Paradise Lost (Books 9-10) (OCR A-Level English Literature): Revision Notes
Key quotations
Introduction to using quotations
When studying Paradise Lost for your A-Level, demonstrating knowledge of the text goes beyond simply memorising quotations. You can show your understanding through various methods including summarising, paraphrasing, referencing single words, or discussing plot events. These approaches are all equally valid alongside direct quotations.
The most effective revision strategy is to develop a strong overall knowledge of the text rather than memorising a pre-prepared list of quotations. This deeper understanding enables you to select the most relevant references to support your response to any exam question.
If you choose to revise specific quotations, organising them by character or theme works best. This revision note presents key quotations grouped under five major themes: sin and innocence, love and marriage, hierarchy and order, free will and predestination, and gender.
Sin and innocence
Milton explores the loss of innocence through disobedience in Paradise Lost. The text examines the struggle between the temptation of sin and the desire for purity. Through the characters of Adam, Eve and Satan, Milton questions the nature of sin and humanity's longing for redemption.
Eve eating the forbidden fruit
So saying, her rash hand in evil hour
Forth reaching to the Fruit, she pluck'd, she eat:
Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat
Sighing through all her Works gave signs of woe,
That all was lost
Narrator, Paradise Lost Book IX, Lines 780-784
Context and meaning:
These lines describe the pivotal moment when Eve succumbs to temptation and eats the forbidden fruit. This act represents the Fall of humanity and the introduction of sin into the world.
Worked Example: Analyzing Literary Techniques in Eve's Fall
When analyzing this quotation, consider how Milton uses multiple literary devices:
Step 1: Identify the language choice The phrase "her rash hand" suggests impulsiveness and a lack of careful consideration. This language emphasises Eve's momentary lapse in judgement and her failure to think through the consequences of her actions.
Step 2: Examine temporal references The expression "in evil hour" creates a sense of foreboding and foreshadows the negative consequences that will follow. Milton uses this temporal reference to mark this as a decisive moment in human history.
Step 3: Analyze structural elements The repetition of verbs ("reaching", "pluck'd", "eat") adds urgency and action to the scene. This sequence illustrates the inevitability of Eve's actions once she has begun the process. Each verb moves her closer to completing the sinful act.
Milton personifies Earth as feeling a "wound" and Nature as responding with signs of distress. This conveys the profound impact of Eve's sin on the natural world. The "wound" serves as a symbolic representation of the introduction of sin and the disruption of the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature.
The phrase "That all was lost" creates a sense of finality. It forebodes the loss of innocence and signals the entrance of sin into the world, with all its accompanying consequences.
Human disobedience
Foul distrust, and breach
Disloyal on the part of Man, revolt,
And disobedience
Narrator, Paradise Lost Book IX, Lines 6-8
Context and meaning:
In these opening lines of Book IX, the narrator directly addresses the theme of human disobedience and sin, setting the stage for the events that follow.
Analysis:
The use of harsh words like "foul distrust" and "disobedience" conveys the gravity of humanity's actions. These terms carry strong negative connotations that emphasise the seriousness of Adam and Eve's transgression.
The phrase "breach disloyal" suggests a breaking of trust and loyalty. This indicates a betrayal of the relationship between humanity and the divine, highlighting how sin damages this sacred bond.
The word "revolt" emphasises a deliberate and rebellious turning away from the intended path. This suggests that the Fall was not merely an accident but an active choice to rebel against God's commandment.
Love and marriage
The theme of love and marriage appears prominently through Adam and Eve's relationship. Milton portrays their union as sacred, blessed by divine sanction. God's love is also depicted as all-encompassing, just and merciful, providing a model for human relationships.
Eve's love and reverence for Adam
That love sincere, and reverence in my heart
I bear thee, and unweeting have offended
Eve, Paradise Lost Book X, Lines 915-916
Context and meaning:
In these lines, Eve speaks of her sincere love and deep reverence for Adam. She acknowledges that she has unintentionally offended him through her actions in eating the forbidden fruit.
Analysis:
The phrase "love sincere" reflects Eve's assertion that her love for Adam is genuine and true. This underscores the purity of her affection and her deep emotional connection to him.
The mention of "reverence in my heart" goes beyond mere love. It conveys a deep respect and admiration that Eve holds for Adam. This elevates their relationship beyond simple romantic attachment to something more profound.
The subsequent admission "and unweeting have offended" reveals Eve's awareness of her unintentional wrongdoing. The archaic word "unweeting" means unknowing or unaware, suggesting that Eve did not fully understand the consequences of her actions at the time.
