Paradise Lost: Interpretations (OCR A Level English Literature): Revision Note

Interpretations

AO5 assesses your ability to understand different ways of reading and interpreting texts. Those different readings can take different forms, from interpretations discussed by different members of the peer group in your class, to reading and utilising published critical material, to watching and analysing different productions of texts.

There are numerous ways to explore “different interpretations” to meet the AO5 criterion and you must explore a range of secondary readings to supplement your understanding of the text. These can include: 

• Exploring critics

• Interpretations over time

• Dramatisations

Exploring critics

Different critics will offer varied insights and interpretations of Paradise Lost and citations will lend credibility and authority to your analysis. Referencing well-known critics demonstrates that your interpretation is grounded in literary criticism. It will also enhance the validity of your argument. By citing multiple critics you can present a more comprehensive and balanced analysis and demonstrate the different range of perspectives and interpretations surrounding the poem.

Below are some notable critics who have commented on Paradise Lost:

William Blake (1757–1827)

• Blake's interpretation of Satan differs significantly from more traditional views:

  • While Milton portrays Satan as a rebellious but powerful figure, Blake sees him as a symbol of energy and spiritual insight

  • Blake's Satan embodies the spirit of revolution, challenging established norms and questioning authority

• Blake was critical of hierarchical structures, both in society and in religion, and he critiqued the hierarchies presented in Paradise Lost:

  • He believed that true spiritual enlightenment comes from individual experience and direct communion with the divine, rather than conforming to established religious structures

• Blake interprets Eve as a symbol of spiritual and creative inspiration:

  • In contrast to the traditional interpretation of Eve as the cause of humanity's fall, Blake viewed her decision to eat the fruit as a courageous act of spiritual awakening

  • This aligned with his belief in the importance of self-discovery and individual growth

• Blake challenged the binary understanding of good and evil:

  • Blake suggested that good and evil are intertwined and that the human experience involves both aspects

• Blake viewed Milton's characters and events as archetypal symbols that represented  broader human experiences and spiritual truths

C.S. Lewis (1898–1963)

• In his book A Preface to Paradise Lost, Lewis explored various aspects of the poem

• Lewis commented on Milton's ability to evoke sympathy for Satan, a character traditionally seen as the embodiment of evil

• Lewis argued that Milton's portrayal of Satan is so compelling that readers might find themselves drawn to the character, despite his malevolent intentions:

  • This sympathy, according to Lewis, highlights Milton's complex understanding of human nature

  • It conveys the seductive power of evil even in the face of divine truth 

• Lewis explored the grandeur of God's justice, which is tempered by his boundless mercy and love for humanity:

  • This balance reflects Milton's deep engagement with Christian theology

• Lewis explored the tension between predestination and free will, highlighting Milton's exploration of these theological concepts within the poem

Stanley Fish (1938–)

• In 1967, Stanley Fish published Surprised by Sin: The Reader in Paradise Lost

• Fish's interpretations and criticisms revolve around the relationship between the text and the reader:

  • He illustrates the active role of the reader in constructing meaning

• Fish is known for his application of reader-response theory:

  • He argues that the meaning of the text is not evident in the words themselves but is actively created by the reader

  • According to Fish, readers' interpretations are influenced by their individual experiences, beliefs and cultural contexts

• Fish's work addresses the ambiguity surrounding Satan's character:

  • He argues that readers' perceptions of Satan are shaped by their moral and ideological perspectives:

    • Therefore, some readers may sympathise with Satan as a tragic hero, while others may condemn him as a rebellious villain

• Fish introduced the concept of “misreading” as a crucial element in the interpretative process:

  • He suggests that misreadings, which occur when readers deviate from conventional interpretations, can lead to deeper insights and alternative perspectives

• Fish's approach raises important theological and moral questions:

  • By highlighting the subjective nature of interpretation, he prompts readers to question the stability of moral and religious truths

Interpretations over time

Interpretations of Paradise Lost have evolved significantly over time, which reflects shifts in cultural and literary perspectives. Below are some examples of how interpretations of the poem have evolved over time; these are also explored in relation to some schools of critical reading.  

