The Virtue of Listening to Counsel in Paradise Lost

In this dissertation, I examine the ways in which Milton, inspired by the Hebraic tradition, recrafts the classical epic form as he places the virtue of listening at the center of his biblical epic. Unlike classical heroes for whom martial prowess and courage matter more than the ability to listen to counsel, the heroes of Paradise Lost stand as heroes because they, first and foremost, listen to God. In hell, the devils pretend to listen, demonstrating that they only bear the pretense of heroism. In fact, listening to take advantage of one another, the infernal peers create an ideal setting for Satan and Beëlzebub to manipulate them. If Satan listens to deceive his followers, Milton's God listens to his creatures for their benefit, not only encouraging them to exercise their free will but also enabling the co-existence of free will and his own foreknowledge. The virtue of listening also plays a crucial role in the narrative of Adam and Eve. They fall when they cease to listen to each other and God, but, through his grace, they learn to listen again. Having regained the virtue of listening, they stand together again as restored heroes as they venture out to the new world.