The use of personal pronouns like "I" and "thee" reinforces the intimacy of the relationship between Adam and Eve. These pronouns highlight Eve's individual responsibility for her actions whilst emphasising the personal nature of her appeal to Adam.
The use of the word "sincere" captures Eve's humility and her realisation of the consequences of her actions in the Garden of Eden. It demonstrates her genuine remorse and desire for reconciliation.
Adam's forgiveness of Eve
soon his heart relented
Towards her, his life so late and sole delight,
Now at his feet submissive in distress,
Creature so faire his reconcilement seeking,
His counsel whom she had displeas'd, his aide
Narrator, Paradise Lost Book X, Lines 940-944
Context and meaning:
These lines convey the evolving dynamics of Adam and Eve's relationship after the Fall. They show Adam's internal conflict and his movement towards forgiveness.
Analysis:
The lines portray Adam's inner conflict as he finds himself torn between displeasure at Eve's disobedience and his love for her. This tension creates emotional complexity in their relationship.
The phrase "his heart relented" conveys a change in Adam's emotional state. It suggests that he is moved by compassion and forgiveness, indicating his capacity for mercy despite his initial anger.
The phrase "Creature so faire" highlights Eve's physical beauty. The subsequent phrase "his reconcilement seeking" reflects Eve's plea for forgiveness and her desire for the restoration of their relationship. Together, these phrases show how Eve's beauty and her humble plea affect Adam's response.
The phrase "His counsel whom she had displeased, his aide" highlights the personal and intimate connection between Adam and Eve. Despite Eve's actions displeasing him, Adam remains her counsel and aid. This signifies his willingness to support and guide her, demonstrating the enduring nature of their bond.
Hierarchy and order
The theme of hierarchy appears through the relationships between Adam, Eve and their Creator. Milton illustrates the dynamics of power, obedience and the consequences of rebellion against established structures in Heaven, Hell and Earth.
Adam questioning God
Did I request thee, Maker, from my Clay
To mould me Man, did I sollicite thee
From darkness to promote me, or here place
In this delicious Garden?
Adam, Paradise Lost Book X, Lines 743-746
Context and meaning:
In these lines, Adam questions his Creator about the circumstances of his creation. This represents a moment of existential crisis following the Fall.
Analysis:
The rhetorical question expresses Adam's sense of independence and free will. By questioning whether he requested his own creation, Adam challenges the circumstances of his existence and questions his relationship with God.
The repetition of "Did I" illustrates Adam's assertion of his own agency. He questions whether he actively sought or requested his existence as a human being, suggesting that he feels his will was not consulted in his creation.
Adam's questioning tone challenges the authority of God. He is not only questioning the act of creation but also implying a sense of dissatisfaction or confusion about the circumstances of his existence. This represents a significant departure from his earlier obedience.
This quotation delves into existential themes as Adam contemplates the nature of his being. He grapples with questions about choice, responsibility and the meaning of existence in a world where he has now experienced sin and its consequences.
Free will and predestination
The theme of free will and predestination explores questions about fate, choice and moral responsibility of individuals in the face of a predetermined destiny. Characters struggle with the complexities of their decisions within the framework of God's omniscience.
Eve on equality and freedom
the more to draw his Love,
And render me more equal, and perhaps,
A thing not undesireable, sometime
Superior: for inferior who is free?
Eve, Paradise Lost Book IX, Lines 822-825
Context and meaning:
In these lines, Eve addresses Adam and discusses her reasons for eating the forbidden fruit. She reveals her desire for equality and even superiority in their relationship.
Analysis:
Eve expresses her desire for equality and, at times, superiority over Adam. This reveals her evolving perspective on their relationship and her yearning for greater independence and autonomy.
The quotation reveals Eve's changing understanding of her relationship with Adam. Her desire for independence and autonomy represents a shift from the original harmony of Eden. This suggests that the temptation to sin was partly rooted in her desire for a different status.
The phrase "for inferior who is free" suggests Eve's belief that true freedom comes from an equal or even dominant position. She questions whether someone in an inferior position can truly be free, revealing how Satan's arguments have influenced her thinking.
This quotation reflects the consequences of pursuing individual desires at the expense of divine order. Eve's words show how the temptation to sin can be rationalised through appeals to freedom and equality, even when such reasoning leads to disobedience.
