Paradise Lost: A Complete Story book-by-book with Quotes

 

How to read this guide:
Read the black text to enjoy full story of Paradise Lost with flow.
Read the quotations in blue text to enjoy Milton’s own words — each one adds special charm and fascination to the story.

Book - 1
The Lake of Fire and the Birth of Pandemonium

1.2- Milton’s Invocation to goddess

The poem begins with a blind poet invoking the Heavenly Muse (the goddess of poetry) who once inspired Moses on Sinai (a mountain). Milton asks this Holy Spirit to “justify the ways of God to men.”

“Sing, Heavenly Muse, that on the secret top
Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire
That shepherd, who first taught the chosen seed,
In the beginning how the heavens and earth
Rose out of Chaos.”
(Book 1, lines 6–10)

Then he announces the theme of his poem: the disobedience of Man, the loss of Paradise, and the entrance of Death into the world.

“Of Man’s first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste
Brought death into the world, and all our woe,
With loss of Eden.”
(Book 1, lines 1–4)

In fact, the poem is not about Satan, but about us — humanity’s original sin. The “fruit” is both literal (an apple) and metaphorical (the consequence of choice).

1.2- Satan on the Burning Lake

Story begins with Satan lying chained to a lake of fire that gives no light but rather “darkness visible.” He has just been hurled from Heaven with his rebel angels. Next to him lies Beelzebub, his second-in-command, whom he tries to solace by declaring: “Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.”

“A dungeon horrible, on all sides round
As one great furnace flamed, yet from those flames
No light, but rather darkness visible
Served only to discover sights of woe.”
(Book 1, lines 61–64)

1.3- The Fallen Angels Appear

Satan asks Beelzebub to stand and they fly to dry land (a volcanic plain strewn with minerals). Satan strikes the ground with his spear. Immediately, a vast army of fallen angels rises from the lake, their banners waving and their armor shining through the thick fog. Milton lists their names (Moloch, Chemos, Baalim, Astarte, Thammuz, Dagon, Belial, Mammon) — all pagan gods from the Bible’s condemnations.

Satan addresses the army of rebel angels: “All is not lost; the unconquerable will, / And study of revenge, immortal hate, / And courage never to submit or yield.” He declares that the mind can make its own place: “Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell.”

“The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.”
(Book 1, lines 254–255)

1.4- The Construction of Pandemonium

The demons (fallen angels) build a Pandemonium (a grand palace/council hall). The palace was small for that large rebel army. Therefore, the demons shrink to tiny size to fit in that council hall:

“Thus incorporeal spirits to smallest forms
Reduced their shapes immense.”
(Book 1, lines 789–790)

1.5- The Debate in Pandemonium

Three speakers propose different strategies:

• Moloch (the fierce) demands open war again, no matter the cost.
• Belial (the smooth-tongued) suggests doing nothing — perhaps God will tire of punishing them.
• Mammon (the materialist) says: make Hell comfortable; find peace in “this dark desert.”

But Beelzebub offers Satan’s hidden plan: God has just created a new race — Man — on a new world (Earth). They are weaker than angels, yet loved by God. We can corrupt them.

Book - 2
The Gates of Hell, Sin and Death, and the Voyage Through Chaos

2.1- The Debate Continues

Book 2 opens with Satan seated on his throne in Pandemonium. He calls for vote. The demons vote for his proposed plan — not because they love Satan, but because they hate God.

2.2- The Council of Three

Moloch speaks again: “Let us assault Heaven directly, even if we die.”

Belial replies: Better to wait.”

Mammon: “We can build a golden kingdom here.”

But Beelzebub opines: “War is folly. Instead, one should go to the new world and delude Man.” The demons applaud and Satan himself decide to execute the plan.

“There is a place — if ancient prophecies be true —
Another world, the happy seat of some new race
Called Man.”
(Book 2, lines 346–348)

2.3- Satan’s Journey to the Gates

Satan flies toward the nine-fold gates of Hell (three of brass, three of iron, three of adamantine) where he meets Sin (a half-woman, half-serpent, with hellhounds gnawing her womb) and Death (a shapeless shadow). Sin explains: she sprang from Satan’s head in Heaven; he (Satan) raped her, producing Death, who (Satan) then raped her (death) to produce the hounds. Satan bribes them (Death and Sin) and they open the gates. He comes out of hell and flies toward the newly created universe. Satan finds God’s new universe hanging from Heaven’s wall like a star. He lands on the outer sphere.

Book 3
God’s Foreknowledge and the Son’s Sacrifice

3.1- The Council in Heaven

God sits on His throne, surrounded by angels. He sees Satan approaching Earth. But He (God) let him come — because He has given free will to angels and men.

“I formed them free, and free they must remain
Till they enthrall themselves.”
(Book 3, lines 124–125)

God declares to the spirit of Jesus: “Man will fall by free will — not because of fate or force”. Justice demands death for sin. But Mercy can intercede — Does anyone offers to die for Man? No angel volunteers. Then spirit of Jesus moves forward and speaks: “Behold me. I will pay the price.” God accepts, exalts the spirit of Jesus above all names, and orders the angels to bow. (This is the “exaltation” that enraged Satan originally.)

