Key Terms and Allusions in Milton's Paradise Lost

Biblical and Classical References

• 1. One Greater Man: Jesus Christ.
• 2. Heavenly Muse: The source of Milton's inspiration, identified with the Spirit of God that spoke to Moses.
• 3. Oreb... Sinai: Mounts on which Moses heard the voice of God.
• 4. Shepherd: Moses.
• 5. The Chosen Seed: The Jews.
• 6. Sion Hill... Siloa's Brook: Places in Jerusalem, the holy city of the Jews.
• 7. Aonian Mount: Mount Helicon in Greece, sacred to the Muses.

Theological Concepts and Arguments

• 8. Argument: Subject.
• 9. Providence: God's plan for the universe.
• 10. Justify: Show the justice of. Milton states his purpose in this line.
• 11. Transgress: Sin against.
• 12. Our Grand Parents: Adam and Eve.
• 13. For One Restraint: On account of the command not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge.

The Fall of Satan and the Host of Hell

• 14. Th' Infernal Serpent: Satan, who in the Bible takes the form of a serpent.
• 15. What Time: When.
• 16. Host: Army.
• 17. Him the Almighty Power... Arms: God hurls Satan from Heaven to Hell.
• 18. His Doom... Wrath: Fate had more punishment in store for him.
• 19. Obdurate: Stubborn.
• 20. Ken: Can see.
• 21. Darkness Visible: Milton conveys the desolation of Hell through a horrifying paradox: flames that give no light, only "darkness visible."
• 22. Still Urges: Always presses, afflicts.
• 23. Sulphur: Burning sulphur, called brimstone.
• 24. As Far Removed... Utmost Pole: The image is probably drawn from Virgil's Aeneid, which situates Tartarus, or Hell, as twice as far below Earth's surface as the Heavens are above it.
• 25. Weltering: Writhing, thrashing about.
• 26. Long After Known... Satan: The ancient Phoenicians, whose land is here called Palestine, known as Beelzebub in the Bible.

Vocabulary and Character Descriptions

• 27. Study: Pursuit.
• 28. With Suppliant Knee: Pleading in a kneeling position.
• 29. Doubted: Feared for.
• 30. Ignominy: Disgrace.
• 31. Empyreal: Heavenly.
• 32. Apostate: Renegade.
• 33. Vaunting: Boasting.
• 34. Compeer: Companion of equal rank.
• 35. Of Force: Necessarily.
• 36. Suffice: Satisfy fully.
• 37. Thralls: Slaves.
• 38. Beelzebub's Suggestion: Beelzebub suggested that God has left the fallen angels their strength to increase their suffering or so that they can use them for His will.
• 39. Cherub: Angel.
• 40. Aught: At all.
• 41. Laid: Calmed.
• 42. Impetuous: Violently forceful.
• 43. Slip Th' Occasion: Miss the chance.
• 44. Satiate: Satisfied.
• 45. Afflicted Powers: Stricken troops.
• 46. Reinforcement: Increase of strength.
• 47. Rood: A unit of measure, between six and eight yards.
• 48. As Whom... Tarsus Held: Titans and Giants' battle against Jove, just as Satan against God, unsuccessfully.
• 49. Leviathan: Huge sea beast.
• 50. Night-foundered: Overtaken by the darkness of night.
• 51. Invest: Covers.
• 52. Incumbent On: Resting upon.
• 53. Lights: Rests after flight.
• 54. The Forced... Etna: Underground wind moves a hill torn.
• 55. Sublime: Vaporized.
• 56. Involved In: Wrapped in.
• 57. The Stygian Flood: Underworld's River Styx.
• 58. Sufferance of Supernal Power: Permission of heavenly power.
• 59. All But Less: Second only to.
• 60. Wherefore: Why.
• 61. Astonished: Stunned.
• 62. Mansion: Dwelling place.