Q and A Paradise Lost by John Milton

      John Milton

“They also serve who only stand and wait.”

                                              John Milton

         

         Quiz#1

Milton Life and works

1. Milton is one of the greatest poets of the English language, best-known for his epic poem Paradise Lost (1667).                                                                        T  F

2. Powerful, rhetoric prose and the eloquence of Milton’s poetry had an immense influence especially on the 18th-century verse.                                                 T  F

3. John Milton was born in Manchester.                                                                T  F

4. His mother, Sarah Jeffrey, a very religious person, was the daughter of a merchant sailor.                                                                                                                  T  F

5. Milton's father, named John, too, had risen to prosperity as a solicitor or law writer - he also composed madrigals and psalm settings.                                  T  F

6. Milton family was wealthy enough to afford a second house in the country.    T  F

7. Milton's first teacher was his uncle.                                                                   T  F 

8. Milton took part in small domestic consorts, he played often a small organ and he had "delicate, tunable voice".                                                                             T  F

9. At the age of twelve Milton was admitted to St Paul's School near his home.  T  F

10. Five years later Milton entered Christ's College, Oxford.                                  T  F

11. Milton did not adjust to domestic life.                                                                T  F

12. Milton was called, half in scorn, "The Lady of Christ's", and after starting a fist fight with his tutor, he was expelled for a term from the university.                           T  F 

13. On leaving Cambridge Milton had given up his original plan to become a priest.  T  F

14. After quitting the university Milton adopted no profession but spent six years at leisure in his father's home.                                                                               T  F

15. During that time Milton wrote L'ALLEGRO, IL PENSEROSO (1632), COMUS (1634), and LYCIDAS (1637).                                                                         T  F

16. LYCIDAS was about the meaning of death, which was composed after the death of Milton’s friend Edward King.                                                                     T  F                                  

17.  Milton’s first published poem was the sonnet 'An Epitaph on the Admirable Dramatic Poet, W.B. Yeats '.                                                                          T  F

18.  'An Epitaph on the Admirable Dramatic Poet, W. Shakespeare' was printed anonymously in the Second Folio of Shakespeare's works (1633).               T  F

19. Milton traveled to France and Italy in the late1640s, meeting in Paris the jurist and theologian.                                                                                               T  F

20. Milton met Hugo Grotius and the astronomer Galileo Galilei in Florence.  T  F     

21-There are references to Galileo's telescope in__________.

22. Milton returned to London in _________ from France and Italy, and set up a school with his nephews and a few others as pupils.

23. Milton published a series of ______against episcopacy (1642), on divorce (1643), in defense of the liberty of the press (1644), and in support of the regicides (1649).

24. In ------- Milton became blind, but blindness helped him to stimulate his verbal richness.

25. After the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, Milton was _____as a noted defender of the Commonwealth.

26.The manuscript of Paradise Lost Milton sold for ____ to Samuel Simmons, and was promised another £5 if the first edition of 1,300 copies sold out. This was done in 18 months.

27. Milton was married ______times.

28. Milton’s first marriage started unhappily; this experience prompted the poet to write his famous essays on_______.

29.Milton had married in 1642 with______, who was seventeen at that time.

30._________grew soon bored with her busy husband went back home where she stayed for three years.

31.Milton’s first child, Anne, was born in______.

32.Mary died in 1652 and four years later Milton married__________.

33.Katherine Woodcock died in________.

34.Milton devoted the sonnet 'To His Late Wife' for ___________memory.

35.In the 1660s Milton moved with his third wife, ________, again a much younger woman, to what is now Bunhill Row.

36.The marriage between Milton and Elizabeth Minshull was_______,  in spite of the great difference of their ages.

1. Happy
2. Sad
3. Cheerful
4. Dreadful

37. Milton _____his late poems to his daughter, nephews, friends, disciples, and paid amanuenses .

a. Dedicated

b. Devoted

c. Dictated

d. Gave

38.Some of Milton’s religious beliefs were very_________, and came in conflict with the official Puritan stand.

