Do you think that the great theme of Paradise Lost is unquestioning obedience to the behests, implicit in the creative order, of an omnipotent God? Discuss in the light of the contemporary Puritan philosophy.

The Puritan Context: Covenant Theology and Divine Sovereignty

To understand Milton’s exploration of obedience, it’s crucial to grasp the tenets of Puritanism. Puritans believed in a covenant relationship with God, where obedience to His laws guaranteed salvation. This stemmed from a Calvinistic understanding of predestination – the belief that God has already determined who will be saved. Central to Puritan thought was the absolute sovereignty of God, His omnipotence, and His inscrutable will. However, this didn’t negate the importance of individual piety and striving for holiness. The emphasis on personal interpretation of scripture and the development of a ‘godly life’ were also key features. Milton, raised in a devout Puritan household and initially sympathetic to the cause, internalized these beliefs, but his intellectual independence led him to question their rigid application.

Satan’s Rebellion: A Challenge to Divine Authority

The very structure of *Paradise Lost* presents a challenge to the notion of simple obedience. Satan’s rebellion, though ultimately unsuccessful, is portrayed with a degree of heroic grandeur. He refuses to submit to what he perceives as God’s tyrannical rule, choosing ‘self-esteem’ over servile obedience. Milton grants Satan eloquent speeches, allowing him to articulate a compelling, albeit flawed, argument against divine authority. This doesn’t necessarily endorse Satan’s rebellion, but it complicates the idea of obedience as inherently virtuous. Satan’s motivation isn’t simply malice; it’s a desire for freedom and self-determination, values that resonate with the emerging Enlightenment ideals. His famous line, “Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav’n,” encapsulates this defiant spirit.

God’s Permissiveness and the Problem of Evil

A further complication arises from Milton’s portrayal of God. He is omnipotent, yet He allows evil to exist. This raises the ‘problem of evil’ – if God is all-powerful and all-good, why does He permit suffering? Milton’s answer, articulated through the character of God and the angel Raphael, is that free will is essential for genuine love and obedience. God could have created humans as automatons, programmed to obey, but that would have been a meaningless form of worship. True obedience must be freely chosen. Therefore, God allows the possibility of disobedience, even knowing it will lead to suffering. This suggests that obedience isn’t simply about following commands, but about freely choosing to align one’s will with God’s.

Adam and Eve’s Fall: Disobedience and the Acquisition of Knowledge

The Fall of Adam and Eve is the central event of the poem, and their disobedience is often interpreted as a straightforward rejection of God’s command. However, Milton imbues their story with psychological complexity. Eve is driven by a desire for knowledge and self-improvement, tempted by the serpent’s promise of becoming ‘like Gods.’ Adam, motivated by love for Eve, chooses to share her fate, even knowing the consequences. Their disobedience, therefore, isn’t simply a matter of willful rebellion, but a flawed attempt to achieve greater understanding and fulfillment. Furthermore, the Fall, while tragic, is presented as a necessary step in human development, leading to the acquisition of self-awareness, moral responsibility, and the potential for redemption. The poem suggests that true obedience isn’t blind adherence, but informed consent based on understanding.

The Role of Conscience and Individual Judgment

Milton’s emphasis on the individual conscience, a hallmark of Protestant thought, further undermines the notion of unquestioning obedience. He believed that individuals have a direct relationship with God and are responsible for interpreting His will for themselves. This is reflected in the poem’s exploration of internal struggles and moral dilemmas. Adam and Eve’s fall isn’t simply a result of external temptation, but a failure of internal judgment. They succumb to their desires and fail to exercise the reason and discernment that God has given them. Milton suggests that true obedience requires not only following God’s commands but also cultivating a virtuous character and exercising sound moral judgment.