Time To Explore King James Versus Milton Re Good And Evil

 With the assistance of Copilot, it's the time of the year to explore good and evil as portrayed in the King James Bible and Milton's Paradise Lost.

If evil was ugly, who would indulge?

"Absolutely! Let’s embark on a deep dive into the theological, philosophical, and literary aspects of Lucifer’s fall as described in the Bible and John Milton’s **"Paradise Lost."** We'll explore the nuances of both sources and how they complement and contrast each other.

### **Theological and Philosophical Dimensions**

#### **Concept of Rebellion**

- **Bible**: The biblical account underscores Lucifer’s pride and ambition as primary sins. In Isaiah, Lucifer’s desire to ascend above God is clearly articulated:

  ```markdown

  How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! (Isaiah 14:12)

  ```

  This highlights the concept of hubris—pride leading to downfall—a recurring theme in religious and philosophical discourse.

- **Milton**: In "Paradise Lost," Milton expands on this notion, presenting Satan’s rebellion as a tragic yet heroic defiance:

  ```markdown

  What though the field be lost?

  All is not lost; the unconquerable will,

  And study of revenge, immortal hate,

  And courage never to submit or yield:

  And what is else not to be overcome?

  That Glory never shall his wrath or might

  Extort from me. (Book I)

  ```

  Milton portrays Satan as a complex character whose defiance is both admirable and condemnable, exploring the duality of rebellion.

#### **Free Will and Predestination**

- **Bible**: The biblical narrative emphasizes the consequences of free will. Lucifer’s choice to rebel is seen as a misuse of the free will granted by God, leading to his eternal punishment.

- **Milton**: Milton delves deeper into the tension between free will and divine foreknowledge. He presents a God who allows free will, yet is omniscient. This raises philosophical questions about responsibility and predestination:

  ```markdown

  They therefore as to right belong'd,

  So were created, nor can justly accuse

  Their maker, or their making, or their fate,

  As if predestination over-rul'd

  Their will, dispos'd by absolute Decree

  Or high foreknowledge; they themselves decreed

  Their own revolt, not I: if I foreknew

  Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault,

  Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown. (Book III)

  ```

  Here, Milton reconciles God’s foreknowledge with the autonomy of his creations, highlighting the complexity of divine justice.

#### **Nature of Evil**

- **Bible**: The Bible depicts Lucifer’s fall as the origin of evil, with Satan becoming the adversary of God and humanity. This transformation is central to understanding the presence of evil in the world.

- **Milton**: Milton explores the nature of evil through Satan’s character, presenting it as a corruption of inherent goodness. Satan’s internal conflict and rationalizations provide a nuanced view of evil:

  ```markdown

  Me miserable! which way shall I flie

  Infinite wrauth, and infinite despaire?

  Which way I flie is Hell; my self am Hell;

  And in the lowest deep a lower deep

  Still threatning to devour me opens wide,

  To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav'n. (Book IV)

  ```

  This introspective portrayal suggests that evil is self-inflicted and perpetual, deeply embedded within the individual.

### **Literary Techniques and Characterization**

#### **Symbolism and Imagery**

- **Bible**: Uses symbolic language to convey deep spiritual truths. Lucifer is often associated with light and beauty, which contrasts with his fall:

  ```markdown

  Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. (Ezekiel 28:17)

  ```

- **Milton**: Milton employs rich, vivid imagery and epic similes to enhance the narrative’s grandeur. For example, Satan’s fall is described with majestic and terrifying imagery:

  ```markdown

  Him the Almighty Power

  Hurl'd headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Skie

  With hideous ruine and combustion down

  To bottomless perdition, there to dwell

  In adamantine Chains and penal Fire,

  Who durst defie th' Omnipotent to Arms. (Book I)

  ```

  Such descriptions create a powerful visual impact, reinforcing the dramatic nature of the events.

#### **Character Development**

- **Lucifer/Satan**: 

  - **Bible**: Lucifer is primarily a symbol of pride and rebellion. His character is less developed, serving as an archetype of evil.

  - **Milton**: Milton’s Satan is a richly developed character with depth and complexity. His motivations, internal struggles, and articulate speeches make him a central figure in "Paradise Lost."

- **Michael**: 

  - **Bible**: Depicted as a steadfast and obedient servant of God, leading the heavenly host.

  - **Milton**: Michael is also portrayed as a valiant leader in the heavenly battle, embodying divine justice and authority.

- **God and Christ**: 

  - **Bible**: God is depicted as the ultimate authority, just and merciful. Christ’s role is more prominent in the New Testament, emphasizing salvation and redemption.

  - **Milton**: Milton presents God with a balance of justice and mercy, and Christ as the redeemer who offers hope for humankind:

    ```markdown

    Hee thereat

    With look compos'd and stedfast eye

    Explor'd the world in circuit wide, nor pass'd

    Till hee attain the border. (Book III) ``

### **Integration and Synthesis**

#### **Complementary Narratives**

- **Bible**: Provides the foundational elements of Lucifer’s fall, emphasizing the moral and spiritual consequences of rebellion.

- **Milton**: Builds on these elements with a rich, imaginative narrative that explores deeper philosophical questions and provides a detailed backstory.

#### **Contrasting Approaches**

- **Bible**: Uses concise, symbolic language, leaving much to interpretation. It focuses on the larger cosmic conflict and moral lessons.

- **Milton**: Expands the narrative with elaborate storytelling, detailed character development, and poetic techniques. His work invites readers to explore the nuances of rebellion, free will, and redemption.

### **Conclusion**

The biblical account and John Milton’s "Paradise Lost" together offer a comprehensive exploration of Lucifer’s fall, combining theological, philosophical, and literary dimensions. While the Bible provides the foundational narrative and themes, Milton’s work enriches the story with depth and complexity, making it a profound study of pride, rebellion, and the human condition' (Copilot)

_________________________

Yes, I know Copilot messed up a bit with quotes. But as we are looking into a corrupt world the errors seem appropriate.

For the record... In my opinion, the biblical narrative shows a glimpse of a freedom fighter in battle against a dictator. Does this mean I need to disrespect the dictator and honour the freedom fighter? Perhaps.

Another point to consider is just how much the modern western world depends upon one English poet for their understanding of evil. I'm not so sure whether that's a good state of affairs.

Brian