a. Conventional

b. Traditional

c. Unconventional

d. Untraditional

39. Milton died on November 8,_______.

a.1674

b.1675

c.1676

d.1677

40. It has been claimed that Milton's grave was ______when the church was undergoing repairs.

a. Renovated

            b. Shifted

            c. Desecrated

            d. Cemented

41. All the teeth and "a large quantity of the hair" were taken as souvenirs by grave_____.

a. Visitors

b. Repairers

c. Worshippers

d. Robbers

42. Milton's achievement in the field of poetry was recognized after the appearance of________.

a. Paradise Regained

b. Paradise Lost

c. Comus

d. Lycidas

43. Before ________ Milton himself had showed some doubt of the worth of his work.

a. Paradise Regained

b. Paradise Lost

c. Comus

d. Lycidas

44. The theme of Fall and expulsion from Eden had been in Milton's mind from the______.

          a.1620s

          b.1630s

          c. 1640s

          d. 1650s

45. Milton’s ambition was to compose an epic poem to rival the ancient poets, such as Homer and______.

a. Sophocles

b. Virgil

c. Aristotle

d. Plato

46. Originally Paradise Lost was issued in ____books in 1667, and in 12 books in the second edition of 1674.

a. 8

b. 9

c. 10

d. 11

47. Milton, who wanted to be a great poet, had also coped with the towering figure of________, who had died in 1616.

a. Marlow

b. Spenser

c. Chaucer

d. Shakespeare

48. When Shakespeare died Milton was only _____at that time.

a. Seven

b. Nine

c. Ten

d. Eleven

49. ______ is not easy to read with its odd syntax, difficult vocabulary, and complex, but noble style.

a. Paradise Regained

b. Paradise Lost

c. Comus

d. Lycidas

50. The poem tells a biblical story of Adam and Eve, with God, and Lucifer (Satan), who is thrown out of Heaven to corrupt________.

a. Animals

b. Birds

c. Angels

d. Humankind

51.________, the most beautiful of the angels, is at his most impressive in Paradise Lost.

a. Satan

b. Beelzebub

c. Gabriel

d. Michael

52. Satan’s character bears similarities with _______hero-villains Iago and Macbeth.

a. Marlow’s

d. Shakespeare's

c. G.B. Shaw’s

d. Chekhov’s

53. In The Marriage of Heaven and Hell ________stated that Milton is "a true Poet and of the Devil's party without knowing it .

a. Wordsworth

b. Coleridge

c. Blake

d. Shelly

________________________________________________________________________

                                                           

                                                                   Quiz#2

1. Milton's "unholy trinity" of characters includes:

A-Error, Temptation, and Satan

B-Sin, Death and Temptation

C-Sin, Temptation, and Satan

D-Satan, Sin, and Death

2. "Paradise Lost" is considered a(n):

A-First Person Narrative

B-Short Story

C-Epic Poem

D-Novel

3. Satan's name before he fell from heaven was:

A-Beezlebub

B-Michael

C-Lucifer

D-Belial

4. The battle between God's army and Satan's rebels in heaven lasted:

A-One day

B-Three days

C-Seven days

D-One hour

5. In the phrase, "thy seed shall bruise our foe," the "seed" refers to:

A-The Tree of Knowledge

B-Adam

C-Cane and Abel

D-Jesus Christ

6. In the phrase, "thy seed shall bruise our foe," "thy" refers to:

A-Sin

B-Eden

C-Satan

D-Eve

7. The two archangels who serve as generals in God's army are:

A-Michael and Gabriel

B-Michael and Raphael

C-Raphael and Gabriel

B-Michael and Lucifer

8. For inspiration in writing the poem, Milton says he depends on:

A-The Son

B-Wine

C-The Holy Spirit

D-His favorite pen

9. Earth is described as being connected to heaven by a:

A-"stepping stones of clouds"

