The poem tells the story of Jesus Christ's temptation in the wilderness after his baptism and before he began his ministry. It explores themes of free will, morality, and the nature of God. Jesus is tempted by Satan to abandon his divine mission and indulge in worldly pleasures. The temptations are presented as a series of philosophical debates between Jesus and Satan, with each side presenting its arguments for and against the idea that Jesus should give up his mission. Throughout the poem, Milton portrays Jesus as a strong and confident figure who resists Satan's temptations and remains committed to his divine purpose. The poem also explores the nature of God and the relationship between God and humanity. The poem is written in blank verse, with a focus on the musicality of language and the use of classical allusions to create a sense of grandeur and majesty.
By John Milton · First published 1671 · Genre: Epic Poetry, Religious Literature, Philosophical Literature · 4 chapters