Paradise Lost

“…the books…consisted of Paradise Lost…” (pg. 150-151)

Paradise Lost is an epic poem written by John Milton. In the poem Satan, who was once an angel, is cast away from Heaven after making an opposition against God. Once ostracized, Satan seeks revenge by enticing the innocent Eve to the eat forbidden fruit. As the result of Eve’s consumption of the forbidden fruit, she and her counterpart, Adam, are banished from the Garden of Eden. Shelley references this famous poem because Satan’s fall from power and Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Paradise are strikingly similar to Frankenstein’s fall after creating his monster. Frankenstein’s experiments defy normality and contradict nature causing him to stray from the good of humankind.

"Paradise Lost: Short Summary." Paradise Lost Study Guide. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://www.paradiselost.org/5-sum-short.html

Photo Credit: The Garden of Eden. Digital image. Web. 13 Aug. 2009. http://www.oilpaintingshop.com/janbrueghel/4.jpg