Summary

For day two of "Paradise Lost", we discussed the numerous epic conventions that Milton has used thus far. These conventions included similes, the underworld/hell, speeches, magic, grand scale, epithets, repetition, and monsters and obstacles. While observing all of these types of epic conventions, we realized that many were linked primarily to Satan, especially the similes and magic examples. We learned that Satan was the link in magic examples because during the 1600's people were shunned if they practiced witchcraft or magic. Satan is the practitioner of magic within "Paradise Lost". An example of Satan practicing magic can be found in Book 9, on page 196, where he arrives in Eden within a mist, and then enters into and possesses the serpent.

We also discussed Milton’s use of similes in comparison to earlier texts from class. Although Milton used similes like Homer and Dante, he differed by using classical and Biblical events and persons. This usage of “greater” similes displays how Milton believed that in his Christian world, everything was either far better or worse than anything described in the Greek world. An example of this would be from Book 1, at the bottom of page 11, where Milton is comparing the devils to leaves on brooks in Italy, as well as to scattered hedge in the Red Sea with crashing waves from the Exodus. The last idea we discussed in regards to similes was how no similes were observed throughout Book 3, where God and Jesus Christ are speaking to one another. We learned that similes are usually added by the narrator to clarify an idea for the reader, and since one cannot really successfully compare God to anything, similes were not used.

Word Count - 283

Passages

Page 47 – Lines 756-761

Likest to thee in shape and countnance bright (Then shining Heav’nly fair) a goddess armed Out of thy head I sprung! Amazement seized All th’ host of Heav’n. Back they recoiled afraid At first and called me “Sin” and for a sign Portentous held me.

Sin is born of Satan’s forehead, which parallels the birth of Athena from Zeus’ head. It only makes sense that Athena is the goddess of wisdom since she is born from the head of the leader of the Greek gods. Similarly, Sin is birthed from Satan’s head, which his thoughts would have been pure evil.

Page 62 – Lines 236 – 241

Behold Me then, Me for him, life for life I offer. On Me let thine anger fall. Account Me Man. I for his sake will leave Thy bosom and this glory next to Thee Freely put off and for him lastly die Well pleased.

In this passage, Jesus, the son of God, shows extreme heroism. After mankind has sinned, God states that some great sacrifice of someone worthy would have to be made to pay back man’s debt to God. Jesus then offers his own life, and the opportunity to become a mortal so that He could die for mankind’s livelihood.

Page 11 – Lines 300 – 305

Of that inflamed sea he stood and called His legions, angel forms who lay entranced Thick as autumnal leaves that strew the brooks In Vallombrosa where th’ Etrurian shades High overarched embow’r, or scattered sedge Afloat when with fierce winds Orion armed Hath vexed the Red Sea coast

In this passage, Milton uses similes similar to those of Homer and Dante by which they both deal with nature. As in the summary of the class, the devils are compared to autumnal leaves and scattered sedge afloat on the Red Sea. This description displays the unfathomable amount of devils that were present in the story.

Terms

Nubia- afterlife/underworld (in Greek culture)