75 pages 2 hours read

John Milton

Paradise Lost

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | Adult | Published in 1667

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Book 12

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Book 12 Summary

Although Michael can see Adam’s distress at the fate of mankind, he continues his story. Noah essentially becomes the next Adam (though more righteous and less sinful), and the future continues to unfurl with lost souls and righteous men. Michael shows Adam the Tower of Babel, which will stretch toward Heaven, and the king who will be punished when everyone starts speaking in different tongues. Michael tells Adam about Abraham, Moses, and Aaron, a family of men who will free the Israelites from enslavement and lead them back to the Land of Canaan, where there will be a Messiah who will free mankind from Adam’s original sin. Adam sees Moses transcribing the Ten Commandments, the Red Sea parting, and a man born of a virgin who will defeat Death. Although the stories are terrifying, Adam expresses gratitude that there is eventual salvation. He wonders aloud if his fall was actually a good thing because it leads to Judgment Day. Adam and Michael descend the mountain, and Adam and Eve walk out of Paradise and into their future.

Related Titles

By John Milton

Study Guide

logo

Areopagitica

John Milton

Areopagitica

John Milton

Study Guide

logo

On the Late Massacre in Piedmont

John Milton

On the Late Massacre in Piedmont

John Milton

Study Guide

logo

Paradise Regained

John Milton

Paradise Regained

John Milton

Study Guide

logo

Samson Agonistes

John Milton

Samson Agonistes

John Milton

Study Guide

logo

When I Consider How My Light is Spent

John Milton

When I Consider How My Light is Spent

John Milton