B-Golden rope

C-Golden chain

D-Ladder

10. Sin was born out of Satan's:

A-Head

B-Lust

C-Anger

D-Rib

11. Eve before the Fall might best be described as:

A-a feminist

B-uncomfortable with Adam

C-detailed oriented

D-a docile, vain creature

12. Throughout the poem, Satan transforms himself into many creatures. Which creature does Satan not turn into?

A-a mouse

B-a cherub

C-a toad

D-a serpent

13. Who might be considered the friendliest and most sociable of all God's angels?

A-Adam

B-Michael

C-Raphael

D-Lucifer

14. Everyday before the Fall Adam and Eve went out to work. What did their work consist of?

A-Hunting and gathering food

B-Tending to the Garden of Eden

C-Building shelter to live in

D-Naming all God's creatures and plants

15. The reason for Satan's fall might best be described as:

A-incest

B-lust

C-greed

D-pride

16. The reason for Eve's fall might best be described as:

A-vanity

B-lust

C-greed

D-pride

17. On the second day of battle in heaven, what does Satan use that surprises God's forces?

A-Catapults

B-ArtilleryC-Illusions

D-The Holy Sepulchre

18. Adam, Satan, and Eve herself are all dazzled by Eve's:

A-Wit

B-Beauty

C-Intelligence

D-Hard work and spirituality

19. The main reason for Adam's fall might best be described as:

A-lust

B-love for Eve

C-pride

D-money

20. When God sees that Adam and Eve have disobeyed him, who does he send to "judge" them and the snake?

A-The Son

B-The Holy Ghost

C-Michael

D-Raphael

21. Inspired by Satan's victory over man, Sin and Death construct:

A-a funnel from Eden to the gates of hell

B-a bridge from hell to heaven

C-a temple to welcome Satan back

D-a bridge from hell to earth

22. After they have both eaten from the Tree of Knowledge, the first thing Adam and Eve do is:

A-Blame each other for their Fall

B-Ask forgiveness from God

C-Put some clothes on

D-Satisfy their sexual desire for each other

23. The Archangel Michael might best be described as:

A-Jealous and envious

B-Bombastic

C-Firm and militant

D-Kind and caring

24. When Michael tells Adam what will become of mankind after the Fall, he is actually narrating stories taken directly from:

A-The Koran

B-The New Testament

C-Homer's epic poems

D-The Hebrew Bible

25. What are the best words to describe the Garden of Eden, the weather, and nature in general, before the Fall of Adam and Eve?

A-Ordered and rational

B-Chaotic

C-Wild and unmanageable

D-Comfortable

                                                              

                                                                  

                                                                          Quiz#3

1:  What purpose does Milton state for Paradise Lost?

a. To show how God defeated the rebellious angels

b. To justify the ways of God to men

c. To prove the superiority of Protestantism over Catholicism

d. To show how Adam and Eve made their way out of Eden

2:  Who are Satan's daughter and son?

a. Chaos and Night

b. Adam and Eve

c. Sin and Death

d. Beezlebub and Belial

3:  From which tree are Adam and Eve prohibited from eating?

a. Tree of Life Everlasting

b. Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

c. Tree of Insight

d. Tree of Evil Borne by Satan

4:  After both Adam and Eve have eaten the fruit, what is the first thing they do?

a. Put on clothes

b. Worship the tree

c. Have sex

d. Cower under the wrath

5:  Besides death, what punishment do women receive because of the fall?

a. To be subservient to men

b. Never to be ordained as ministers

c. To bear the pain of childbirth

d. To endure the stress of multiple priorities

6:  Eve is most surprised by the serpent's ability to

a. glide effortlessly over the tree's branches

b. select the ripest fruit

c. talk

d. stay perfectly still

7:  Michael shows Adam a vision of biblical history from the time of Adam through the birth of

a. Raphael

b. the rebellious angels

c. the second man

d. Jesus

8:  Classically, Urania is the muse of

a. astronomy

b. music

c. gardening

d. idyllic poetry

9:  Milton describes a universe with Heaven in what position and with what primary quality?

a. Middle; purity

b. Top; light

c. Bottom; forgiveness

d. Top; profound wisdom

10:  Who said the following: "The mind is its own place, and in itself / Can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n."

a. God

b. Milton, as the Narrator

c. Satan

d. Eve

11:  Who said the following: ". . . be lowly wise: / Think only what concerns thee and thy being."

a. Sin

b.Adam

c. Raphael

d. Abdiel

12:  Who said the following: "Earth felt the wound, and nature from her seat, / Sighing through all her works gave signs of woe, / That all was lost."

a. Gabriel

b. The Narrator

c. The Son

d. Mulciber

                        

