Who now triumphs, and in th' excess of joySole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n. So spake th' Apostate Angel, though in pain, [ 125 ]Vaunting aloud, but rackt with deep despare:And him thus answer'd soon his bold Compeer.
It's pretty interesting to read about Satan as a hero, rebeling against (a tyrant) God.
O how unlike the place from whence they fell! [ 75 ]There the companions of his fall, o'rewhelm'dWith Floods and Whirlwinds of tempestuous fire,He soon discerns, and weltring by his sideOne next himself in power, and next in crime,
A description of Hell?
Btw, this line "One next to himself in power, and next in crime" is pretty interesting, because is putting Satan in the same level as God when the Christian tradition describes him as a fallen angel, and in every sense lesser than God.
OF Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast Brought Death into the World, and all our woe, With loss of Eden, till one greater Man Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat, [ 5 ] Sing Heav'nly Muse,
As it was said in the introduction of this course, these first lines identify the subject of the poem but also justify the title chosen by the author. That first disobedience, and the consequences Adam (and the humanity for that matter) must face made an interesting subject, no matter how unorthodox may be compared with other epic poems. There's a promise of struggle and tragedy, even a little bit of hope by the mention of that 'greater man' that eventually will come.