ASSIGNMENT Milton

ASSIGNMENT
Subject: History of English Literature

Submitted to: Ms. Tasmia Khanum
Submitted by: Maryam Iftikhar
Department: BS English
Semester: 3rd
Q. How Milton Justified The Ways of God to Men?
Origin of To Justify the Ways of God to Men
Milton in Paradise Lost justifies God’s action of punishment at evil and

redemption to true repentance. God’s wrath is directed towards Satan whereas
God’s forgiveness is revealed in Adam’s and Eve’s repentance. Milton explains the
cause of man’s fall. He argues that the fall of man is fortunate, though its outcomes
would be bad. However, human beings, he reiterates, would endure, as it is the
execution of God’s purpose. No doubt, humankind would suffer the consequences
for their faults, yet they would find the mercy and grace of God through knowledge
and experience.
Milton sets himself “to justify the ways of God to man” by portraying Satan’s
sufferings and Adam’s and Eve’s banishment for trespassing and disobeying God.
Milton rationalizes the penalties for pure evilness and redemption given for true
repentance.
Meaning of To Justify the Ways of God to Men
“Justifying the ways of God,” refers to God’s nature to turn everything from bad to
good. God has created the earth, and humans to replace bad angels, this is exactly
the difference between God and Satan, who is an egoist, thinks only of his
interests, and vowed to seek vengeance upon God for expelling him from heaven,
by converting good to evil. Apparently, God seems to be arbitrary in setting the
law, and Satan looks reasonable for being rebellious. Hence, the poet feels a
compulsion to talk about God’s case and grace. The free will of man causes his
own down fall. Man was given free will by God, not to use unwisely or either
against God’s wish.
Usage of To Justify the Ways of God to Men

In common usage, this phrase can be applied to describe our fate or destiny. For
example, if we find happiness or sadness, we can justify it as the will of God, who
is Almighty and Sovereign. We assume that whatever good comes to us is because
of Him, and that would be for our advantage as He has done with Adam and Eve.
The bad things in our lives happen, on the other hand, due to our own faults.
However, its best use is in literary speeches and literary gatherings.
Literary Source of To Justify the Ways of God to Men
We find this phrase in Book-I of Milton’s poem, “Paradise Lost, where the poet
says:
“Of man’s first disobedience, and the fruit
Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste …
I may assert eternal providence,
And justify the ways of God to men.”
(Book-I, Lines, 1-26)
We observe disobedience in bad angels and Satan. In fact, Satan spreads his lies
everywhere about the tyranny of God, whereas God gives Satan his liberty, and
extends protection to Adam and Eve through education.
Literary Analysis of To Justify the Ways of God to Men

From a literary point of view, this is a heavy sentence that has put the entire book
in just one theme. Here the poet’s idea of justification is nothing about arrogance.
He has not used this word “justification” in modern sense to prove how an action
can be justified. He has rather used it to show the justice underlying an action.
Milton is trying to show that death, fall, and salvation of man are acts of a just
God. Thus, to understand its theme, readers need to not acknowledge his ideas as a
proof of actions of God; rather, they need to understand the concept and idea of
justice lying behind God’s actions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Milton as a follower of Puritanism justifies Almighty and “His ways

to men”. Following his declaration of reasoning God’s ways to man Milton
displays his position in the English revolution. Milton, who represented the
Calvinists, rebelled against the tyrant who misused the divine power of the God
and the king undergoes the consequences of God’s wrath with his life. Similarly
Satan, Adam and Eve pay off for their disobedience to God. God justly punishes
the sinful humans and evil Satan. Adam and Eve accept their misbehavior and they
were forgiven for their true repentance whereas Satan continues his expedition of
outweighing God’s power. In consequence Satan experiences the utter miseries in
the world. Considering the aforementioned facts it is visible that Milton has
successfully achieved his aim of “justifying the ways of God to man” in ‘Paradise
Lost’.

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ASSIGNMENT

Subject: History of English Literature

Origin of To Justify the Ways of God to Men

Milton in Paradise Lost justifies God’s action of punishment at evil and

Meaning of To Justify the Ways of God to Men

Usage of To Justify the Ways of God to Men

Literary Source of To Justify the Ways of God to Men

“Of man’s first disobedience, and the fruit

Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste …

I may assert eternal providence,

And justify the ways of God to men.”

(Book-I, Lines, 1-26)

Literary Analysis of To Justify the Ways of God to Men

In conclusion, Milton as a follower of Puritanism justifies Almighty and “His ways

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