                                                                        Quiz#4

1. Who composed Paradise Lost?

William Shakespeare

John Milton

T.S. Eliot

Homer

2. When was the first edition published?

1666

1667

1668

1669

3. The epic is about the Christian story of:

Rise of Man

Fall of Man

Destruction of Man

Construction of Man

4. Who is the main protagonist of Paradise Lost?

God

Satan

Adam

Eve

5. In how many books is Paradise Lost divided?

Twelve

Ten

Two

Eleven

6. Which is the longest book?

Book IX

Book I

Book X

Book II

7. In Books I-II, the rebels of Satan build the Pandemonium. What is it?

The capital of Earth

The capital of Hell

The capital of Heaven

The capital of Sky

8. The fruit of which tree were Adam and Eve forbidden to eat?

Tree of Knowledge

9. Which is the shortest book?

Book VII

Book VI

Book V

BookIV

10. Who was sent to Earth to warn Man of the dangers he was facing?

Raphael

Michael

Abdiel

Uriel

11. Satan took the form of a __________, when trying to convince Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.

Serpent

Lamb

Wolf

Hyena

12. Who was the first to eat the forbidden fruit?

Adam

Eve

Satan

Michael

13. Which of the following is not a character in Paradise Lost?

God

Prophet Muhammad

Adam

Satan

14. The first edition of Paradise Lost was written in X Books.

True

False

15. What is the name of the sequel to Paradise Lost?

Paradise Destroyed

Paradise Sustained

Paradise Again

Paradise Regained

                                                                          Quiz#5

1. Which angel does Satan trick by disguising himself as a cherub?

(A) Michael

(B) Uriel

(C) Raphael

(D) Abdiel

2. Which of the following forms does Satan not take?

(A) Angel

(B) Toad

(C) Cormorant

(D) He takes all of these forms

3. In what book does the fall take place?

(A) Book VIII

(B) Book X

(C) Book IX

(D) Book VII

4. In which book of the Bible does the story of Adam and Eve occur?

(A) Leviticus

(B) Exodus

(C) Genesis

(D) Deuteronomy

5. Which devil advocates a renewal of all-out war against God?

(A) Belial

(B) Moloch

(C) Mammon

(D) Beelzebub

6. What is Milton’s stated purpose in Paradise Lost?

(A) To assert his superiority to other poets

(B) To argue against the doctrine of predestination

(C) To justify the ways of God to men

(D) To make his story hard to understand

7. Which of the following is not a character in Paradise Lost?

(A) Night

(B) Agony

(C) Discord

(D) Death

8. Which angel wields a large sword in the battle and wounds Satan?

(A) Michael

(B) Abdiel

(C) Uriel

(D) Satan is not injured

9. When Satan leaps over the fence into Paradise, what does Milton liken him to?

(A) A snake slithering up a tree

(B) A germ infecting a body

(C) A wolf leaping into a sheep’s pen

(D) A fish leaping out of water

10. Which angel tells Adam about the future in Books XI and XII?

(A) Raphael

(B) Uriel

(C) Michael

(D) None of the above

11. Which of the following is not found in Hell?

(A) Gems

(B) Gold

(C) Oil

(D) Minerals

12. Which statement about the Earth is asserted as true in Paradise Lost?

(A) It was created before God the Son

(B) Earth hangs from Heaven by a chain

(C) The Earth is a lotus flower

(D) The Earth revolves around the sun

13. Which devil is the main architect of Pandemonium?

(A) Mulciber

(B) Mammon

(C) Moloch

(D) Belial

14. How many times does Milton invoke a muse?

(A) One

(B) Two

(C) Three

(D) Four

15. Who leads Adam and Eve out of Paradise?

(A) God

(B) The Son

(C) Michael

(D) Raphael

16. Which of the following poets does Milton emulate?

(A) Virgil

(B) Homer

(C) Both Virgil and Homer

(D) Neither Virgil or Homer

17. What is the stated subject of Paradise Lost?

(A) The fight between good and evil

(B) Heaven’s battle and Satan’s tragic fall

(C) The creation of the universe

(D) Adam and Eve’s disobedience

18. Which devil is Satan’s second-in-command?

(A) Mammon

(B) Sin

(C) Moloch

(D) Beezelbub

19. Who discusses cosmology and the battle of Heaven with Adam?

(A) God

(B) Eve

(C) Raphael

(D) Michael

20. Which scene happens first chronologically?

(A) Satan and the devils rise up from the lake in Hell

(B) The Son is chosen as God’s second-in-command

(C) God and the Son create the universe

(D) The angels battle in Heaven

21. Which of the angels is considered a hero for arguing against Satan?

(A) Abdiel

(B) Uriel

(C) Michael

(D) Raphael

22. In an attempt to defeat God and his angels, what do the rebel angels make?

(A) A fortress

(B) A catapult

(C) A large sword

(D) A cannon

23. According to Paradise Lost, which of the following does God not create?

(A) The Son

(B) Adam and Eve

(C) Computers

(D) He creates everything

24. Who does Milton name as his heavenly muse?

(A) Titania

(B) Urania

(C) Virgil

(D) Michael

25. What does Eve do when she first becomes conscious?

(A) Go in search of her mate

(B) Talk to the animals

(C) Look at her reflection in a stream

(D) Eat of the Tree of Knowledge

Quiz#6

Paradise Lost

 