Adam on free will and divine commandment
But God left free the Will, for what obeyes
Reason, is free, and Reason he made right
But bid her well beware, and still erect,
Least by some faire appeering good surpris'd
She dictate false, and misinforme the Will
To do what God expresly hath forbid,
Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoynes,
That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me
Adam, Paradise Lost, Book IX, Lines 351-358
Context and meaning:
In these lines, Adam reflects on God's gift of free will to humanity. He explains the relationship between free will, reason and divine commandment, whilst also warning Eve about potential dangers.
Analysis:
The phrase "But God left free the Will" underscores the idea that God granted humans free will. This illustrates the importance of free will as a gift from God, allowing individuals to make choices and decisions independently.
God warns Adam about the potential pitfalls of free will through the instruction to "beware, and still erect". This implies that whilst God has given the gift of free will, humans must exercise it judiciously and remain vigilant against temptation.
The quotation cautions against being deceived by "some faire appeering good". This acknowledges the potential for deception and misguidance. It conveys the need for discernment in exercising free will, as appearances can be misleading and lead to poor choices.
The phrase points to the vulnerability of the human will to be misled by appearances. Satan later exploits this vulnerability when he tempts Eve, making the forbidden fruit appear good and desirable.
The reference to God's explicit commands reinforces the theme of predetermination. God has set clear guidelines, and the exercise of free will involves adhering to these guidelines. Disobeying God's explicit commands is seen as a misuse of free will rather than its proper expression.
Gender
The theme of gender is largely depicted through the character of Eve. As the first woman, Eve embodies both the nurturing and seductive aspects traditionally associated with femininity. Her portrayal reflects social norms of Milton's time and depicts women as both virtuous and susceptible to temptation.
Eve's submissiveness and persistence
With thy permission then, and thus forewarnd
Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words
Eve, Paradise Lost Book IX, Lines 378-379
Context and meaning:
Eve responds to Adam with a degree of submissiveness despite her persistence in wanting to work separately. This exchange occurs before Eve's fateful encounter with Satan.
Analysis:
Eve's response reflects the traditional gender dynamics of the time, with Eve respecting Adam's authority whilst still expressing her thoughts. This creates a complex portrayal of her character.
These lines contribute to the complexity of Eve's character. She is portrayed as both submissive and intellectually engaged, capable of reasoning and expressing her own ideas even whilst acknowledging Adam's authority.
Despite her submissiveness, Eve's persistence suggests a subtle assertion of her thoughts and desires. This hints at her independence of mind, which later makes her vulnerable to Satan's temptation.
Eve's phrase "With thy permission then" illustrates her respect for Adam's authority. She seeks his approval before expressing her thoughts, which reflects the traditional expectations of feminine obedience and deference in Milton's society.
Adam on Eve's role
Sole Eve, Associate sole, to me beyond
Compare above all living Creatures deare,
Well hast thou motion'd, well thy thoughts imployd
How we might best fulfill the work which here
God hath assign'd us, nor of me shalt pass
Unprais'd: for nothing lovelier can be found
In Woman, then to studie houshold good,
And good workes in her Husband to promote
Adam, Paradise Lost Book IX, Lines 227-234
Context and meaning:
In these lines, Adam responds to Eve about their duties and responsibilities assigned by God. He outlines what he considers the proper role for women.
Analysis:
In the phrase "Sole Eve, Associate sole", Adam acknowledges Eve as his sole companion. These lines suggest equality and partnership at one level, as Eve is his only associate in Eden.
However, the quotation also reinforces traditional gender roles. Adam states that "nothing lovelier can be found In Woman, then to studie houshold good". This reflects the societal expectations of women focusing on domestic duties and supporting their husbands.
The statement reveals the patriarchal structure of their relationship. Adam defines Eve's purpose in terms of household management and promoting her husband's good works, limiting her sphere of activity to the domestic realm.
This reflects the social norms of Milton's time, which typically confined women to domestic spaces and defined their value in relation to their service to their husbands and families.
Key Points to Remember:
- Using quotations effectively means choosing quality references that respond directly to the question, not just memorising pre-prepared quotes
- The five key themes in Paradise Lost Books 9-10 are sin and innocence, love and marriage, hierarchy and order, free will and predestination, and gender
- Eve's eating of the forbidden fruit is presented as a pivotal moment that wounds the Earth and disrupts the harmony between humanity and nature
- Milton portrays free will as a divine gift that must be exercised with reason and discernment to avoid being misled by false appearances
- Gender roles in Paradise Lost reflect 17th-century social norms, with Eve portrayed as both submissive and intellectually engaged, creating complexity in her character