Paradise Lost Quotes Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What political comment is made about the English monarchy in the quote 'the throne and monarchy of God'?

It promotes democracy.

It encourages rebellion.

It tries to have complete authority like God. (correct)

It supports the idea of equality.

Who is described as the 'O Prince, O Chief of many throned Powers'?

Beelzebub

How is Satan described in relation to the Titans?

Satan is described as physically huge.

What does Satan mean by 'can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven'?

Satan believes he can redefine good and evil. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven' reveal about Satan's character?

It shows Satan's pride and desire for power. Signup and view all the answers

How does the narrator describe Satan's shield?

It is described as ponderous and large, resembling the moon. Signup and view all the answers

What does the quote 'awake, arise, or be forever fallen!' illustrate?

It shows how quickly fallen angels obey Satan. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'Pandemonium' described as in the narrative?

The high capital of Satan and his peers. Signup and view all the answers

What does Satan’s call for a democratic discussion reveal?

It indicates a false sense of fairness in their council. Signup and view all the answers

How is Belial described by the narrator?

Belial appears dignified but is ultimately corrupt. Signup and view all the answers

What is depicted about Sin in her description?

She is beautiful but also a serpent, representing danger. Signup and view all the answers

What does Sin's painful birth of death foreshadow?

It foreshadows the pain women will experience in childbirth due to sin. Signup and view all the answers

What does Satan express in his soliloquy about Hell?

He feels despair and considers himself to be Hell. Signup and view all the answers

What does the description of Eve waking up in shade imply?

It suggests her distance from God and foreshadows her fall. Signup and view all the answers

What theme is presented in Adam's statement about God?

Mankind's increasing confidence and defiance against God. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Naked left to guilty shame' symbolize?

It symbolizes their awareness of sin and loss of innocence. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Quotes and Themes from Paradise Lost

Political Commentary: The phrase "the throne and monarchy of God" critiques the English monarchy's aspiration for absolute power similar to that of God.
Beelzebub's Role: Beelzebub is referred to as "O Prince, O Chief of many throned Powers," indicating a hierarchy in Hell that resembles a democratic structure, contrasting with God's singular authority.
Satan's Physicality: Descriptions of Satan as "extended long and large" via epic similes to Titans highlight both his immense power and the unsettling reminder of his non-human status.
Satan’s Philosophy: The quote "can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven" reveals Satan's rejection of good and evil, signifying his intention to reclaim agency in a tyrannical realm.
Pride of Satan: "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" underscores Satan’s pride, prioritizing power over the nature of his surroundings.
Epic Poetry Elements: Satan’s "ponderous shield...like the moon" employs grand imagery typical of epic poetry, enhancing the portrayal of heavenly battle yet highlighting their defeat against God.
Leadership Dynamics: The command "awake, arise, or be forever fallen!" shows how quickly the fallen angels rally under Satan's leadership, indicating a desire for guidance.
Pandemonium: Described as a "high capital of Satan," it illustrates Hell as a complex civilization, with resources provided by God that allow its inhabitants to thrive rather than suffer.
Debate and Democracy: Satan's call for "free choice" reflects the illusion of democratic discussion among demons about their plans against Heaven, critiquing real-world corrupt political systems.
Irony of Belial: The narrator’s description of Belial as "fair and rational" but "false and hollow" symbolizes corrupt political figures who disguise malevolent intentions with eloquent speech.
Plotting in Hell: "Thus Beelzebub pleaded his devilish counsel" emphasizes the premeditated nature of evil plans, suggesting a façade of fairness manipulated by Satan's authority.
Sin’s Duality: Sin’s portrayal as a beautiful woman with serpentine features warns of lust's danger, paralleling Eve's eventual temptation by the serpent.
Death's Appearance: Described as a formless shadow, death represents humanity's fear of the unknown and its non-human essence.
Parody of Divine Conversations: Sin's plea "O father, what intends thy hand, against thy only son?" parodies divine dialogues, exploring themes of identity and responsibility.
Foreshadowing Pain: Sin's painful childbirth experience foreshadows the suffering that Eve will bring upon humanity through her actions.
Lust’s Sinister Nature: The relationship between Sin and Death, marked by the violent act of reproduction, signifies the perversion of natural desires post-fall.
Obedience and Authority: Sin’s statements to Satan echo the dynamic between Son and God, humorously highlighting the inversion of roles.
Satan's Inner Turmoil: The soliloquy "Me miserable! Which way shall I fly..." reveals Satan's despair and self-awareness, acknowledging his embodiment of Hell and regret for the fall.
Predatory Imagery: The simile comparing Satan to a prowling wolf highlights his powerful, intimidating nature and foreshadows his deceptive tactics later.
Gender Roles: The portrayal of Adam and Eve establishes a hierarchy where Adam represents authority while Eve embodies softness and allure.
Eve’s Coyness: The term "coy submission" suggests Eve's complex character, balancing obedience with her charming and vain elements, hinting at future conflicts.
Physical Power Reversal: Satan’s description as stalking like a lion or tiger reflects his predatory nature while portraying Adam and Eve as innocent prey.
Eve's Awakening: Her awakening "under a shade on flowers" suggests a disconnect from divine Light, foreshadowing her impending fall.
Vanity as Flaw: Eve's fixation on her reflection parallels Narcissus, indicating her inherent vanity and foreshadowing self-obsession versus divine worship.
Critique of Purity Norms: The narrator's declaration about the "mysterious of connubial love" counters conventional views on sex, advocating for its joyful nature within divine intention.
Satan's Diminishing Power: Described as a toad, Satan's physicality diminishes, revealing his reliance on cunning and deception as he grows distant from divine power.
Co-responsibility in the Fall: Adam’s command to Eve emphasizes his recognition of her freedom but also his failure to protect her, suggesting shared culpability in the Fall.
Satan's Manipulation: His flattery of Eve reveals his manipulation of her vanity, emphasizing the tension between her perceived adoration and her actual subordinate status.
Alteration and Knowledge: Eve's desire for wisdom drives her to taste the fruit, showcasing a quest for independence but leading to tragic consequences.
Distorted Truth: Satan's claim that the fruit offers "knowledge of good and evil" is a deceptive truth, as it results in the realization of lost innocence.
Nature’s Response to the Fall: "Earth felt the wound" highlights the cosmogonic impact of the Fall, setting the stage for humanity's destructive relationship with nature.
Eve’s Independence Quest: Her reflections reveal a desire for equality and autonomy, indicating inherent tension in her relationship with Adam.
Corruption of Innocence: Eve’s temptation and deceit represent the loss of innocence, contrasting divine intentions with corrupt impulses.
Adam's Defiance: His reasoning against divine punishment illustrates growing human defiance and confidence post-Fall.
Gender Dynamics in Disobedience: Adam’s choice to eat the fruit emphasizes the drastic consequences of priorities misplaced on earthly allure over divine command.
Sexuality Post-Fall: Their intimate relationship becomes tainted with lust, transforming original innocence into a source of shame and temptation.
Shame of Nakedness: The awareness of nudity post-Fall signifies the newfound guilt and shame accompanying their sinful state.
Eve’s Blame Shift: Her criticism of Adam for not preventing her sin reveals ironic contradictions in her views on authority and responsibility.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key quotes from John Milton's 'Paradise Lost' with this set of flashcards. Each card presents significant lines along with insightful definitions, helping you understand the deeper meanings and themes of the text. Perfect for students studying English literature or preparing for exams.