Why does Paradise Lost begin in the middle of the action?

John Milton’s Paradise Lost begins in medias res—a Latin term meaning "into the middle of things"—to adhere to the conventions of the Classical epic, such as those established by Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey.1

By starting the narrative in the aftermath of the war in heaven, with the fallen angels already expelled and suffering in hell, Milton creates immediate dramatic interest. This structure allows him to present the consequences of disobedience first, before later using flashbacks and narrative exposition—such as Raphael’s instruction to Adam and Eve in Book 6—to explain the origins and motivations behind those events.21

This arrangement serves a specific thematic purpose: it positions the narrative close to the temptation of Eve, enabling Milton to highlight how Satan’s own pride and disobedience directly influence his seduction of humanity. By adapting this traditional epic device, Milton effectively frames his "great argument" to justify the ways of God to man.1