Paradise Lost (Book 3) - John Milton
/Paradise Lost (Book 3) - John Milton/
Heavenly Vision, the Son’s Offer, and Satan’s Journey
NOTE: “Paradise Lost” is in the public domain. Book 3 is also quite long; below is an excerpt of the opening lines, presented line by line in HTML format, with both “Original (English)” and “English” (they are the same, as Milton composed in English). This excerpt offers a glimpse into the epic’s shift from Hell to Heaven.
Original (English): Hail holy Light, offspring of Heav’n first-born,
English: Hail holy Light, offspring of Heav’n first-born,
Original (English): Or of th’ Eternal coeternal beam
English: Or of th’ Eternal coeternal beam
Original (English): May I express thee unblam’d? since God is Light,
English: May I express thee unblam’d? since God is Light,
Original (English): And never but in unapproached Light
English: And never but in unapproached Light
Original (English): Dwelt from Eternity, dwelt then in thee,
English: Dwelt from Eternity, dwelt then in thee,
Original (English): Bright effluence of bright essence increate!
English: Bright effluence of bright essence increate!
Original (English): Or hear’st thou rather pure Ethereal stream,
English: Or hear’st thou rather pure Ethereal stream,
Original (English): Whose Fountain who shall tell? Before the Sun,
English: Whose Fountain who shall tell? Before the Sun,
Original (English): Before the Heav’ns thou wert, and at the voice
English: Before the Heav’ns thou wert, and at the voice
Original (English): Of God, as with a Mantle didst invest
English: Of God, as with a Mantle didst invest
Original (English): The rising world of waters dark and deep,
English: The rising world of waters dark and deep,
Original (English): Won from the void and formless Infinite.
English: Won from the void and formless Infinite.
... [Excerpt truncated due to length constraints] ...
For the complete text of “Paradise Lost (Book 3),” please consult a public-domain source.
In Book 3 of John Milton’s epic “Paradise Lost,” the focus shifts dramatically from the fiery depths of Hell to the serene grandeur of Heaven. Milton opens with an invocation to “holy Light,” suggesting both literal illumination and the spiritual enlightenment needed to interpret cosmic events.
The scene then centers on God the Father, who looks upon the universe and observes Satan navigating Chaos on his way to Earth. In a conversation with the Son, God explains that though He knows the future, He grants humanity free will—thus each individual has the power to choose good or evil, a freedom that will test their loyalty and faith. Milton’s depiction emphasizes that foreknowledge does not negate moral agency: humankind remains accountable for its actions.
Here, the Son’s fundamental role in the redemption of humanity becomes clear. Understanding that humans are fallible, the Son volunteers to sacrifice himself for their eventual salvation should they yield to temptation. This selfless offer to bear humanity’s punishment highlights a central Christian mystery: the intersection of divine justice and mercy.
Meanwhile, Satan’s prideful quest continues. As he ascends from Hell’s confines and draws nearer to Earth, his mission to corrupt God’s new creation stands in stark contrast to the Son’s willingness to save it. By placing these parallel storylines side by side, Milton underscores the moral polarity at the poem’s heart. On one side lies the divine capacity to forgive; on the other, Satan’s unyielding ambition, driving him to ruin what God has made.
Throughout Book 3, Milton intertwines theological depth, epic scale, and poetic beauty. Moments of exalted praise blend with the anguish and drama of cosmic conflict. At its core, the narrative highlights free will as pivotal to the human condition, while the Son’s readiness to intercede demonstrates God’s compassionate plan to counterbalance mankind’s inevitable failures.
Key points
1) The scene shifts from Hell to Heaven, revealing God’s omniscient view and the plan of redemption.
2) Milton explores free will, asserting that divine foreknowledge does not invalidate personal responsibility.
3) The Son’s offer to sacrifice himself underscores the theme of mercy amid inevitable human frailty.
4) Satan’s approach to Earth amplifies the cosmic battle between defiant evil and redemptive grace.
