Most important passage in Paradise lost

[sbshox523]

I was wondering what everyone thinks is the most important passage in Paradise Lost? I wrote an essay saying Book 9 in the scene where Eve is tempted, rationalizes, and eats the fruit from the forbidden tree. For 3 reasons:

1. It shows the importance of not straying from God's will

2. It establishes Adam as the hero of Paradise Lost through eating the apple and following Eve into mortality

3.The fact that both Adam and Eve fell essentially opens up the world to the evils that were previously concealed such as Sin and Death and their presence paves the way for many of the important stories of the Bible to unfold such as Cain and Abel, The Tower of Babel, Noah's Ark, and the coming of The Son.

Opinions?

[danJAHrous]

I would like to point out that I have to disagree strongly about the statement of Adam being the hero because he followed Eve into mortality. First of all, he was right beside her when she rationalised and ate. A real hero, in my book, would have stopped her, would have shut down her "rationalising" and pointed her back to her Creator. This is where we have, as men, collectively failed woman, to our own hurt and demise. Just turn on a TV and you will see exactly what I mean. Just recently, a survey in my country revealed that 66% of females would rather be "glamour models", or as I call them, "strippers", than they would be doctors, nurses, teachers. Just recently, I spoke with God on this and He told me:-"You know how I define a harlot?" To which I replied "No." "Anyone who places a price on their sexuality". That means, in His eyes, there is no difference between a stripper, a lap dancer or a prostitute. I have to admit that I can see no fault in His reasoning. I don't have any opinion on what the most important passage in the work is, as in my mind, the whole work is important!!!!!!! I am reading it for the first time and am up to book three. Maybe, my opinion will change on what the most important passage is on completion. Peace and all blessing in Christ's matchless name.

[weltanschauung]

Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
Said then the lost Arch-Angel, this the seat
That we must change for Heav'n, this mournful gloom
For that celestial light? Be it so, since he
Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid
What shall be right: fardest from him is best
Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream
Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields
Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail
Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
A mind not to be chang'd by Place or Time.
The mind is its own place, and in it self
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less then he
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n.
But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,
Th' associates and copartners of our loss
Lye thus astonisht on th' oblivious Pool,
And call them not to share with us their part
In this unhappy Mansion, or once more
With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
Regaind in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?

[Charles Kellas]

The most important passage, in my opinion is, Satan tells Beelzebub that "the mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n." Book 1, lines 254-5. This quote is the first one that takes God out of Satan's decision, and relies on himself, regardless of the situation.

[Kayleigh]

But that specific passage is also true in that we can make our own hell. Satan proves it by later giving a monologue stating that hell follows him, he is hell

[ms33]

The greatest passage from Paradise Lost is almost all of Book I. Is there anything so spectacular in all of the English language?