Introduction
The term “religion” refers to a belief system whereby human beings have a supernatural creature capable of controlling all occurrences and objects in the universe. In most cases, followers of a given faith would have a God or gods that shape their worldviews. Those who adhere to a specific religion would remain devoted and engage in actions that are pleasing to the creator. In the texts, The Duchess of Malfi and Paradise Lost, Book 9, John Webster and John Milon adopt a number of themes to present the intended message. This paper examines the idea of religion in the two works in order to understand how they go beyond the contemporary attributes and understanding of the theme.
The Duchess of Malfi
Religion remains a guiding principle that allows people to behave in a particular manner in the pursuit of their spiritual goals. The common understanding is that those who ascribe to a given faith would be expected to act, behave, and live according to its dictates and dogmas. Using the example of Christians, those who do so increase their chances of becoming part of the promised kingdom (Webster 54). The theme of religion cannot escape attention of any person analyzing or studying this book. However, the author presents additional insights and pursuits that make it possible for the reader to learn more about the society in which the work is set.
At the very beginning of the text, it is evident that the reader would expect a plot whereby the characters take the issue of religion seriously and follow God’s commandments. Unfortunately, the work presents Ferdinand as a sinner since he appears to have emotional feelings towards her sister. This kind of portrayal tries to point out to the challenge of incest and how it results in the spiritual downfall of many people. The Cardinal, a character expected to remain righteous and show other the way, is seen committing a number of sins that make his faith questionable (Leech 9). For example, he is seen protesting the Duchess’ decision to marry for the second time. These individuals appear to be greedy, lustrous, and filled with rage. Ferdinand is also seen presenting unexpected words intended to chastise the Duchess. From these actions, it is agreeable that they still understand that any form of sin or wrongdoing will eventually result in their downfall. Consequently, such responsibilities will make it impossible for them to become part of God’s eternal kingdom.
After going through the text, it is evident that the author portrays the Cardinal as religious and capable of guiding his followers to differentiate sin from holiness. He is observed acknowledging the nature of wrongdoings and the possible dangers associated with them. His narrations are properly crafted and help people learn more about religious. Unfortunately, it is evident that he goes ahead to kill Julia (Webster 58). While at it, the audience is shocked how he describes hell from an informed perspective. These scenes or occurrences try to extend the issue of religion to a new height (Webster 59). Specifically, the author is keen to reveal how being an adherent to a specific faith does not necessarily compel people to act in an acceptable manner.
While most of the characters are aware of the heaven and the challenges associated with hell, they engage in actions beyond religion’s limits. For instance, the work portrays Bosola as someone who understands the unique role of the devil and how he encourages people to sin. Satan guides people to avoid pursuing what is gracious (Webster 59). This approach makes it easier for the reader to learn additional ideas beyond the normal understanding of religion. Specifically, they are introduced to the world of sin, whereby the devil is at war with Christians and other believers. He is also presented as a source of a powerful force that is capable of leading people astray.
With the existing knowledge about religion in the presented society, the text tries to explain how most of the people are not discouraged from engaging in sin. This occurrence is evident even when such individuals still identify as religious (Leech 17). These elements show conclusively that religion, despite being a common theme throughout the work, does not present a strong force for addressing negative engagements or behavior.
The case of the Duchess is another good example of a character whose actions go beyond the contemporary understanding of religion. Lisak identifies her as someone whose engagements and views contradict those of the existing faith (10). For example, she faces death with some sort of arrogance since she is convinced that she will be happy to meet the dead in her afterlife. Throughout her life, she tries to convince others that religion is only a belief system comprised of superstitions and erroneous thoughts. While attempting to escape, the reader observes how she fakes a pilgrimage to achieve her goals (Lisak 14). This kind of practice tries to reveal that the people appear to have additional expectations and ideologies that surpass the basic understanding of religion.
