John Milton and Alexander Pope
share the same premise regarding evil and the destruction of mankind. However,
when we read Pope’s interpretation, we find a much more versatile and pervasive
sense of evil. In Paradise Lost, Milton
views pride and ambition as the source of evil--as does Pope. However, Milton understands
this evil as an abomination against God and focuses on the biblical history of
its origins. In Milton’s poem we have an ability to hear God speak, asserting:
“whose fault? / Whose but his own? Ingrate, he had me/ All he could have; I
made him just and right, / Sufficient to have stood, though free to fall”
(Paradise Lost; book 3, L. 96-99). Evil, in Milton’s mind, sprung from Satan’s
head “…self tempted, self-depraved” and the only way to repair
his mistake is through the “one grater Man” ; our mission being
salvation. When we read Paradise Lost,
the ultimate conclusion is; because we sinned against God, due to our ambition
and pride, we now must repent and realize our mistake in order to be redeemed
by our liberator, Jesus Christ, and once again live in eternal paradise.
Pope
alternatively, gave us a more practical explanation of evil and that of the
ramifications. He insists that the hierarchy, “from Infinite to thee” (An Essay
on Man; S.8, L.240), relies on mans ability to see the negative effect lofty
desires have on the “Eternal Cause” (L.130). This image of an eternal cause
ignites a feeling of unity with the cause rather than a stark separation.
Although the title elicits an omnipotent reaction, it is, by definition,
extremely positivistic. The word “cause” allows us the ability to produce an
effect, meaning; although the cause is eternal our sin only comes from our
inversion of the laws of order (L.129-130). If we choose to submit to our place,
we as a society can live in peace and harmony (L.285); this is a huge
progression from Milton’s perspective. With Milton, we didn’t have a choice;
our salvation was dependant upon a savior. Pope gives us an attainable goal and
the ability to choose to keep things in their perfect order, ultimately
securing our happiness.
