Milton's Paradise Lost: Essential Literary Annotations

Key Terms and Biblical Allusions (1-56)

1. 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: Mount Horeb and Sinai, where Moses heard the voice of God.
4. Shepherd: Moses; referring to the chosen seed, the Jews.
5. Sion Hill, Siloa's Brook: Places in Jerusalem, the holy city of the Jews.
6. Aonian Mount: Mount Helicon in Greece, sacred to the Muses.
7. Argument: Subject (or theme).
8. Providence: God's plan for the universe.
9. Justify: To show the justice of. Milton states his purpose in this line.
10. Grandparents: Adam and Eve.
11. Transgress: To sin against.
12. For one restraint: On account of the command not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge.
13. Th' Infernal Serpent: Satan, who in the Bible takes the form of a serpent and tempts Eve to eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge.
14. What time: When.
15. Host: Army.
16. His doom wrath: Fate had more punishment in store for him.
17. Obdurate: Stubborn.
18. Ken: Can see.
19. Still urges: Always presses; afflicts.
20. Sulphur: Burning sulfur, called Brimstone, is often associated with God's wrath.
21. As far removed utmost pole: This image is probably drawn from Virgil's Aeneid, which situates Tartarus (Hell) twice as far below the Earth's surface as the heavens are above it.
22. Weltering: Writhing; thrashing about.
23. Study: Pursuit.
24. With suppliant knee: Pleading in a kneeling position.
25. Doubted: Feared for.
26. Ignominy: Disgrace.
27. Empyreal: Heavenly.
28. Apostate: Renegade.
29. Vaunting: Boasting.
30. Compeer: Companion of equal rank.
31. Of force: Necessarily.
32. Suffice: Satisfy fully.
33. Thralls: Slaves.
34. Cherub: Angel.
35. Aught: At all.
36. Laid: Calmed.
37. Impetuous: Violently forceful.
38. Slip the occasion: Miss the chance.
39. Satiate: Satisfied.
40. Afflicted powers: Stricken troops.
41. Reinforcement: Increase of strength.
42. Rood: A unit of measure between six and eight yards.
43. Leviathan: A huge sea beast mentioned in the Bible, here identified with the whale by Milton.
44. Night-founder: Overtaken by the darkness of night.
45. Invest: Covers.
46. Incumbent on: Resting upon.
47. Lights: Rests after flight.
48. The force Etna: An underground wind moves a hill torn from Cape Pelorus on the coast of Sicily, or Mount Etna, a nearby volcano.
49. Sublimed: Vaporized.
50. Involved with: Wrapped in mist.
51. The Stygian Flood: The River Styx in Greek mythology, one of the rivers of the underworld.
52. Sufferance of supernal power: Permission of heavenly power.
53. All but less than: Second only to.
54. Wherefore: Why.
55. Astonished: Stunned. The Oblivious Pool.
56. Mansion: Dwelling place.