Describe the following:                    

1.      The Father 

 

2.      The Son 

 

3.      The Holy Ghost 

 

4.      Abdiel 

 

 

5.      Gabriel 

 

 

6.      Ithuriel

 

 

7.      Michael 

 

 

8.      Raphael 

 

9.      Urania

 

10.  Uriel

 

11.  Uzziel

 

12.  Zephon 

 

13.  Zophiel

 

 

 

14.           THE FALLEN ANGELS 

___________________________________________________

 

15.  Adonis (or Thammuz) 

 

16.  Adramelec

 

17.  Ariel

 

18.  Arioc

 

19.  Ashtaroth

 

20.  Asmadai

 

21.  Astoreth 

 

22.  Azazel

 

23.  Baalim

 

24.  Beelzebub 

 

25.  Belial

 

 

26.  Chemos

 

27.  Dagon

 

28.  Lucifer 

 

29.  Mammon

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

30.  Moloch

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

31.  Mulciber

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

32.  Nisroch

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

33.  Ramiel

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

 

34.  Rimmon

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

35.  Satan

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

36.                                                                                                            PERSONIFICATIONS

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

37.  Sin

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

38.  Death

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

39.  Chaos

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

40.  THE HUMAN RACE 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

41.  Adam

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

42.  Eve

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

43.  MICHAEL'S PROPHECIES 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

44.  Cain

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

45.  Abel

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

46.  Enoch

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

47.  Noah

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

48.  Nimrod 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

49.  Abraham

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

50.  Isaac

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

51.  Jacob or Israel

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

52.  Joseph

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

53.  Pharoah 

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

54.  Moses

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

55.  Aaron

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

56.  Joshua

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

57.  David

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

58.  Solomon 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

59.  Jesus

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

                                                                   Quiz#1

                                                             Answer Key

1- True

2- True

3- False

4-True

5- False

6- True

7- False

8- True

9- True

10- False

11- False

12- True

13- True

14- True

15- True

16- True

17- False

18- False

19- False

20- True

21- Paradise Lost

22-1639

23- Pamphlets

24-1651

25- Arrested

26-£5

27- Three

28- Divorce

29- Mary Powell

30- Mary Powell

31-1646

32- Katherine Woodcock

33-1658

34- Katherine Woodcock’s

35- Elizabeth Minshull

36- Happy

37- c. Dictated

38- c. Unconventional

39- a.1674

40- c. Desecrated

41- d. Robbers

42- b. Paradise Lost

43- b. Paradise Lost

44- c. 1640s

45- b. Virgil

46- c. 10

47- d. Shakespeare

48- a. Seven

49- b. Paradise Lost

50- d. Humankind

51- a. Satan

52- d. Shakespeare's

53-c. Blake

                                                                  Answer Key

                                                                     Quiz# 2

1-

2- C-Epic Poem

3- C-Lucifer

4- B-Three days

5- D-Jesus Christ

6- D-Eve

7- A-Michael and Gabriel

8- C-The Holy Spirit

9- C-Golden chain

10- A-Head

11- D-a docile, vain creature

12- A-a mouse

13- C-Raphael

14- B-Tending to the Garden of Eden

15- D-pride

16- A-vanity

17- B-Artillery

18- B-Beauty

19- B-love for Eve

20- A-The Son

21- D-a bridge from hell to earth

22- D-Satisfy their sexual desire for each other

23- C-Firm and militant

24- D-The Hebrew Bible

25- A-Ordered and rational

                                                                Answer Key

                                                                    Quiz#3

1- b. To justify the ways of God to men

2- c. Sin and Death

3- b. Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

