The Role of Free Will in Paradise Lost by John Milton

Paradise Lost is an epic poem by John Milton that explores the biblical story of Adam and Eve's fall from grace. The poem raises questions about the nature of free will and the responsibility of humanity for its own fate. In particular, the poem asks whether Adam and Eve were truly free to choose their actions or whether they were predetermined to fall from grace. This essay will explore these questions and argue that Adam and Eve were ultimately responsible for their own downfall.

One of the key themes of Paradise Lost is the question of free will. Milton explores the tension between predestination and free will, asking whether humans are truly free to choose their actions or whether they are predetermined to act in certain ways. Throughout the poem, Milton suggests that Adam and Eve have the freedom to choose their actions, but that their choices are shaped by their own desires and the influence of Satan.

At the same time, Milton also suggests that Adam and Eve are responsible for their own actions. He portrays them as autonomous beings with the ability to reason and make choices, and he holds them accountable for their own decisions. For example, in Book IX, Adam takes responsibility for his own actions, saying, "I with thee have chosen evil, / Spear against spear, and sword against sword, / Alone with what I feared" (IX.1119-1121). Similarly, in Book X, Eve takes responsibility for her own actions, saying, "I, therefore, err'd not, but misled" (X.934).

Moreover, Milton suggests that the fall of Adam and Eve was not predetermined, but rather the result of their own choices. In Book IX, Satan tempts Eve with the forbidden fruit, but it is ultimately her own desire that leads her to eat it. Similarly, in Book X, Adam chooses to eat the fruit out of his love for Eve, even though he knows that it is wrong.

In conclusion, Paradise Lost raises important questions about the nature of free will and the responsibility of humanity for its own fate. While Milton suggests that Adam and Eve were free to choose their actions, he also holds them responsible for their own decisions. Ultimately, it was their own desires and choices that led to their downfall, rather than any predetermined fate. By exploring these themes, Paradise Lost offers a powerful meditation on the human condition and the role of free will in shaping our destinies.