Paradise Lost – The Garden of Eden
John Milton was born on December 9, 1608 in London. Milton combines the Renaissance and Reformation movement very well in his great literary works. Some of his literary contributions are “Ode to the morning of the Nativity of Christ”, “Lost Paradise”, “L’Allegro” and “II Penseroso” (1633), “Comus” (1634), “Lycidus” (1637) , “Paradise Regained”, “Samson Agonisttes”.
Milton’s “Paradise Lost” is a great epic. It is one of the greatest English epics of all ages. The strong intellectual and creative energy of the poet stands out. “Paradise Lost” is mainly about God, Satan, Adam, Eve, the battle for heaven between God and Satan, the creation of our first man and our first woman: Adam and Eve, their happy hours in the Garden of Eden.
We get a very vivid and accurate description of the Garden of Eden in Book 4 of “Paradise Lost.” Milton shows very well the beauties of paradise. We come to know that Milton’s Garden of Eden and Earthly Paradise are planted by Almighty God east of Eden. He writes:
“Eden stretched her line
From Auran east to the royal city
Of the great Seleucia, built by Greek kings,
Or where the children of Eden long before
Dwelt in Telessar “
Every object in the Garden of Eden is pleasant, fresh and natural. All the trees of Eden are full of fruits and flowers. They are very pretty. We know the TREE of KNOWLEDGE and the TREE OF LIFE. Different types of trees such as cedar, pine and fir create a very beautiful image. These trees form a natural boundary for the Garden of Eden. Each and every one of the trees is laden with fruit. All the trees in the Garden bear fruits and flowers that shine brightly when the sun’s rays fall on them.
The trees of the Orchard are full of really tasty fruits and full of richness. These trees are not artificially planted. They are full of riches and natural qualities. Eden is full of natural treasures. There are meadows, clearings, valleys, where cattle graze freely and happily. All nature has given all are treasures to decorate Paradise. There are various flowers of different colors and smells. Adam and Eve often rest in the shady caves of the Garden.
Even the caves are decorated with trees laden with fruit and vines. The waterfalls provide a soft, murmuring sound. The water is clear as a mirror. The birds sing very sweetly from the trees. The air of Paradise is pure and full of sweet fragrance. In the lap of such beautiful nature, God’s two most beautiful creations are nurturing their relationship. They don’t realize all of Satan’s strange plans.
Milton has given an extensive description of the world of flora and fauna. The entire world of flora contributed to the decoration of Paradise. There are different species of roses and jasmine that appear here and there in the Garden. These flowers are of different smell and color. Crocus, hyacinth decorate the garden floor. Even the animal kingdom is highly described by Milton. There are bears, tigers, elephants and other species of animals. In general, it is very difficult to describe such a pleasant environment.
The sky, the earth, the horizon, the river, the waterfall are full of sweet smell and sound. It is really difficult to find the counterpart of a great garden like the Garden of Eden. The sounds of the bird are delicious to human ears. The Garden’s sunrise and sunset are truly one of the most sought-after and beautiful settings.
Therefore, Milton gives us very accurately the detailed description of the Garden of Eden. Milton is the second great English poet to stand alongside Shakespeare in bringing the nature of words and sentences to readers. Milton is the nature lover. In Book 4, he narrates a scowling description of nature and also the charms of Adam and Eve. Milton always deals with majestic and stately subjects. Milton’s concepts are lofty and grand. “Paradise Lost” is born from his pure imaginative mind. It combines both modernity and ancient and mythological themes, incidents and characters that are larger than life.