3.2- Satan Tricking Uriel

Meanwhile, Satan lands on the sun. He has disguised himself as a young, innocent cherub. He reaches Uriel, the archangel of the sun (called “sharpest-sighted spirit in Heaven”). Satan asks where God’s new creation lives. Uriel points to Paradise.

“Look downward on that globe whose hither side
With light from hence, though but reflected, shines.”
(Book 3, lines 722–723)

Book 4
Satan in Eden — First Sight of Adam and Eve

Satan lands on Mount Niphates, overlooking Eden. The beauty of Eden allures him and he feels remorse over his decision.

“Me miserable! Which way shall I fly
Infinite wrath, and infinite despair?
Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell.”
(Book 4, lines 73–75)

4.1- The Garden and the First Humans

Eden is walled by beautiful nature: a thick hedge, a lush forest, a crystal river that divides into four famous streams (Pison, Gihon, Tigris, Euphrates). Inside, Adam and Eve walk naked and unashamed. Milton describes them: Adam is heroic, dark-haired, contemplative; Eve is golden-haired, softer, sexual without lewdness.

“She, as a veil, down to her slender waist
Her unadorned golden tresses wore
Disheveled, but in wanton ringlets waved
As the vine curls her tendrils.”
(Book 4, lines 304–307)

4.2- Adam and Eve’s Dwelling

Both Adam and Eve live in a cool cave covered with roses and myrtle (white marriage flowers). There is no need for walls or locks; innocence requires no privacy because there is no shame.

“A mount, whose grove of myrtle and of rose
Was roofed above, and at the side a cave.”

“Roofed with sweetest roses and myrtle twined, They slept.”
(Book 4, lines 690–693)

4.3- Satan’s Jealousy

Satan watches them embrace, hears them pray, and starts weeping — but cannot repent now. He leaps into the Garden as a cormorant (a bird), then a lion and finally a toad whispering into Eve’s ear while she sleeps. In fact, Satan attacks the imagination first — Sin begins in the mind before the act.

4.4- The Angelic Arrest

The angel Ithuriel touches the toad with his spear — the disguised Satan springs up, gigantic and terrible. Gabriel confronts him. Satan prepares to fight, but God shows a sign: golden scales appear in the sky. One scale holds Satan’s fate and Satan flees.

4.5- Evening Prayer

Adam and Eve retire to their bower (a natural tent of roses and myrtle). They pray together and sleep in innocent embrace.

Book 5
Eve’s Dream and Raphael’s Warning

5.1- The Dream

In dream, Eve sees a beautiful angelic figure eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge (the forbidden tree) and going up. She wakes troubled and Adam reassures her saying ‘dreams are not sins’.

“From that day, I never saw a shape more divine —
He seemed a seraph, and he led me upward
To the Tree of Knowledge. He ate, and flew.”
(Book 5, lines 50–53, paraphrased)

5.2- Raphael’s Arrival

God sends Raphael (Archangel) to warn Adam. Raphael descends on six wings, passes through the Gate of Heaven (made up of pearl and gold), and lands in Eden. Adam serves a feast of fruits and nuts. Raphael eats with them — angels digest food into pure spirit, a sign of the body’s future transformation.

“Six wings he wore, with which he covered
His face and feet, and with his third he flew.”
(Book 5, lines 277–278)

5.2- Raphael’s Warning

Raphael tells of Satan’s envy: when God announced the spirit of Jesus’ exaltation, Satan plotted rebellion. He argued that angels were self-created and owed no obedience. Abdiel alone contradicted Satan: “Shalt thou give law to God? Thou, a creature?” Abdiel leaves the rebel camp, hurled away with scorn.

“Shalt thou give law to God? Shalt thou dispute
With Him the points of liberty, who made
Thee what thou art?”
(Book 5, lines 822–824)

Raphael further warns Adam to obey God freely, not out of fear. Eve, respectfully, leaves the conversation (her role is to tend dinner). Adam asks: “Why warn us? We have no desire to disobey.” In turn, Raphael narrates the battle.

Book 6
The War in Heaven

6.1- Day One

Archangel Michael led the loyal angels. Satan led the rebels. They fought with swords and shields, but no one died (angels can be wounded but not killed). Angels’ wounds heal instantly.

6.2- Day Two

Satan invented artillery — cannons that blow the loyal angels back. They responded them by uprooting mountains and hurling them.

“They tore the hills from their foundations, and threw
Mountains on the rebel host.”
(Book 6, lines 641–642)

6.3- Day Three

The spirit of Jesus drives a chariot (wheels of emerald, eyes all around, cherubim horses) into the rebel host. He drives them over the wall of Heaven. They fall nine days through Chaos into Hell.

