When you look at Milton's Paradise
Lost as an epic, according to the traditional interpretation of what
constitutes an epic, you will find several parallels to classic epics like The
Odyssey or Gilgamesh, despite the difference in subject
matter.
First: an epic is generally in the form of a long
poem; it can rhyme or not, but it does generally have consistent meter.
Paradise Lost does conform to the traditional
format.
Second: an epic is generally historical and broad
in scope, having to do with the building of a nation or the formation of a society,
involving the deeds of heroes. Again, Paradise Lost fits the
paradigm, but with a twist. The hero is Lucifer, the fallen angel, and the nation
building is actually the story of Lucifer attempting to destroy heaven and replace it
with his own idea of the world.
Third: the epic is
generally a moral tale, and, though unconventional, Paradise Lost is a moral tale as
well, demonstrating Milton's own moral code and his ideas of what happens when one tries
to go against God. Even though Lucifer is portrayed as a sympathetic character, God wins
in the end.
Check out the summary and study guide in the
link below.
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