Paradise Lost Quotes Flashcards

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.