Paradise Lost Book 4
Important Questions
1. Satan is the master of disguise in Milton’s Paradise Lost, Book IV. Comment on Satan’s character based on
the disguises he takes in Paradise Lost, Book IV.
Ans. In Paradise Lost, Book IV, John Milton portrays Satan as a complex and multifaceted figure, embodying the “master
of disguise” as he enters Eden. Satan’s skillful manipulation of form and character reveals not only his tactical mind but
also his profound internal conflict and ambition. The various disguises he adopts in Book IV serve both as a means of
concealment and as symbolic representations of his inner struggle. Through Satan’s shapeshifting, Milton explores themes
of deception, pride, and the fallen nature of ambition, making him one of literature’s most intriguing anti-heroes.
Satan’s entrance into Paradise is accompanied by his initial transformation into a cormorant, a seabird that is often associated
with gluttony and greed. Perched atop the Tree of Life, he surveys Eden with envy and resentment. This choice of disguise
is significant, as the cormorant’s behavior of watching and waiting mirrors Satan’s calculating nature, positioning him as a
silent predator amidst the purity of Eden. His choice of the cormorant, however, also hints at the emptiness within him—
though he seeks to corrupt and control, he can never truly partake in the beauty or divine presence of Eden, illustrating his
isolation from God.
Later in Book IV, Satan adopts a second disguise, taking the form of a lion and then a tiger as he prowls closer to Adam and
Eve. These forms emphasize his predatory intentions and underline his increasing aggression and restlessness. The lion and
tiger, both symbols of power and ferocity, reflect Satan’s own desire to assert dominance over Paradise and disrupt the
harmony he once enjoyed in Heaven. This dual transformation illustrates the fluctuating nature of Satan’s ambition; he
oscillates between calculated restraint and primal, unchecked aggression, embodying the internal conflict that drives his
actions.
Finally, Satan adopts the guise of a cherub, mimicking an angelic figure to avoid detection by Uriel, one of the archangels
guarding Paradise. This disguise is perhaps his most profound, as it symbolizes his fundamental conflict: he still clings to
aspects of his former angelic self, yet he is irrevocably corrupted. His cherubic disguise allows him to manipulate others
with the illusion of innocence, betraying his willingness to exploit divine appearances for his own ends. This transformation
reveals Satan’s ability to deceive not only others but himself, as he continues to justify his actions through pride and denial.
Throughout Book IV, Satan’s disguises reflect his fragmented identity. Each transformation symbolizes a part of his broken
psyche—greedy like the cormorant, predatory like the lion and tiger, and falsely innocent like the cherub. Milton uses these
disguises to portray Satan’s descent into self-deception, as he becomes increasingly entangled in his own web of lies. These
forms allow Milton to explore the psychological and moral dimensions of Satan’s character, emphasizing his complex
motivations and the inherent tragedy of his rebellion. By embodying various creatures, Satan reveals his inability to maintain
a stable sense of self, reflecting his perpetual fall from grace and his ultimate alienation from divine truth.
This portrayal of Satan as the “master of disguise” not only emphasizes his deceptive nature but also underscores the irony
of his ambition. Despite his attempts to assert control, his transformations ultimately reinforce his own loss of identity.
Milton thus crafts Satan as a tragic figure whose disguises become manifestations of his inner turmoil, highlighting the cost
of rebellion and the self-destructive nature of pride. Through his shifting forms in Book IV, Satan stands as a symbol of
corrupted ambition, eternally grasping for power yet forever divided against himself.
2. Man was destined to fall but had a little help from the devil. Argue in favour or against the statement with
appropriate instances from Milton’s Paradise Lost, Book IV.
Ans. In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Book IV, the question of humanity’s fall centers around the tension between divine
providence, human free will, and Satan’s manipulation. The statement “Man was destined to fall but had a little help from
the devil” invites debate over the roles of fate, individual choice, and external influence. By analyzing key instances from
Book IV, we can argue that while humanity’s fall was within the bounds of divine foreknowledge, it was neither predestined
nor inevitable. Instead, the fall reflects a combination of free will and Satan’s calculated interference, highlighting both
human vulnerability and the moral complexity of temptation.
Milton emphasizes early on that Adam and Eve are endowed with free will. God, while omniscient, has deliberately created
humans with the freedom to choose obedience or disobedience. This freedom is integral to Milton’s theology; a genuine
love for God, in his view, can only emerge from the exercise of choice, not compulsion. In Book IV, Satan observes Adam
and Eve with envy and resentment, noting their innocence and blissful harmony. His desire to corrupt them stems from his
own rebellion, not from any intrinsic flaw in their character. Thus, while humans are morally and intellectually capable of
resisting temptation, Satan’s interference exploits their inexperience, leading them toward the path of disobedience.
