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Paradise Lost, Book VII

From Paradise Lost by John Milton

Book VII of Paradise Lost stands at the centre of Milton's epic. In it, the archangel Raphael tells Adam the story of Creation, recounting how God, after the rebellion and fall of Satan, chose to bring forth a new world and a new race. Milton composed this work in the mid-seventeenth century, a period of political upheaval and theological debate; by the time it was published in 1667, he was blind, out of political favour, and convinced of his poetic calling. The work is as much argument as narrative: it advances a vision of divine sovereignty, human freedom and the proper bounds of knowledge. This text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. Book VII is worth reading because it presents, in elevated blank verse, one of the most sustained meditations in English on the act of creation, the relationship between maker and made, and the responsibilities that come with reason and freedom.

Band

Silver · First-year university levelTypical starting range: adult

Length

long · about 1665 words in 5 sections · 1 picture

Source

Paradise Lost, John Milton

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

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