Illustration to Milton`s Paradise Lost 1808

William Blake created this watercolor illustration to Milton's *Paradise Lost*, wrestling with themes of good and evil, obedience and rebellion, in ways that spoke to his own time. Blake, working in late 18th and early 19th century England, lived in a society grappling with rapid industrialization and social change. The image is rich with cultural references. The figures of Adam and Eve, standing either side of Christ, are caught between divine judgment and the serpentine temptation, rendered here as a multi-headed beast. We see the influence of both religious tradition and classical art. Blake challenges viewers to question authority, both earthly and divine. His work reflects a broader artistic trend that was skeptical of institutions. To understand Blake's work more deeply, one might consult his illuminated books, critical studies of his art, and social histories of the Romantic era. Ultimately, this artwork is a product of its time, shaped by the social and institutional forces that influenced Blake's worldview.