Early interpretations: 17th century

• Upon its publication in 1667, Paradise Lost was met with significant religious reverence

• The 17th century was a time of intense theological and political debate and Milton's poem resonated deeply with the religious concerns of the era

• Many readers saw it not just as a literary work but as a profound theological exploration of humanity's relationship with God

• The poem's themes of the Fall, sin, redemption and the cosmic battle between good and evil resonated strongly with the religious sensibilities of the time

Feminist interpretations: 21st century

• Feminist critics have commented on how Milton's portrayal of Eve reflects and challenges contemporary views on women's roles

• Some feminist scholars argue that Eve's disobedience can be seen as an assertion of autonomy and a rejection of male authority:

  • This challenges traditional interpretations that portray her as merely weak or gullible

  • Her choice, viewed through a feminist lens, can signify a woman's desire for knowledge and self-determination

• Feminist interpretations question whether Eve's interaction with the serpent can be viewed as a symbol of female empowerment and knowledge-seeking:

  • This perspective explores the possibility of Eve's encounter with Satan as an act of curiosity and intellectual pursuit

New Historicist interpretations: 21st century

• A New Historicist interpretation places the poem within its historical and cultural context:

  • It explores how these themes relate to the political climate of Milton’s time

• This approach allows for an understanding of the poem as a text deeply embedded in its time and culture:

  • This allows for an exploration into how the poem reflects the religious and political turmoil of its time, including the English Civil War, the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell

• New Historicists are also interested in how literature can both reinforce and subvert dominant ideologies:

  • It examines how gender roles, class distinctions and religious beliefs are reflected and challenged in the poem

  • This approach illustrates the societal expectations placed on characters like Eve and Adam

Dramatisations

Directors and actors make choices regarding performance, setting, costumes and character portrayals, all of which can influence the audience's understanding of a text. There are different dramatisations of Paradise Lost, which present diverse readings and interpretations of the poem. These interpretations shed light on the depth and complexity of the characters, highlighting diverse aspects of their motivations and psychological states. 

Examining various productions of Paradise Lost will enable you to appreciate different interpretations of the characters and themes and also how they may have evolved over time, reflecting shifts in society and culture. Below is an example of a production of Paradise Lost, though you should view a wide range of performances of the poem to help inform your own interpretations.

Krzysztof Penderecki: “Paradise Lost” (1976)

• Paradise Lost is an opera in two acts with music by Krzysztof Penderecki and an English libretto by Christopher Fry

• The opera's score was seen as a reflection of the cosmic and spiritual themes explored in Milton's poem

• The complexity of Satan's character is highlighted in the opera:

  • His fall from grace and his relentless pursuit of revenge against God are portrayed with a sense of pathos and determination

  • The opera delves into the internal conflict within Satan, which highlights his defiance and resilience despite his circumstances 

• Adam is depicted as a character filled with innocence and wonder, particularly in the prelapsarian scenes:

  • His interactions with the natural world and his awe at the beauty of Eden convey his purity and unspoiled nature 

• God the Father is depicted with a sense of divine majesty and authority:

  • His character accompanies music with a regal quality in order to reflect the supreme nature of his being

  • The opera highlights the benevolence and wisdom of God and juxtaposes these traits with the rebelliousness of Satan

• The opera portrays Adam and Eve with a sense of innocence and vulnerability:

  • The emotional depth of their relationship and the consequences of their choices are explored through the opera's musical themes

• Various angels and demons from Milton's epic, such as Beelzebub, Mammon and Raphael are represented with distinct musical motifs that reflect their personalities and roles:

  • For example, Beelzebub is portrayed with darker and more ominous music, which conveys his malicious intentions, while Raphael is granted greater grace and harmony