Line 1
Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree whose mortal taste
Brought death into the world, and all our woe.
Ans. With
these lines, Milton begins Paradise Lost and lays the groundwork for his
project, presenting his purpose, subject, aspirations, and need for heavenly
guidance. He states that his subject will be the disobedience of Adam and Eve,
whose sin allows death and pain into the world. He invokes his muse, whom he
identifies as the Holy Spirit. He asserts his hopes that his epic poem will
surpass the other great epic poems written before, as he claims that his story
is the most original and the most virtuous. He also asks his muse to fill his
mind with divine knowledge so that he can share this knowledge with his
readers. Finally, he hopes this knowledge and guidance from his muse will allow
him to claim authority without committing any heresies, as he attempts to
explain God’s reasoning and his overall plan for humankind.
Line 22
What in me is dark
Illumine, what is low raise and support,
That to the height of this great argument
I may assert eternal Providence,
And justify the ways of God to men.
Line 105
What though the field be lost?
All is not lost; th’ unconquerable will,
And study of revenge, immortal hate,
And courage never to submit or yield.
Line 157
To be weak is miserable,
Doing or suffering.
Line 254 (Satan to Beelzebub)
The mind is its own place and in itself
can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n."
Line 261
Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven.
Line 330
Awake, arise, or be forever fallen!
Line 648
Who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe.