BOOK IV - Satan in Eden

Here's a brief outline of Book IV - our first view of Eden, Paradise, and our human ancestors. (A full outline can be found here).


At last on terra firma, Milton can allow his sensuous powers of description and rich palette full play. But note that our entrance and gaze are complicated by the fact that we do not enter the garden on our own, but rather as voyeurs looking over Satan's shoulder as he furtively sneaks in.

A. Satan enters Eden [1-287] 

• . . .  1. His passionate speech to the Sun [32-] 
• . . .  2. He approaches Paradise [114-] 
• .  . . 3. He enters the Garden [172-287] 
• .  . . . . . . . a) He hides in the Tree of Life [172-] 
• .. . . . . . . . b) The Garden of Eden described [205-] 

B. Satan discovers Adam and Eve [288-539] 

• . . . .1. Satan sees the human couple [288-] 
• . . . .2. He expresses jealousy of them [358-] 
• . . .  3. Taking the forms of various animals, Satan eavesdrops on them [408-] 
• . . . .4. He plots their ruin [502-] 

C. Uriel warns Gabriel of Satan's presence [540-] 

D. Satan is banished from Paradise [598-1015] 

• . . . .1. Adam and Eve retire [598-775] 
• . . . . . . . .. a) Their discourse on the night sky [610-] 
• . . . . . .  . . b) They go to the bower and say evening prayers [689-] 
• . . . . .. . . . c) They lay together in conjugal love [736-] 

. . . .2. Satan is discovered [776-1015] 

• . . . . . . . . .a) Gabriel sends his angels to patrol the Garden [776-] 
• . . . . . . .  . b) Satan is found near the human couple and is apprehended [797-] 
• . . . . . .. . . c) Gabriel banishes him from Paradise [864-1015]