4- c. Have sex

5- c. To bear the pain of childbirth

6- c. talk

7- d. Jesus

8- a. astronomy

9- b. Top; light

10- c. Satan

11- c. Raphael

12- b. The Narrator

                                                             Answer Key

                                                                Quiz# 4

1- John Milton

2-1667

3- Rise of Man

4- Satan

5- Twelve

6- Book IX

7- The capital of Hell

8- Tree of Knowledge

9- Book VII

10- Raphael

11- Serpent

12- Eve

13- Prophet Muhammad

14- True

15- Paradise Regained

                                                             Answer Key

                                                                Quiz#5

1-(B) Uriel

2-

3-(C) Book IX

4-(C) Genesis

5-

6-(C) To justify the ways of God to men

7-(B) Agony

8-

9-(C) A wolf leaping into a sheep’s pen

10-(C) Michael

11-(C) Oil

12-(B) Earth hangs from Heaven by a chain

13-(A) Mulciber

14-(C) Three

15-(C) Michael

16-(C) Both Virgil and Homer

17-(D) Adam and Eve’s disobedience

18-(D) Beezelbub

19-(C) Raphael

20-(B) The Son is chosen as God’s second-in-command

21-(A) Abdiel

22-(D) A cannon

23-(D) He creates everything

24-(B) Urania

25-(C) Look at her reflection in a stream

                                                         Quiz#6

                                      Answer Key

 

THE HOLY TRINITY 

In Christian theology, the three persons that form one God.

The Father 

The Almighty, all-knowing, all-powerful. His perfection makes it impossible for Milton’s audience to identify with him—an unchangeable character with no inner conflict. His main function in the poem is to explain free will, justice, and the consequences of disobedience. [Books III and X]

The Son 

Also called Messiah, the future incarnation of Jesus Christ, whom the Father ordains king of the angels and his equal in power. He defeats Lucifer's rebellion [vi.824], and is sent by his Father to carry out the miracle of Creation [Book VII]. He volunteers to become human and suffer martyrdom for man's sin [iii.227]; acts as judge over Adam and Eve, mercifully postponing their punishment of death [x.103]; and intercedes with his Father for their redemption [xi.22].

The Holy Ghost 

A mystical aspect of God in Christianity, not directly addressed as such in the poem, but most closely represented as Milton's muse, Urania.

THE FAITHFUL ANGELS 

The spirits who serve God in Heaven. Archangels are the highest ranking angels. Others include Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Virtues, Powers, and Pricipalities, though Milton never clearly defines these. They are pictured, with some ambiguity, as winged spirits who can change shape at will, yet they can be physically wounded in battle and can sup with humans. They battle the rebel angels in God's behalf, and later act as man's protectors.

Abdiel 

The only angel in Satan's crew who finds himself unwilling to

 

Gabriel 

Second in rank to Michael. He is charged to guard the Garden of Eden in the days before the fall. When Satan first discovers the Garden, Gabriel captures and expels him. [Book IV, lines 781-1015]

Ithuriel 

One of the two angels sent by Gabriel to find Satan in the Garden of Eden. They find him whispering to the sleeping Eve. Ithuriel taps Satan's shoulder with his spear. [Book IV, lines 786-874]

Michael 

Highest ranking of God's army of angels. He wounds Satan in the battle in Heaven [vi.245]. Later, by God's decree, he expels Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, after showing Adam visions of the future consequences of his sin [Books XI and XII].

Raphael 

The angel God sends to warn Adam and Eve about Satan. He is the poem's narrator of the account of Satan's rebellion in Heaven and the creation of the world, as told to the human couple. He is "sociably mild" in contrast to the stern, military angels. [Books V thru VIII]

Urania 

Milton's Christian muse, the angel-like female spirit who Milton invokes in the beginnings of Books I, III, VII, and IX, to inspire him in writing the poem. In the poem's opening lines she seems to be identified with the Holy Spirit of the Trinity [i.1-26]. Milton borrowed her from Greek mythology, where she is the muse of astronomy and astrology.

Uriel 

The guardian stationed on the sun. When Satan disguises himself as a young cherub, Uriel is fooled into directing him to where Adam lives. [Book II, lines 613-742]

Uzziel 

A guard in Eden, next in rank to Gabriel [iv.782].

Zephon 

Together with Ithuriel, he captures Satan in the Garden of Eden in the night and brings him to Gabriel. [Book IV, lines 786-874]

 

Zophiel 

A warrior "of swiftest wing" in the battle against Satan's forces [v.535].

