John Milton wrote ‘Paradise Lost’ to vindicate the ways of God to man.

The correct answer is C. justify.

To vindicate something is to defend it or to prove that it is right. In the case of Paradise Lost, Milton is trying to justify the ways of God to man. He does this by showing how God is just and merciful, even though He allows evil to exist in the world.

Option A, explain, is incorrect because Milton is not simply trying to explain the ways of God. He is trying to justify them.

Option B, support, is incorrect because Milton is not simply trying to support the ways of God. He is trying to justify them.

Option D, criticize, is incorrect because Milton is not trying to criticize the ways of God. He is trying to justify them.