Questions about Book III

Why do you think Milton chooses to place the "Invocation to Light" at this particular place in PL?

How is God described?

Why does God call man an "ingrate" when he has yet to do anything wrong?

What is God's explanation for allowing free will?

Is foreknowledge the same as predestination?

What is the difference between the fallen angels and fallen mankind?

How does Christ differ from God?

What question does Christ ask God?

Can one use free will to work one's way to salvation?

Does the idea of the "elect" suggest that there is predestination?

What does God give to man to help him toward salvation?

Who is excluded from mercy?

Why must mankind face death?

What parallel to Book II takes place around line 215?

What does Christ offer?

Since everything is now settled, why do we have to have nine more books of Paradise Lost?

How does God explain the importance of Christ's sacrifice?

Who is responsible for the last judgment? Is this reassuring?

Do you notice any additional parallels to book II? (look for language parallels, images, events, etc.)

Meanwhile, back on earth....

How is the created universe structured?

What simile is used to illustrate Satan's descent to earth (and what does it say about him)?

What is the Paradise of Fools, and why does Milton describe it here when it doesn't yet exist in the time scheme of the poem?

What is the description of Jacob's Ladder here for?

Around line 570, there seems to be a reference to an odd idea about the stars. What is it, and what might it signify?

Satan is then compared to something else, around line 587. What is it, and why is it appropriate?

Who is Uriel?

How does Satan appear to Uriel?

What does Satan claim to be doing here?

Why can't Uriel see through Satan's disguise?

How does Uriel describe the creation of the earth?