Paradise Lost · Chapter
Book V explained
Eve recounts a troubling dream to Adam, who comforts her.
What happens
Eve recounts a troubling dream to Adam, who comforts her. They begin their day with a morning hymn. God sends Raphael to warn Adam about his free will, obedience, and the near enemy. Raphael descends to Paradise, is welcomed by Adam and Eve, and after a meal, relates the story of Satan's revolt in Heaven, his persuasion of the rebel angels, and the lone opposition of Abdiel.
Themes in this chapter
Obedience and Disobedience
Raphael's mission emphasizes the necessity of obedience to God, and the caution that Adam's happiness depends on his continued obedience.
Free Will and Predestination
Raphael explains that God made Adam perfect but not immutable, and that voluntary service, not necessitated obedience, is required.
Pride and Ambition
Satan's envy and pride at the Son's exaltation lead him to rebel, thinking himself impaired by the honor given to another.
Good Versus Evil
The rebellion in Heaven sets the stage for the cosmic conflict between God's loyal angels and Satan's followers.
Characters to notice
- Adam
Awakens and comforts Eve after her troubling dream; welcomes Raphael and engages in discourse about obedience and free will.
- Eve
Relates her dream of temptation by a winged figure at the Tree of Knowledge; joins Adam in welcoming Raphael.
- Satan
Described as the former Archangel who, driven by pride and envy, resolves to rebel against God and leads a third of Heaven's host.
- God the Father
Sends Raphael to admonish Adam; observes the rebellion rising in Heaven and speaks to the Son about the coming conflict.
- Raphael
Sent by God to warn Adam; descends to Paradise, dines with Adam and Eve, and recounts the story of Satan's revolt.
- Abdiel
The lone Seraph who dissuades and opposes Satan's rebellion, then forsakes him.
- The Serpent
Referenced indirectly as the enemy near at hand, though not directly appearing in this chapter.
Key passages
“Awake, My fairest, my espoused, my latest found, Heaven's last, best gift, my ever-new delight!”
Adam wakes Eve with tender words, calling her his greatest joy and Heaven's final, finest present.
Adam's affectionate greeting highlights his love and the value he places on Eve.
“God made thee perfect, not immutable; And good he made thee, but to persevere He left it in thy power—ordained thy will By nature free, not over-ruled by fate Inextricable, or strict necessity.”
God created you perfect but not unchangeable; your continued goodness depends on your own free will, not on fate.
Raphael explains the nature of free will and the conditionality of Adam's happiness.
“Our voluntary service he requires, Not our necessitated; such with him Finds no acceptance, nor can find; for how Can hearts not free be tried whether they serve Willing or no, who will but what they must By destiny, and can no other choose?”
God wants us to serve him willingly, not because we are forced; only free hearts can truly demonstrate love or obedience.
Raphael emphasizes that genuine obedience must come from free choice.
“He, of the first, If not the first Archangel, great in power, In favour, and pre-eminence, yet fraught With envy against the Son of God, that day Honoured by his great Father, and proclaimed Messiah, King anointed, could not bear Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaired.”
Satan, once among the highest angels, became envious when God honored the Son, and his pride made him feel diminished.
This describes the origin of Satan's rebellion, rooted in pride and envy.