THE FALLEN ANGELS 

The angels who, led by Satan, rebel against what they consider God's tyranny. They are thrown into Hell, where they become devils, devoted to the destruction of the human race as revenge against God. Some were destined to become the false gods of ancient civilizations.

Adonis (or Thammuz) 

In Greek mythology a beautiful youth destined to yearly death and resurrection, associated with nature's cycle and symbolized by a river of blood. Milton plays overtones. [i.446].

Adramelec 

A powerful Throne in Satan's army, beaten by Uriel [vi.365].

Ariel 

One of the rebels defeated by Abdiel [vi.371].

Arioc 

Another of the rebels defeated by Abdiel [vi.371].

Ashtaroth 

Several spirits of feminine gender in Satan's crew [i.422].

Asmadai 

A Throne who lost his battle with Raphael despite his weapons of diamond [vi.365].

Astoreth 

Worshiped as the queen of Heaven in Solomon's temple. [i.438].

Azazel 

A tall Cherub who raises Satan's standard in Hell to lift the spirits of the defeated rebels as Satan is about to speak [i.534].

Baalim 

A name for fallen spirits who would become beast-like gods of Israel [i.422].

Beelzebub 

 

The name means "The Lord of the Flies." In the New Testament, it's another name for Satan. Milton casts him as Satan's second in command. In the debate among the devils in Book II, Beelzebub presents the plan for a furtive revenge against God by perverting man.

Belial 

A member of the demonic council who speaks second [ii.108], conceding God is too powerful to oppose and they should wait for his amnesty. His graceful manner conceals a vice-ridden soul. On Earth he would corrupt churches and palaces, and fill the steets at night with violence and debauchery [i.490].

Chemos 

A devil who would turn the Jews against Moses and lead them in sinful sex orgies. [i.406]

Dagon 

A sea-monster, part man, part fish, worshiped by the Philistines. [i.462]

Lucifer 

Satan's name before he fell. It means "brightest star." In his original state, he was glorious to behold.

Mammon 

A low ranking angel, an admirer of material riches, he leads the angels in the construction of Pandemonium [i.674]. Later he would speak at the grand council. He advocates contentment with this new realm in Hell [ii.228].

Moloch 

A brutish spirit, obsessed with war and violence. He urges the devils to return to battle Heaven even after defeat has landed them in Hell. [ii.43] He would cause Solomon to build a temple against God. Children would be burned a sacrifice to his idol. [i.392]

Mulciber 

The architect of Pandemonium, Satan's palace in Hell. He comes with much experience, having designed many grand towers in Heaven. [i.740]

Nisroch 

Badly wounded in battle, during a nightime truce, this fallen spirit laments his newly discovered physical pain. [vi.447]

Ramiel 

Another of the rebel angels defeated by Abdiel [vi.371].

Rimmon 

A devil who practiced his demonic craft in Damascus.

Satan 

A central character in the first half of the poem. A high ranking archangel in Heaven who became jealous of the Son of God and led multitudes of angels in a violent rebellion against the Almighty. Tossed into Hell, he makes it his kingdom, where he plans revenge against God by corrupting mankind.

Satan’s complex musings and self-examination sometimes resemble a hero’s stance against a tyrannical enemy, inducing more sympathy from the reader than Milton intended. In the latter part of the poem, Satan’s character degenerates into a more typical villain, as we sympathize more with the human couple.

 

 

 

PERSONIFICATIONS 

In mythological style, Milton turns certain concepts into living beings. Among these are Grace, Liberty, Night, Chance, Discord, and the following three who become central to the plot.

Sin 

Daughter of Satan. Half-woman, half-serpent, she sprung from Satan's head when he conceived the thought of rebelling against God. She is charged to hold the key to the gates of Hell. [Book II, lines 648-889] Together with her son, Death, she builds a highway from Hell to Earth. [Book X, lines 229-414 & 585-615]

Death 

Son of Sin, fathered by Satan. A faceless creature, his first act upon being born is to rape his mother. He confronts Satan at the gate of Hell, and the two are prevented from a deadly battle when Sin reveals that he is Satan's son/grandson by incestuous union with her [ii.666].

