Paradise Lost Lesson Plan

What is Adam's relationship with the environment and the world of non-human animals supposed to be like?

Based on what God tells Adam, some students may surmise that God wants humankind to use the natural world entirely for their benefit. This would seem to leave little room for the modern ethos of environmentalism, in which humankind is interdependent with and responsible for the natural world. This view may be reinforced by the feelings of separation from animalkind that leads Adam to request a human mate from God.

During their conversation together, both Adam and God agree that it is not a good thing for humans to be alone. What do you think Milton might be trying...