d’Von Archer II

Dr. Elizabeth Cuddy

English 101

December 2, 2019

The word “Paradise”

Paradise originally under the Latin etymon paradisus has a different meaning to everyone

in life. Paradise is the ideal place for everyone, the perfect world or space which makes the word

so dynamic as it has a different meaning for everyone. The word paradise is a noun that has been

seen used as far as biblical times as Adam and Eve were said to have lived in paradise before

they were kicked out of the garden. This has led to the first official definition of Paradise to be in

Theological uses such as “The abode of Adam and Eve before the Fall in the biblical account of

the Creation; the Garden of Eden.” This amongst others have set a foundation as to what other

definitions of what else paradise can mean. Today, Paradise is “A place or region of surpassing

beauty or delight, or of supreme bliss. Now also: a peaceful unspoilt place.” It also has a similar

definition “A state or condition of supreme bliss or happiness; the enjoyment of this”.

I chose the word Paradise because the word has a positive connotation to everyone. I

believe as though everyone should vision their own version of what they think paradise is so they

can work to achieve it. Everyone sees paradise as their own personal idea of a perfect scenario,

which makes Paradise a place everyone wants to be in. Paradise can be a world where violence is

terminated, hate is non-existent, crime is no longer a problem, jails are empty, schools are full.

My own version of paradise is what inspires me to push through whatever it is I’m going
through. I wish to see the world in 30-40 years environmentally better than it is now. Paradise to

me is a world where animals aren’t forced to relocate because they have lost their homes, or a

place where homes and lives are lost to natural disasters that get stronger every year due to the

way we have treated our environment. This is what inspires me to push because I believe that

one day, I can begin the progress to My paradise.

The earliest of references to the word Paradise was often in reference to Heaven. It was also

originally referred to as the Garden of Eden. This is why in religions such as Christianity the

ultimate Paradise is where you can eternally rest after you have died and meet your maker. Thus,

the first uses of the word paradise were theological uses such as “The Lord God planted a

garden, Eastward, in Eden... Of this seate and place of Paradise, all ages haue held dispute” (

Raleigh). This reference is to the garden. Whereas “I haue dremed that the Angels had led one of

yow in to paradys or heuen.”(Caxton). is an older version of the word in reference to Heaven.

Today Paradise has taken on a broader meaning around the world. As more religions are

made and science further develops the original meaning of the word has seen a slight change.

Paradise today can be referred to as A place or region of surpassing beauty or delight, or of

supreme bliss. Now also: a peaceful unspoilt place. Also, figurative. Paradise has been

referenced in numerous songs, books and other pop culture references as something that can be

achieved and something people wish to achieve on earth. In a popular song entitled “Paradise”

by commercially successful band Coldplay, lead singer Chris Martin sings of a girl that has a

rough time right now, however she closes her eyes and dreams of a paradise. In an older song

that has amassed almost 5 million views on YouTube, Chris Cab sings of wanting his paradise
on earth. This goes to show the evolution of the word and how it has shifted from its theological

uses to its use when people want to live in an ideal situation.

The word paradise has slightly altered in meaning over the pass centuries as it has taken

on a less religious more defined definition. However, it still holds generally the same meaning as

it refers to an ideal place unlike no other. Because the word was used in times as far back as the

bible, there is no official time for when it was first used as well no official first user.
 Works Cited

"paradise, n." OED Online. Oxford University Press, December 2019. Web. 4

December 2019.

"paradisus." Wiktionary, The Free Dictionary. 1 Dec 2019, 19:19 UTC. 4 Dec

2019, 05:08 <https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=paradisus&oldid=58092178>.

“Coldplay Net Worth”. “The Richest” December 2019.

https://www.therichest.com/celebnetworth/celeb/musician/coldplay-net-worth/