Paradise Lost As an Epic

Abstract

Without any shadow of doubts, Paradise Lost can be included among the classical epics as written by Homer and Virgil. The poem concerns the biblical story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is to "justify the ways of God to men. Paradise Lost has been written in ten books. Because of the use of grand style, the theme of the poem attains universal applicability. Moreover, Milton’s use of epic similes enrich the thematic unity of the poem.