Description of the poet: Follower of the muse, Blind, Consoled with thoughts of other blind poets who can see spiritual light
80-134 The Father's speech -- God justifies Himself
Mankind at fault for the Fall
Father blameless for fall
Nothing is predestined, though God knows what will happen
Mankind, not Satan, will have grace (forgiveness)
Asks what God will do about Satan's (and Mankind's) evil
Saying Death must punish Man unless someone intercedes for him
Son becomes the redeemer out of love for man
Calls on angels to bow and praise Son
Dwellers include builders of Babel,
embryos, idiots, friars, etc.
Stairs like Jacob saw could be drawn up to Heaven
Fiend is excluded from the gates
Satan on lower step looks down at the world
Satan disguises himself as cherub; pretends to praise God and admire Man
Satan asks Uriel, Regent of Sun, about Man
Uriel nor anyone else but God can recognize Satan's hypocrisy
Uriel points Satan to Paradise
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| Book Two | Book Five | Book Eight | Book Eleven |
| Book Three | Book Six | Book Nine | Book Twelve |