Ben Gray Lumpkin 'Fate In Paradise Lost' By John Milton

Paradise Lost is a knowledgeable and heart-wrenching poem by John Milton. Ben Gray Lumpkin took it upon himself to write an article titled Fate in “Paradise Lost.” The article centers around the idea that there are numerous references and meanings to the word “fate” inside Milton’s poem. The meaning of the word depends on which character spoke a specific line. Lumpkin chose passages from the poem that argued Milton refuted Satan’s conception of fate as a power superior to God. He emphasized passages where fate is used as a “divine decree or a will of God” and “fate as an active, blind force superior to and controlling God.” Lumpkin goes on to explain various scenes where fate is used to support Milton’s argument and his two opposed senses for the words meaning.
This line is consistent with Milton’s reasoning that Satan believed fate is a power superior to God by him using fatal course. It is then when God states “what I will is fate,” that God defines fate as being His will and not His superior. Lumpkin describes lines where fate is used to express the opinions of those cast from Heaven. Moloc agrees with Satan’s reasoning that fate is the reason God’s throne is unrelenting. Beliel is not sure if “everlasting fate shall yield to fickle chance.” He is uncertain if fate will shift to their side or if it even can. Lumpkin mentions God’s side to the debate about fate. God says that man is accountable for his own acts and the fall of them cannot be blamed on fate. It is not fate which has done the worse to the casted angels but the fact that they ordered their own fall from