
women, and the glory and honor of the Trinity. Paradise Lost is unique in this way, and
Milton is distinguished as a Christian poet and simultaneously an epic poet.