However, Milton's theme in 'Paradise Lost' transcends the limits of a particular race or nationality. Its theme is universal; "the fall of man". It is an epic of the whole human species, related to its evolution. Milton's presents the theme at the very beginning.
"Of Mans First Disobedience, and the Fruit.
of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal taste.
Brought Death into the world, all our woe.
With loss of Eden, till one greater man.".
The subject thus is the transgression committed by Adam and Eve in eating the fruit of the "forbidden tree" and their subsequent expulsion from Paradise. In this respect Coleridge asserts:.
"We dwell on the excellence of Paradise lost in as much as it .
Represents the origin of evil, and the combat of evil and good; .
it contains matters of deep interest to all mankind, as forming .
the basis of all religion, and the true occasion of all philosophy what so ever.".
In short, Milton's theme is religious and scriptural, while his form is classical thus transforming the classical epic into a theological one.
Like all great epics, Milton also begins his epic with an "invocation" to the Muse. But there is one thing different from the great Homer and Virgil; Milton's Muse is not an ordinary god or goddess as we find in one epic poem. His is a heavenly Muse (Urania) and then the holy spirit of God, whom he invokes to help him to fulfill his sacred ambition in attempting things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. In fact, Milton's Muse is not one of the nine Muses of Greek Mythology, which dwells on Mount Olympus. It is in fact the Muse of religious poetry who inspired the poets and prophets of Israel as well as Christian leaning and poetry.
Another significant element of epic is its "Action", which should be "one", "entire" and above all "great". As far 'Paradise Lost' is concerned it action has a unity of texture.