Paradise Lost is a monumental epic poem in twelve books of blank verse. Paradise Lost is based on the Bible and other writings available in the Renaissance Era. The Epic begins with Milton's Intentions for "Paradise Lost." As stated in the beginning of the first book of Paradise Lost, Milton's intentions for writing his religious epic are to "assert Eternal Providence / And justify the ways of God to men" (Book I, ll. 25-26). Milton's audience, of course, is a fallen audience, like the narrator of the epic. Therefore, because the audience is essentially flawed there is a danger that we may not read the text as it was supposed to be read. Some may think Satan is the hero of the epic. Others may tend to blame God for allowing the falls to occur. However, both of these readings are thoughtless and are not what Milton has explicitly intended. Therefore, to prevent these prodigious readings, Milton has cleverly interwoven a theme of personal responsibility for one's actions throughout the epic. In this manner, Milton neutralizes God from any unfair blame, exposes Satan for the ill-Deceiver he is, and justifies the falls of both Angel and Man. A careful reading by the post-laps

Useless and vain, of freedom both despoil'd,

The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks,

Till Pride and worse Ambition threw me down

And to the fierce contention brought along

What pleasure I from such obedience paid,

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Approximate Word count = 1636
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)