THE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE OF PARADISE LOST

The following schematic plan of the narrative structure of the poem makes it easy for you to see the distribution of the events. Note that the poem is divided into 12 books.

I. Hell. Satan rallies the fallen angels II. Hell. The council in Pandemonium III. Heaven. The council in Heaven Limbo and the Sun. Satan's journey IV. Paradise. Satan spies on Adam and Eve V. Paradise. Raphael arrives Flashback: War in Heaven VI. Flashback: War in Heaven VII. Flashback: Creation of the world VIII. Flashback: Creation of Adam and formation of Eve IX. Paradise. The Fall X. Heaven. Judgment Chaos. Sin and Death build bridge Hell. Fallen angels turn into snakes Paradise. Adam and Eve quarrel XI. Paradise. Sentence on Adam and Eve Flash-forward: The World until Noah's flood XII. Flash-forward: The World to the second coming Paradise. Adam and Eve leave for Eden

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