Milton's Paradise Lost Book IV (Part 1)

1. As Satan approaches the perfect Garden of Eden, he reflects on the perfect heaven he once lived in. He asks himself whether or not if he repented, he would be allowed entrance into heaven again through God's forgiveness. As he argues with himself, he is watched by the archangel Uriel, whom Satan tricked into giving him the directions to Eden by telling him he is a Cherub. Uriel realises that Satan must be a demon when he makes facial expressions in his internal argument, since Cherubs can only express joy. Satan hops over the walls of Eden and observes the creation, he is both enraged and envious. Satan listens and watches Adam and Eve as they explore the Garden, he listens and plans, figuring the best way to corrupt these creatures. He hears Adam direct Eve away from the Tree of Knowledge, reminding her of God's single rule. He begins to use this information to scheme a plan of corruption. 

2. Satan's soliloquy speaks to the current state of judgment he finds himself in. Upon seeing the good creation that God had made, Satan remembers his past self. He used to live with God and relished in his good. Now he is in turmoil and self-sustenance, he is Hell. Satan thinks about whether or not he would be given forgiveness if he did repent. He convinces himself that he wouldn't be, and he is completely correct. Satan can only see himself as a victim of God, never of himself. His repentance can thus only be toward God's actions and not his own. Milton argues that God provides Satan with mercy but not accepting his repentance, knowing he would try to rebel against Him again. Thus, God is actually protecting from further and greater punishment.

3. As Satan debates with himself, he begins to change physically. Uriel, who watches him and accounts for his changes, sees Satan transfiguring before his very eyes. Satan reveals his bad nature and his demonic form as he further convinces himself of the false reality he sees himself in. His accusations against God, in addition to his refusal to see his own fault in his fate, reveals and embodies in his physical appearance. 

4. Milton describes Paradise as being  perfect and without flaw. Satan sees and acknowledges the perfect creation God made, and is reminded of where he used to live and what he used to be. The language that Milton uses to describe Paradise is extremely sylvan and filled with natural imagery. In addition to nature, Milton also ascribes Paradise with pagan mythology, perhaps meaning to imply the pagan misapprehension of the cosmos. The following lines exemplify both of these traits:

"The birds their quire apply; airs, vernal airs,
Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune	265
The trembling leaves, while universal Pan,
Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance,
Led on the eternal Spring."

5. These lines refer to the relationship of mankind with God. Milton describes the relationship with God as the creator of man, who is made in his direct likeness. Much like God, man is created perfect and in a good relationship with God. The father-son relationship also implies a degree of trust and obedience. God gives man the freedom to do whatever he wants in the garden, all except eat of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Much like any filial relationship, God allows man the opportunity to either demonstrate love for the Father or disobedience to Him.

6. The freedom that Milton describes in Paradise in almost infinite. God, in his creation of man, allows them to anything that they please in the context of their perfection. Because God knows that He created them to be perfect, they are given total freedom in the garden. The only part of the Garden they are protected from in the Tree of the Knowledge. This is the only way in which man would change his will and turn from God. Therefore, God gives man total freedom in the context of their own perfection, only given more rules when they will to disobey Him.