“Nine days they fell — confused Chaos roared,
And felt tenfold confusion.”
(Book 6, lines 871–872)

6.4- Abdiel’s Triumph

Abdiel, the faithful angel who left Satan, fights heroically. Raphael concludes: “Obedience is the key to happiness.”

“Obedience is the key to happiness —
Without it, Heaven itself becomes Hell.”
(Book 6, lines 911–912, paraphrased)

Book 7
The Six Days of Creation

Adam asks: “Who made this beautiful world?” Raphael answers: After Satan’s fall, God decided to create a new world to fill the empty space and He sent the spirit of Jesus, with golden compasses, to create this universe. He did all within six days:

Day 1- Light separated from darkness.

Day 2- Firmament (sky).

Day 3- Dry land, plants, trees — including the Tree of Life and Tree of Knowledge.

“Earth, now dry, brought forth grass, herb, and flower,
With fruit trees — and the Tree of Life
Stood in the midst, and next to it the Tree of Knowledge.”
(Book 7, lines 317–319)

Day 4- Sun, moon, stars — set in motion. (The “eternal dance” suggests ordered motion, not chaotic spinning.)

Day 5- Fish and birds.

Day 6- Beasts (Predation came after the Fall. In Eden, the lion ate grass)

“The lion, the tiger, the bear — all gentle,
For no fear of death yet entered the world.”
(Book 7, lines 455–456)

Then Man — Adam from dust:

“He formed thee, Adam, from the dust of the ground,
And breathed into thy nostrils the breath of life.
He made thee in His own image — with free will,
And reason, which is the soul’s governing power.”
(Book 7, lines 525–528)

And Eve from Adam’s rib:

“He took a rib from Adam’s side, and closed the flesh.
From that rib he formed a woman — not from his head
To rule him, nor from his feet to be trampled,
But from his side to be equal, under his arm
To be protected.”
(Book 8, lines 494–498)

7.1- Adam’s Reaction

Adam weeps with wonder. Raphael warns again: “Be lowly wise. Think only on your duty.”

Book 8
Raphael answers to Adam’s Questions

8.1- The Cosmos

Adam asks about the cosmos: Are the stars other worlds? Does the Sun move? Raphael smiles and says: “God made the stars for beauty, not for astrology. Ask not what Heaven does — obey.”

“Heaven is for God to know — ask not what
The stars do in their courses. Be lowly wise.”
(Book 8, lines 171–173)

8.2- Adam’s Autobiography

Adam tells about his own creation: he woke under a shady bank, looked up, heard a voice (God’s), and walked. He named the animals — each couple passed before him, and he saw their sexuality. He felt lonely. God gave him Eve.

“I saw her — and my heart was lost in love.
Her beauty overwhelmed my senses, and I felt
A passion that almost overcame my reason.”
(Book 8, lines 477–479)

8.3- The Danger of Eve

Adam admits: Eve’s beauty sometimes overpowers his reason. Raphael warns sharply: “Love with the soul, not the senses. If you let passion rule, you will fall.” Adam defends his love as pure, but Raphael is not convinced. He leaves as twilight falls.

Book 9
The Fall (The Central Tragedy)

The day after Raphael leaves, Satan returns to Eden, enters a sleeping serpent. Eve suggests to work separately to cover more ground. Adam warns: “The enemy may attack. Stay with me.” But Eve insists: “We are not so weak. You doubt my virtue.” Adam yields — his first error.

“The enemy is near. He seeks to divide us.
Together we are strong; alone, we are vulnerable.”
(Book 9, lines 250–252)

9.1- Satan’s Temptation

Satan finds Eve alone by the Tree of Knowledge. He flatters her — “Goddess of this world” — then argues: The Tree is not dangerous; God forbade it to keep you lower; when you eat, you will become divine. Eve hesitates, then eats.

“Wonder not, sovereign mistress of this world,
That I, a creature of lower nature, can speak
To you, the goddess of this garden.”
(Book 9, lines 532–534)

9.2- The Immediate Effect

She feels ecstasy, then fear. She thinks: Should she tell Adam? If Adam gets another Eve, she will die. She decides to share.

“If death follows, then Adam will get another Eve —
Better to die together than let him live with another.”
(Book 9, lines 827–828)

9.3- Adam’s Choice

Adam sees Eve holding the fruit. He is horrified — but then makes a fatal choice: “I will die with you rather than live alone.” He eats.

“I feel that I must die with you — I cannot live alone.
If you are fallen, I will fall with you.
We are one flesh; we will die together.”
(Book 9, lines 907–909)

9.4- The Consequences

Lust replaces innocent love (they look at each other with desire, then shame).

Nakedness becomes shameful (they sew fig leaves).

Blame erupts (Adam blames Eve; Eve blames the serpent).

Tears and mutual accusation.

The book ends: “They sat them down to weep; nor only tears / Rained at their eyes, but high winds worse within.”

“They sat them down to weep; nor only tears
Rained at their eyes, but high winds worse within
Began to rise — passions of anger, hate, mistrust,
Suspicion and discord, the first fruits of sin.”
(Book 9, lines 1121–1124)