Outline
of Paradise Lost -- Book Five
*lines 1-128 Adam awakes surprised to
find Eve still sleeping. He admires her beauty and then wakes her by calling
her his new delight. She wakes and embraces Adam fearfully. She then tells
Adam of a terrible dream she has had in which an angel tempts her into
eating the forbidden fruit. The angel convinces Eve to eat the fruit by
telling her that it will make her a goddess. Eve eats. Adam is scared by
Eve's dream, but he comforts her by telling her that he knows she would
never eat the forbidden fruit.
[129-152] Eve is comforted, yet a few
tears roll down her cheeks. Adam and Eve get up ready to begin work. Before
going to work they offer praise to God.
*153-165 Adam and Eve begin to praise
God.
[166-204] Still praising God, Adam
and Eve instruct the stars, sun, moon, air, mists, winds, trees, water,
and birds to praise God.
*205-208 Adam and Eve end their praises
asking God to bless and protect them.
[209-223] Adam and Eve begin their
work in the garden. God sees them working, then calls for Raphael, the
sociable angel.
*224-245 God commands Raphael to
go to earth to warn Adam and Eve about Satan.
[246-307] Raphael obeys God's command
and flies to earth to visit Adam and Eve. Back in Eden, Adam is relaxing,
while Eve is preparing the meal. Adam sees an angel coming and calls to
Eve.
*308-330 Adam points out the angel coming
down to Eden and instructs Eve to prepare a fine meal in hopes that the
angel will join them. Eve answers that the meal will consist of only the
finest of fruits.
[331-357] Eve begins to prepare the
meal while the angel (Raphael) arrives in Eden.
*358-377 Adam welcomes Raphael, and
Raphael answers Adam, saying he has come to visit Adam and Eve in the garden.
[377-450] Adam leads Raphael to his
home in Eden. Eve is standing naked waiting for them. Raphael greets her,
calling her the mother of mankind. Adam invites Raphael to join them in
a meal, but Adam is not quite sure whether or not angels can eat the same
food. Raphael explains that he can eat the same food -- showing that men
and angels aren't totally different.
*451-end After the meal, Adam wants
to keep Raphael there. He questions Raphael about Heaven. Raphael answers.
He explains that men and angels aren't extremely different and that men
may one day join the angels. Raphael then tells Adam to be careful and
reminds him that he does have a free will. Adam then asks questions about
the creation. Raphael explains the creation, and through this narrative
he leads into the story of Satan. He explains God's choice of his son to
be at his right hand and explains Satan's disappointment and rebellion.
He then tells the story of Abdiel -- exemplifying free will.
summarized by
Connie R. Morrow