In most of her plans and pursuits, the Duchess is observed to rely on religion as only a means to meet her ends or goals. After reading the book, the reader observes that she even pretends to be religious whenever she intends to avoid trouble. Despite such efforts, the reader is able to realize that she remains dangerous and incapable of following the established religious code. These observations would eventually compel the Cardinal to prevent Antonio and the Duchess from attending one of the ceremonies held in a specific shrine. These happenings also expose the Cardinal’s plan of religion on faith to pursue his own goals (Lisak 12). The reader would acknowledge that religion does not remain a guiding principle for most of the people, even if they are aware of what it demands of them.
The outlined examples and characters show conclusively that the theme of religion is evident throughout this text. However, the author uses it to present a higher form of understanding that exits in the studied community. The reader is able to observe that most of the characters are aware of the true meaning of religion. They appear to understand the outlined practices and how they can rely on them to achieve their spiritual goals (Leech 19). The message is that most of them can acknowledge its effectiveness and capability to guide them to have righteous lives. Unfortunately, the direct opposite appears to happen in the book.
The characters are aware of the dangers of engaging in sin and how the malpractices could lock them out of God’s kingdom. Nonetheless, they continue to engage in sin while relying on religion as a pretext to pursue and eventually realize their goals. The conscientious reader would also acknowledge that most of these individuals find it extremely hard the temptations to commit religious offenses (Male 21). Others rely on their foundational understand to punish others for failing to support their courses or goals in life. Consequently, the author presents this theme in such a way that it portrays a higher form of understanding or experience for most of the characters.
The common understanding among many people is that religion is a form of worship or faith that allows people to find solace. At the same time, such believers would receive guidelines for focusing on actions that would take them closer to their spiritual goals. In this text, the characters do not rely on religious messages to find any form of comfort in their lives (Selzer 74). However, those in power rely on it as a tool to control authority and pursue their personal aims. The author uses the theme to present bigger issues whereby the religious leaders appear wicked and willing to use power to hide most of their terrible sins.
Paradise Lost, Book 9
In Paradise Lost, Book 9, John Milton begins by introducing Satan as a character who did not feature in the earlier works. Satan appears to have degenerated in such a way that he is able to collaborate and engage human beings. He argues that the chances of making Earth more preferable and beautiful are high. The reason he offers is that God created it after the Heavens (Urban 92). For the same reason, Satan appears to be convinced that he is going to remain happier since Heaven was unable to provide such an experience. This introductory part helps the reader appreciate the overall theme of religion in the text and how the work goes beyond its contemporary meaning.
The essence of religion is to guide and educate people on how to behave while pursuing their spiritual goals. Those who do so will find peace, healing, redemption and eventually become part of God’s kingdom. However, Milton’s Book 9 introduces the theme of religion in an attempt to help people understand the importance of obeying God. Adam appears to learn from Raphael that Satan disobeyed God while in Heaven (Reisner 17). He then chose to come to Earth where he plans to challenge and misguide human beings. The reader is able to observe that any form of disobedience can result in different outcomes. For instance, the portrayal of Satan reveals that those who fail to follow God’s words will become sinful and eventually suffer the consequences of degradation.
On the other hand, believers who focus on the lives of Adam and Eve, as described in the text, will have higher chances of receiving redemption. After Satan leads them astray, the two deiced to repent because they understand that the decision would result in forgiveness. The emerging message is that sinners can achieve salvation when they acknowledge their past mistakes and follow God’s commandments (Quint 43). The evident message is that Milton manages to present additional insights that are beyond the foundation of religion. He engages people to relate positive with others and avoid sin by all means. Those who fall can consider the importance of retracing their steps and asking for God’s forgiveness.
While relying on the theme of religion, the author of this text manages to present the universe as a hierarchy comprised of three parts. These include the Heaven, Earth, and Hell. This form of arrangement represents a unique form of social hierarchy whereby Christ is the one who remains close to God. He is followed by cherubs and archangels, who form an important element of this arrangement. Those who want to remain part of God’s plan need to focus on and obey such a hierarchy (Quint 49). Satan’s dethronement and current status portrayed in the book could be studied as a form of rebellion. Such a malpractice could make it easier for human beings to fall out of God’s favor.
