THE THEME OF FREEDOM CONSCIOUSNESS IN PARADISE LOST: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS

John Milton (09 December, 1608- 08 Nov, 1674) is a poet, playwright, politician, thinker civil servant as well as social reformer. He himself is a great literary man and politician. The entire age of Milton is dominated by Civil War. Intellectual life continued with vigor surprisingly in view of the purpose of church and universities. But Puritanism, the iron - rule of Cromwell became intolerant of all artistic activities. Music, dancing, theatrical arts suffered much. Moreover, theatres were closed and all artistic activity was banned. In such situation his consciousness awakened. As we know that the freedom of will is essential for creativity. And Milton's philosophy defended freedom of will. He believed that God has given reason to man to choose the right path. Men was free to choose between wrong and right path. His will was not constrained in any way. Since, he chooses freely with any constrained, man himself was responsible for all his fortunes and misfortunes. This paper explores the doctrine of the freedom of will in Paradise Lost. Satan was left free to tempt Adam and Eve because God had given freedom of will to all including Satan. In Paradise Lost freedom consciousness signifies a state of ideal existence where individuals are librated from fear, ignorance and societal divisions living with autonomy and united in knowledge. Adam's true spiritual freedom is found in his voluntary submission to God's Law of Reason while the "fall" into human condition can be seen as a fortunate event that allows for a "paradise within" to be discovered through the struggle of gaining and using reason.