Chaos 

The being who personifies the infinity of uncreated matter between Heaven, Hell, and our universe. Chaos resents God’s intrusion on his domain by creating the new world, and cheers Satan on in his quest to destroy it. [ii.951]

THE HUMAN RACE 

God creates mankind to eventually replace the emptiness in Heaven left when the rebel angels were cast out. He creates the universe for people to live in first, where they will be tested and made ready for Heaven to accept them. Milton recounts the early history of man as told in the Bible, through prophetic visions and revelations given to Adam.

Adam 

The first man, created perfect, but given free will, with which he can either maintain or lose his perfect state of happiness. God tests him by forbidding him to eat the fruit of one tree. Placing his love for Eve above his obedience to God proves his downfall. When Adam finds out that Eve has broken this commandment, rather than survive without her, he eats also, thereby losing Paradise and eternal happiness for himself and the world. [Book IX]
After God passes sentence on him, laying on the cold ground, Adam delivers a long, emotional speech expressing self-recrimination, terror of death, and pity for the future of mankind, which concludes with a shocking verbal attack against Eve [x.720].

Eve 

The first woman, created as a companion for Adam. She is subservient to Adam, but does not hesitate to argue with him. Satan targets her as the weaker sex, and tempts her to eat the forbidden fruit. She succumbs to his temptation, and decides to talk Adam into joining her in what at first seems like a good thing for both of them, but later brings terrible remorse. Their mutual love, together with God's mercy, sustains them and provides a conclusion to the story which is not without hope.
Eve's soliloquies before and after her sinful act are notable, as first she ruminates over Satan's persuasive argument, enhancing it with her own rationale, and afterwards considers not sharing the fruit with Adam, thereby raising herself to his level of wisdom by its imagined powers, or perhaps even, she thinks, a little higher. [Book IX]

MICHAEL'S PROPHECIES 

Before expelling Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, Michael shows Adam visions of events that will follow. Milton felt it was necessary to show not only what precipitated the fall, but it's consequences as well. This excursion into the Old Testament is widely considered anti-climactic, too lengthy, and is the least liked part of Paradise Lost. However, it may be of interest to some to see how one of the world's literary giants recounts this biblical chronology in his unique poetic style. [Books XI and XII]

Cain 

Adam's first son, who killed his younger brother in a fit of jealous rage. [xi.429-460]

Abel 

Adam’s gentle second son, who’s sincere offering to God resulted in his being murdered by his brother—the first human death, a violent one, which Adam painfully witnesses in a prophetic vision. [xi.429-460]

Enoch 

A son of Cain, who God lifted to Heaven to save him from an angry mob. [xi.665-711]

 

 

Noah 

A holy man who God saved when the rest of humanity became corrupt. God intructed him to build an ark and take his family and a pair of every kind of creature inside. A vision shows Adam the world destroyed by flood, while Noah and his family give the human race a second chance. [xi.719-901]

Nimrod 

Great grandson of Noah. Seeking divinity, he built the tower of Babel. He symbolizes mankind's corruption so soon after the flood. [xii.24-110]

Abraham 

Father of the Hebrew nation. [xii.111-151]

Isaac 

Son of Abraham, father of Jacob. [xii.153]

Jacob or Israel 

Son of Isaac, he had twelve sons who formed the twelve tribes of Israel. [xii.153 & 267]

Joseph 

The favored son of Jacob. His jealous brothers sold him into slavery, but he rose to become Pharaoh's viceroy. [xii.160]

Pharoah 

Egyptian king who kept the Jewish race in slavery. [xii.165]

Moses 

Raised as royalty, having been abandoned at birth and found by Pharoah’s daughter, he eventually learned he was a Jew. He was exiled into the wilderness by Pharoah. He led the Jews out of slavery and safely across the dry bottom of the Red Sea, which parted for them. God entrusted him to deliver the Ten Commandments to his people. [xii.169-244]

 

 

Aaron 

Older brother of Moses. He aided Moses in delivering the Israelites from bondage. [xii.169]

Joshua 

Leader of the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan. He divided the promised land among the twelve tribes. [xii.263]

David 

The second and greatest king of Israel. [xii.321]

Solomon 

Son of David, third king of Israel. [xii.331]

Jesus 

The Son of God incarnate. A descendant of David, born to an ordinary Jewish family, he became a wandering preacher. His teachings were considered seditious, causing him to be put to death by crucifixion, and thereby fulfilling his promise to mitigate, through his suffering, the sin of Adam and Eve. [xii.307-551]