Questions from Journal Entries, "Paradise Lost," Book III

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What is the relation of Son to Father?

What is the movement of the narrative/story?

Who is the narrator addressing at the opening of Book III?

Why is heaven so boring?

How does the fact that God speaks influence our reading of his character? Does it humanize him? Why does God speak here?

Why does God create man (when the fallen angels have already proven a failure)? Is he bored? Does he want someone to rule over?

What makes God's rule in heaven better than Satan's in Hell? Is God really just and merciful?

Why does God need praise from his angels and man? Why does he demand a sacrifice to save mankind?

Why is Christ willing to save man, when God won't? Why is Christ the only one to volunteer for the job? Why does Milton present Christ's acceptance of this job so far in advance of when it will happen? Is Christ's "sacrifice" real when he won't actually die?

Does man really have a choice (when he doesn't have a clear picture of the consequences)? Does God's foreknowledge prevent man's free will? Why doesn't God step in and save man from Satan?

Why does man receive mercy from God when Satan doesn't?

Does Satan know about Christ? Or is he just another secret weapon of God's?

What exactly is Satan's purpose for tempting man?

What is the paradise of Fools (line 496)? Limbo of Vanity? Why are they there?

Why is Satan able to deceive Uriel?