An Interpretation of Free Willin John Milton’s Paradise Lost

• Main Authors: En-chen Liang, 梁恩誠
• Other Authors: Kai-chong Cheung
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/41793342482031814103

碩士 === 東吳大學 === 英文學系 === 95 === There are two essential aspects to John Milton’s concept of free will. First, when man exercises his free will, it is a voluntary act uninhibited by eternal foreknowledge. Secondly, being intellectual, an act of free will must be based on reason. With these two aspects in mind, however, we find that while the acts of free will exercised by Satan, Adam and Eve were voluntary, they still differed from what Milton--or his God--had in mind. These acts of free will were not altogether based on the right reason that, by Milton’s definition, meant obedience to God. In Milton’s work, Satan lusts for power and dares to challenge and defeat an omnipotent God; Eve herself desires to become God like while Adam’s is simply overcome by his love for Eve. Although they had the freedom to choose, their reasons for acting on free will were wrong and they had to accept responsibility for their own actions and face the consequences. God might be responsible for all that happens in His universe but His creatures are not bound by obedience to their Maker. They are responsible for their own actions and ultimately shape their own destiny.