Adam’s decision to eat the forbidden fruit becomes a form of disobedience. Consequently, he finds himself moved lower in the outlined hierarchy. The same case is evident after Eve chooses to listen to Satan, who is at the bottom of the organizational framework. These acts of disobedience encourage people to consider the best actions that might not corrupt this hierarchy emanating from God. However, those who repent and ask for forgiveness eventually find these hierarchical positions restored (Pruitt 87). Through the lens of religion, it is evident that Milton has managed to present an additional message that helps the reader acquire new ideas. The information can make it easier for people to re-pattern their philosophies of life. Those who do so would also learn how to relate with others while preparing for God’s eternal kingdom.
The work goes further to expand the notion of religion in such a way that it encourages more people to embrace Christianity. In the text, the reader realizes that most of the stories appear to revolve around the scenes and events outlined in the Bible. Non-Christians or adherents of other faiths would, therefore, be unable to receive additional insights regarding the theme of religion (Leonard 31). This happens to be the case since the focus is on the actions of Adam and Eve and how they relate to God and Satan. The emerging insights become powerful lessons for understanding the origin of sin and how Christian believers could overcome it.
Using the same approach, the reader’s point of view appears to expand beyond the contemporary meaning of religion. Specifically, the author learns that Adam’s sin was an unavoidable experience due to the powers of Satan. His outcome meant that the devil could guide or lie to people to engage in actions that did not please God (Leonard 28). This form of outcome appears to expand the overall meaning of religion. Believers would be aware of the potential source of sin and the actions that they can undertake to avoid it. Those who suffer the consequences of sin can go further to consider the best approaches to ask for forgiveness and act in accordance with God’s calling. Those who fail to do so will have increased chances of facing the wrath on Judgment Day.
Additionally, the idea of religion appears to receive an additional meaning from this book by Milton. For instance, the sinning of Adam and Eve would initially appear as a catastrophe. For the religious, such an occurrence would mean that the destinies of the two characters would be already determined. Those who follow religious teachings would be keen to avoid actions that could seal their fate as it happens with these two. However, a higher form of understanding emerges whereby God capitalizes on their sin to show His powers in providing atonement and mercy (Quint 43). The reader is also guided to understand that God is always ready to show mercy and guide His followers to salvation. People need to understand that they can still uplift themselves even after finding themselves in sin. Such a fortune can make it easier for them to overcome the challenges existing in the universe and eventually achieve their spiritual aims.
From this analysis, it is agreeable that the author of the text has offered numerous discussions and scenes to expand human knowledge and view of religion. Those who read the book carefully would realize that the world has a unique structure that allows people to find their own positions (Leonard 31). This approach resonates with the ideas of avoiding sin and asking for forgiveness whenever necessary. The emerging insights, therefore, become powerful guidelines for helping people to lead righteous lives.
Christian believers studying this text would also acknowledge that there is more to life than just being religious. For instance, those who follow the presented ideas will be in a position to develop additional values in accordance with their goals in life. For instance, some might embrace the meaning of authority and rely on it if they are to succeed in life. Those pursuing their career goals would appreciate the true meaning of hierarchy and seek guidance whenever necessary (Leonard 35). The possibility of asking for forgiveness could be replicated in an individual’s life to promote harmony while preventing disagreements.
Based on such attributes, more people can find meaning in their lives and design their future goals. They will capitalize on the notions of religion to become more involved and ready to forgive others. More people will aware of their spiritual aims and rely on them to foster better understanding and commitments in their respective communities. Consequently, it would be acceptable that Milton’s text is a powerful piece of writing that presents practical lessons to the reader (Linn 39). The individual also realizing that numerous ideas exist that could be analyzed through the lens of religion. Those who consider them would maximize their chances of leading high-quality and peaceful lives.
Conclusion
Religion describes a unique form of worship associated with a group of people. In most cases, followers of a specific faith would have a superhuman creature capable of controlling all aspects of life. In the selected two works, the authors have relied on the theme of religion to present additional insights that expand on it. In the first one, the author reveals that people can at times, rely o their belief systems as a pretext for doing harm to others or engaging in detestable actions. In the second one, the author expands the meaning of religion to describe how people could pursue authority, respect, and repentance in their lives if they were to join God’s eternal kingdom.
Works Cited
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