An Essay on Man :: Alexander Pope Religion Essays

An Essay on ManAlexander Popes An Essay on Man is an attempt to vindicate, as Milton had attempted to justify, the ways of God to man. Both attempt to explain God to man, but come up with different conclusions. Milton states that man can overcome Gods stick out finished faith and decency. In contrast, Pope remarks that man moldiness accept what life gives him without trying to change his fate. Milton seeks to justify the ways of God to men (Paradise Lost, 1.26) through example. Paradise Lost foc mappings on the fall of man and the consequences thereof. After the fall of man, Adam and Eve must endure their punishments, and achieve redemption. They can no long-lasting live within the confines of Eden but through faith and conviction they will persevere. God gives Adam and Eve free will and the use of reason. Although they choose poorly and are punished with the pains and sufferings of humanity, God allows Adam and Eve to live though not as they were accustomed to in Paradise. They must live life as we know it with its weaknesses, yearnings, inevitable defeats but with the knowledge that they can overcome To leave this Paradise, but shalt posses / A Paradise within thee, happier faraway (Paradise Lost, 12.586-587).Similar to Milton, Pope tries to vindicate the ways of God to man (An Essay on Man, p. 2264.16), however he derives a different conclusion. Pope believes that In pride, in reasoning pride, our error lies (An Essay on Man, p. 2266.123). He sets out to demonstrate that no matter how imperfect and disturbingly evil the universe may bug out it is nonetheless a work of God and must be accepted Then say not mans imperfect, Heaven in fault / Say rather, mans as perfect as he ought (An Essay on Man, p. 2265.69-70). It seems imperfect to us only because our perceptions are limited by our moral and intellectual capacity. His conclusion is And, ill will of pride, in erring reasons spite, / One truth is clear Whatever is, is RIGHT (An Essay on Man, p. 2270.29 1 - 292) that we must learn to accept our positions in the universe, in which we can, steer happy and virtuous lives.