Paradise Lost (Book 6) - John Milton
/Paradise Lost (Book 6) - John Milton/
Heaven’s Armies Clash in Radiant Warfare
Original (Line 1): All night the dreadless Angel, unpursu'd,
English (Line 1): All night the dreadless Angel, unpursu'd,
Original (Line 2): Through Heav'n's wide Champain held his way, till Morn,
English (Line 2): Through Heav'n's wide Champain held his way, till Morn,
Original (Line 3): Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie hand
English (Line 3): Wak't by the circling Hours, with rosie hand
Original (Line 4): Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a cave
English (Line 4): Unbarr'd the gates of Light. There is a cave
Original (Line 5): Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne,
English (Line 5): Within the Mount of God, fast by his Throne,
Original (Line 6): Where light and darkness in perpetual round
English (Line 6): Where light and darkness in perpetual round
Original (Line 7): Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'n
English (Line 7): Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through Heav'n
Original (Line 8): Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night;
English (Line 8): Grateful vicissitude, like Day and Night;
Original (Line 9): Light issues forth, and at the other dore
English (Line 9): Light issues forth, and at the other dore
Original (Line 10): Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre
English (Line 10): Obsequious darkness enters, till her houre
[Due to length constraints, this is a brief excerpt. “Paradise Lost” Book 6 in its entirety is in the public domain and can be found in full from various sources.]
In Book 6 of John Milton’s epic “Paradise Lost,” the celestial war between the loyal angels of Heaven and the rebellious forces of Satan reaches its climactic height. Milton’s grand vision depicts divine warfare unlike mortal battles, as angels wield elemental weapons, hurl mountains, and manipulate the very fabric of the cosmos. God, omniscient and omnipotent, grants the loyal angels free rein to quell rebellion and maintain celestial harmony, yet He also allows the revolt to play out, emphasizing the significance of free will for all beings.
Archangel Michael and Gabriel stand at the forefront of God’s loyal host. They oppose Satan’s formidable legions, who display momentary triumphs only to be overwhelmed by the might of Heaven. In a dramatic turn, the Son of God himself intervenes, driving the rebel angels out of Heaven’s gates with a display of divine force. His power, balanced by mercy and purpose, demonstrates that victory in Heaven is ultimately tied to God’s righteousness rather than brute strength alone.
Book 6 is central to the overall structure of “Paradise Lost,” dramatizing the cosmic background against which Adam and Eve’s impending temptation and fall will be juxtaposed. By detailing the fall of Satan’s forces from Heaven, Milton highlights the poem’s deeper themes: the interplay of free will, obedience, and divine justice in shaping both angelic and human destinies.
Key points
• Book 6 showcases a monumental angelic war, contrasting divine authority with rebellion.
• Celestial battles surpass human warfare in their cosmic scale and elemental force.
• The Son of God’s decisive intervention underlines mercy, justice, and ultimate power.
• Free will remains central, even among angels, as rebellion is permitted to unfold.
• This battle foreshadows humanity’s own trial, deepening the poem’s moral and theological arcs.
