“They, looking back, all the eastern side beheldOf Paradise, so late their happy seat,Waved over by that flaming brand, the gateWith dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms:Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon;The world was all before them, where to chooseTheir place of rest, and Providence their guide;They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow,Through Eden took their solitary way.”
Explore This Quote Further
Example of Usage
In John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost," the characters Adam and Eve find themselves expelled from Paradise and faced with the uncertain prospect of starting anew. The passage reflects on their mixed emotions of sorrow and hope as they venture out into the world. The vivid imagery painted by Milton captures the pivotal moment in the poem where Adam and Eve must navigate their unfamiliar surroundings with faith in Providence as their guide.
Analysis of Quote from John Milton's "Paradise Lost"
In this quote from John Milton's "Paradise Lost," Adam and Eve have just been expelled from Paradise and are looking back at their former home. The imagery of the flaming sword, the dreadful faces, and the fiery arms adds a sense of foreboding and loss. Despite feeling natural tears and sorrow, Adam and Eve quickly wipe them away and embrace their new fate. The last lines suggest that they are now faced with the challenge of choosing their own path in a world where Providence will guide them. The image of Adam and Eve walking hand in hand through Eden symbolizes their unity and strength in the face of uncertainty. This quote highlights the themes of loss, resilience, and the power of human agency in Milton's epic poem.
Modern Relevance of John Milton's Paradise Lost
In this passage from John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost," Adam and Eve are depicted leaving Paradise after being expelled by God. Despite their sorrow and uncertainty, they are determined to move forward and find their own path in the world. This theme of resilience in the face of adversity and the pursuit of freedom and self-determination is still relevant today. The idea of forging ahead in the face of challenges and trusting in one's own abilities, with the guidance of providence or a higher power, resonates with modern readers grappling with their own struggles and uncertainties. Just as Adam and Eve embarked on a journey to find their place in the world, individuals today are also navigating their own paths and seeking to create their own destinies.
Reflection Questions
In this passage from "Paradise Lost" by John Milton, we see Adam and Eve leaving Paradise after being expelled. This moment symbolizes the loss of innocence and the beginning of their journey into the unknown world. Reflect on the following questions:
- How do Adam and Eve's emotions and actions in this passage reflect the theme of loss and redemption?
- What do you think Milton is trying to convey about the human experience through Adam and Eve's journey out of Paradise?
- How does the imagery of the gate with "dreadful faces" and "fiery arms" contribute to the tone of the passage?
- Consider the idea of free will and choice presented in the last line "The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide." How does this relate to themes of fate and destiny?
- How does the image of Adam and Eve walking "hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow" evoke a sense of uncertainty and hope in their journey ahead?
Similar quotes
“Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose their place of rest, and Providence their guide: They hand in hand with wand'ring steps and slow, through Eden took their solitary way.”
“The world was all before them, where to chooseTheir place of rest, and Providence their guide:They hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow,Through Eden took their solitary way.”
“Now the thought Both of lost happiness and lasting painTorments him; round he throws his baleful eyesThat witnessed huge affliction and dismayMixed with obdurate pride and steadfast hate:At once as far as angels ken he viewsThe dismal situation waste and wild,A dungeon horrible, on all sides roundAs one great furnace flamed, yet from those flamesNo light, but rather darkness visibleServed only to discover sights of woe,Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peaceAnd rest can never dwell, hope never comesThat comes to all; but torture without endStill urges, and a fiery deluge, fedWith ever-burning sulfur unconsumed.”
“Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit/Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste/Brought death into the world, and all our woe,/With loss of Eden, till one greater Man/Restore us, and regain the blissful seat,/Sing heavenly muse”
“Thither he bent his way, determined there to rest at noon; and entered soon the shadehigh roofed, and walks beneath, and alleys brown,That opened in the midst a woody scene;Nature's own work it seemed, Nature-taught Art”
“A dungeon horrible, on all sides round, As one great furnace flamed; yet from those flames No light; but rather darkness visible Served only to discover sights of woe”