A key scene that underscores the role of Satan as an instigator occurs when he enters Eden in disguise. Cloaked in the form
of a cormorant, he perches atop the Tree of Life, gazing upon Adam and Eve and plotting their downfall. Satan’s cunning
approach reveals his mastery of deception. He knows he cannot force them to disobey; instead, he seeks to manipulate their
perceptions, encouraging doubt and curiosity. His deliberate choice of disguise and his calculated observations show that
he is the catalyst for the fall, leveraging his understanding of human nature to sow seeds of rebellion. By positioning himself
as an external instigator, Satan does not “force” the fall but strategically guides Adam and Eve towards it, reinforcing the
idea that while humanity was vulnerable, Satan’s interference significantly contributed to their downfall.
Satan’s jealousy is further evident in his internal monologues, where he reflects on the happiness and harmony shared by
Adam and Eve. His motivations for tempting them are rooted in his own sense of loss and pride, as he despises their
innocence and the joy they derive from divine obedience. Rather than focusing solely on their vulnerability, Milton shows
that Satan’s resentment and ambition are driving forces behind his actions. This dynamic suggests that, although Adam and
Eve were susceptible to influence, they might have remained obedient without Satan’s interference. His role, therefore, is
not simply that of a passive observer but an active force determined to corrupt what he cannot attain.
Another crucial element in this argument is Eve’s reaction to her reflection in the water. This scene symbolizes her
burgeoning self-awareness and latent curiosity, which Satan later manipulates. Though Eve’s fascination with her image is
innocent, it hints at a vulnerability that Satan will exploit. When he whispers his temptations, he appeals to this emerging
sense of self, encouraging her to explore beyond her given boundaries. Yet, Eve’s susceptibility is not synonymous with
predestination; rather, it highlights the human tendency toward curiosity and self-discovery, traits that can lead to either
growth or destruction. Satan’s whispering only nudges her in a certain direction, showing that while humans possess the
freedom to make moral choices, they can also be influenced by persuasive forces.
In conclusion, while humans in Paradise Lost possess the potential for error due to their inherent curiosity and sense of self,
the fall is not inevitable. It is Satan’s intervention that steers Adam and Eve towards disobedience, manipulating their free
will rather than nullifying it. In this way, Milton emphasizes that the fall results from a complex interplay of free will and
external temptation, not from predestination. Adam and Eve’s choice to disobey stems from their individual autonomy, but
their ultimate downfall is significantly shaped by Satan’s calculated interference. Therefore, while humanity was destined
to exercise free will, the fall itself was neither predestined nor unavoidable—without Satan’s manipulations, Adam and Eve
might have remained within the bounds of divine obedience.
Paradise Lost Book 4
Short Questions
1. Distinguish between a simile and an epic simile. Give an instance of each from Paradise Lost, Book IV.
A simile is a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two different things using “like” or “as” to highlight
similarities. It is usually brief and focuses on a single point of resemblance.
An epic simile (also known as a Homeric simile) is an extended simile used in epic poetry. It goes into more elaborate detail
and often compares complex actions, scenes, or emotions to vivid images from nature, myth, or everyday life, providing a
deeper level of description and emphasis.
Example of a simile from Paradise Lost, Book IV: “Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks / In Vallombrosa.” Here,
Milton uses a simple simile to compare the fallen angels to leaves fallen in autumn, giving an image of their vast number
and lifelessness.
Example of an epic simile from Paradise Lost, Book IV: “As when the shrewd contriver of all harm / Had wrought his will,
discovered and surprised, / To have possessed the goodliest man of men / And worst of thieves…” Here, Milton compares
Satan to a thief, who feels momentarily triumphant after successfully stealing, only to feel the shame and dread of his act
afterward. This epic simile elaborates on Satan’s feelings of guilt and the dissonance between his desires and actions,
allowing readers to engage with the complexity of his emotions.
2. Who are the angels who keep a watch on the gates of Paradise? Why do they do so?
The angels who keep watch over the gates of Paradise are Gabriel and his company of sentries. Gabriel is a powerful
archangel, loyal to God, and has been tasked with guarding Eden. They are responsible for ensuring that no evil or harmful
entity enters Paradise, maintaining the sanctity of Eden. They especially keep watch to detect Satan, who has been
attempting to infiltrate Eden since he was cast out of Heaven. Their role is to protect Adam and Eve from Satan’s corruption
and prevent him from bringing harm into God’s creation.
3. Why does Satan become a cormorant in Milton’s Paradise Lost, Book IV?
In Book IV, Satan transforms into a cormorant, a seabird known for its gluttony, and perches atop the Tree of Life in Eden.
This disguise serves several symbolic and practical purposes. First, the cormorant’s association with greed and relentless
hunger mirrors Satan’s own insatiable desire for power and destruction. By choosing this form, Satan is reflecting his internal
corruption and his yearning to consume and dominate. Practically, the bird’s vantage point allows him to survey Eden from
above, spying on Adam and Eve and learning more about their innocence and relationship. Through this transformation,
Milton emphasizes Satan’s predatory nature and the perversion of his once-angelic state.
