1. What is Paradise? Describe what paradise is to you in 5-7 sentences using specific examples. You may also choose to illustrate your description.

2. Paradise Recall Jot down what “Paradise” was for Adam and Eve. Jot down what “Paradise” was for Adam and Eve.

3. Paradise Consider the Babylonian view of paradise: Consider the Babylonian view of paradise: “Edinn”: an innocent, clear, and sun-filled land, where gods are forever young, healthy and amiable. At the command of the water god Enki, the sun god Utu brings water to Paradise and creates a lush garden bursting with fruit. “Edinn”: an innocent, clear, and sun-filled land, where gods are forever young, healthy and amiable. At the command of the water god Enki, the sun god Utu brings water to Paradise and creates a lush garden bursting with fruit.

4. Paradise Consider the Greek view of paradise: Consider the Greek view of paradise: Paradise is a garden of the Hesperides, the home of the daughters of Atlas, the evening star. Assisted by a dragon, the inhabitants guard the tree that gives the golden apples. Paradise is a garden of the Hesperides, the home of the daughters of Atlas, the evening star. Assisted by a dragon, the inhabitants guard the tree that gives the golden apples.

5. Paradise Consider the African tales view of paradise: Consider the African tales view of paradise: A beautiful garden with ample food and leisure. There is no death or disease. Humans live in harmony with animals. A beautiful garden with ample food and leisure. There is no death or disease. Humans live in harmony with animals.

6. Paradise Archetype What do all 4 have in common? What do all 4 have in common? Why do you suppose these commonalities exist? Why do you suppose these commonalities exist? What does this suggest about the ideal human life? What does this suggest about the ideal human life? Does your view of paradise match with any of the previous descriptions? Explain. Does your view of paradise match with any of the previous descriptions? Explain.

7. Paradise Lost Inspired by… Inspired by… Loss of vision—dictated the story to his daughters Loss of vision—dictated the story to his daughters Loss of faith in country Loss of faith in country Civil unrest/battle in country Civil unrest/battle in country Why is he telling the story? Why is he telling the story?

8. Paradise Lost Begins in the middle w/ a prayer to a muse, god or goddess (epic conventions) Begins in the middle w/ a prayer to a muse, god or goddess (epic conventions) Milton introduces Satan who, with his angel allies, has done the unthinkable—rebelled against God. Milton introduces Satan who, with his angel allies, has done the unthinkable—rebelled against God. Expelled from Heaven, they have plummeted into Hell, a place devoid of light, life, and even form Expelled from Heaven, they have plummeted into Hell, a place devoid of light, life, and even form

9. Reviewing the Epic Hero (epic convention) Archetype They are appealing characters who make mistakes. They are appealing characters who make mistakes. They are characters who enjoy prosperity and favor. They are characters who enjoy prosperity and favor. They are inhibited by a character flaw. They are inhibited by a character flaw. They go on an Epic Journey—Following an epic hero cycle They go on an Epic Journey—Following an epic hero cycle

10. Paradise Lost Who is the epic hero? The ultimate question. Who is the epic hero? The ultimate question.

11. Paradise Lost Satan’s war with Heaven is Milton’s invention. Satan’s war with Heaven is Milton’s invention. The remainder of the story is the familiar one of Christian tradition. God has forbidden Adam and Eve to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The remainder of the story is the familiar one of Christian tradition. God has forbidden Adam and Eve to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

12. A Cosmic Commentary Reason and Free Will Reason and Free Will Humanity can see the difference between right and wrong. With that ability comes the freedom to choose between the two. Humanity can see the difference between right and wrong. With that ability comes the freedom to choose between the two. Free Will and Predestination Free Will and Predestination God knows everything that is, was, and will be. Yet God’s foreknowledge does not mean that people’s choices are determined in advance by God. People have free will. God knows everything that is, was, and will be. Yet God’s foreknowledge does not mean that people’s choices are determined in advance by God. People have free will.