John Milton & St. Augustine Term Paper

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document

Total Length: 911 words ( 3 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 3

Thy anger had overshadowed me, and I knew it not. I was become deaf by the rattling of the chins of my mortality, the punishment for my soul's pride; and I wandered farther from Thee, and Thou didst "suffer" me; and I was tossed to and fro, and wasted

Augustine's reflections in this passage brought into fore the fact that rebellion against the divine authority was, for him, through the accomplishment of what he considered as 'immoral actions.' Thus, the "dark concupiscence of the flesh" and "pure affection from unholy desire" characterized his rebellion, where he continued committing these undesirable acts despite his knowledge that they were against the standard of morality or what is considered wrong, not only in his society, but in the eyes of God as well. Augustine's personal narrative showed that rebellion against divine authority happened when he was not able to conform with society and the Church's standards of living a 'moral life' -- that is, life lived according to the Church's standards and principles. In effect, Augustine's direct divine authority was the Church, though he was referring to God in his writings.

A similar depiction was evident in Milton's "Paradise Lost," most especially when he re-created his interpretation of Eve's 'rebellion' against God, when she succumbed to the temptation and her want to become as powerful as or more powerful than God. Rebellion was not only evident in Eve's character, but in the Serpent's characterization as well, whose desire to challenge God's authority was reflected in his desire for humanity to commit the original sin against God. Milton described the Serpent's rebellion by characterizing him as an immoral creature, qualities that were considered undesirable by Milton's society and the Church: ".

Stuck Writing Your "John Milton & St. Augustine" Term Paper?

View All Our Example John Milton & St. Augustine Term Paper

Have A Custom Example Essay Written

..the evil one stood abstracted from his own evil, and for a time remained entranced, disarmed of enmity, of guile, hate, envy, or revenge. But the hot hell that always in him burns...Fierce hate regrew and returned all thoughts of mischief, to destroy all pleasure save that which is had in destroying."

Milton's depiction of the theme showed that rebellion against divine authority was the commitment of a life led and motivated by "guile, hate, envy, or revenge." His depiction of this kind of immorality stemmed from the fact that humanity had committed its first sin based on these evil characteristics, hence Milton considered it the foremost of all immoral acts. In effect, feelings of guile, hate, envy, or revenge were considered as immoral by Milton, thereby making an individual who feels these as rebelling against the divine authority, God......

Show More ⇣

     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"John Milton & St Augustine" (2005, May 12) Retrieved May 17, 2024, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/john-milton-st-augustine-66198

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"John Milton & St Augustine" 12 May 2005. Web.17 May. 2024. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/john-milton-st-augustine-66198>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"John Milton & St Augustine", 12 May 2005, Accessed.17 May. 2024,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/john-milton-st-augustine-66198
   

Open, View, and/or
Download this Document
order custom essay example