Paradise Lost IX Flashcards
“The Sun was sunk”
“The Sun” is a symbol associated with the monarchy, however it has “sunk”, which highlights the fall of the monarchy during the English civil wars (1642-1651).
“full of anguish driv’n”
Satan
Lucifer was Banished to Hell by God after the rebellion he started in Heaven. He is resentful and deeply pained.
“stealth” “lie hid” “roam’d”
Satan
Semantic field of predatory ambush
Either he is cowardly (reinforced by the repition of “fled”) or sly and cunning (which is commonly associated with the nature of his possessed form: the snake - “wilie Snake”)
Earth is “a Seat worthier of Gods”
Satan
He is jealous of humans. His logic is convoluted - Earth is not superior to Heaven,
Cannot “find place or refuge” on Earth
Satan
He is an outcast, which encourages us to pity him because it implies he is a victim of tyranny
“all good to me becomes Bane”
He is bitter and vengeful
“to mee shall be the glorie sole among”
The spondaic foot and convoluted syntax highlights his selfish pursuit of glory, reinforced by the adjective “sole” - he wants power and fame exclusively for himself
“in one Night freed From servitude inglorious welnigh half”
self-aggrandising spiels are dishonest - only a third of the angels rebelled
“O foul descent!”
symbolises his descent both morally and physically (the Great Chain of Being)
“who aspires must down as low”
Implies he is a tagic hero in an unjust world, but this just drives his vengeful desires even more so - “I reck not” he will direct this resentment towards “this new Favourite of Heav’n, this Man of Clay”
“this new Favourite of Heav’n, this Man of Clay”
Adjective “new” highlights how he used to be God’s favourite, and now he has been replaced, further fueling his bitter jealousy towards mankind. The title “Man of Clay” implies humans are weak and pliable (pawns of God)
“Spite then with spite is best repaid”
Plosive assonance - we can hear the resentment in Satan’s voice, he wants revenge. He aligns his Machiavellian nature with God, implying that He was the initiator of evil
Adam and Eve, first described as the “human pair”
Evokes a sense of harmony and unity - characteristics associated with God (love), not Satan (selfish and self-aggrandising)
“Let us divide our labours”
She thinks rationally and speaks with a commanding presence (the imperative verb), which is unorthodox for a woman
“direct the clasping Ivie where to climb, while I In yonder Spring of Roses intermixt with Myrtle”
“clasping Ivie” is reminsicent of the emblem of the elm and the vine - a symbol of marriage. Roses and myrtle are symbols of passion and marriage. Either Eve is using symbolism to highlight her love for Adam, or using his love for her to manipulate him.
“nothing lovelier can be found in Woman, then to studie houshold good”
Orthodox 17th century views, however a modern reader would view this as misogynistic
“Hopeless to circumvemt us joynd”
Adam understands that they are stronger together
“Safest and seemliest by her husband staies”
refers to himslef with the thirs person use of “husband”, implying it a universal truth that men protect women, orthodox 17th century views
“rais’d unite”
Adam attempts to convince Eve that he is stronger when she is with him, thus they must stay together
Adam spoke “in his care and Matrimonial Love”
Adam’s immense love for Eve is his weakness
“How are we happie, still in fear of harm?”
Eve questions the legitimacy of Eden’s perfection
“what is Faith, Love, Vertue unassaid?”
She speaks in accordance with Milton - they cannot prove their loyalty to go if their faith is not tested. They cannot strengthen their relationship to God without overcoming challenge
“God left free the Will” but
“faire appeering good surpis’d She dictate false, and misinforme the Wil”
Personification of reason and free will - Adam agrees that man was granted free will and reason, however reason can be decieved and lead people to sin.
“Seek not temptation, which to avoid were better, and more likelie if from mee”
He admits that he would rather avoid challenge - cowardice, unorthodox for a man
“thou approve thy constancie, apporove first thy obedience”
He decides obedience is more important than faithfulness. He is frustrated with her for not conforming.
“Go; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more”
Monosyllabic imperative tells her to go. He states that her unhappiness is emotional absence