Sufficient to have stood, or supposed to fall?
The authority of God’s voice in the fall of man in Paradise Lost
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36399/GroundingsUG.6.224Keywords:
Milton, Paradise Lost, God, Anthropomorphism, Voice, Justified Voice, The FallAbstract
Milton’s decision to anthropomorphise God by portraying him as a character in Paradise Lost has caused endless debate amongst critics. Many decry the attempt to humanise and understand the unknowable, but I intend to argue that Milton’s efforts allow the reader to engage with a theological position. By giving God the power to speak, Milton opens up the possibility for discussion. This article will challenge the perception of a perfect God in Paradise Lost and, incorporating theological and literary criticism, advance the argument that God was guilty of deliberately creating a world that was bound to fall through an investigation of his justified voice.
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Copyright (c) 2013 Emily Edwards
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