"Such Prompt Eloquence": Language as Agency and Character in Milton's EpicsThis work traces in Milton's epics the characters' uses of words and analyzes the ways in which language leads the reader to a very precise understanding of the agents in the poems. Through discussion of the verbal conflicts, it demonstrates how Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained are of a piece. |
Contents
| 9 | |
Satanic Language and the Fall of Man | 48 |
Human Language before the Fall | 69 |
Human Language after the Fall | 90 |
Divine LanguagePaternal Filial and Angelic | 117 |
Language as Weapon in Paradise Regained | 131 |
Notes | 153 |
Works Cited | 167 |
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Common terms and phrases
Abdiel action Adam and Eve Adam's ambiguity argues argument Arnold Stein assertion Beelzebub begins Book C. S. Lewis character Christ Christopher Ricks Cicero claims conversation corruption creation creatures deeds delight devils discourse divine language dream Earl Miner earlier effect Eve's evil fact Fall fallen false Father Filial flattering followers fruit Gabriel glory God's grace guage guile hear Heaven Hell human language innocence intent internal Ithuriel John Steadman kind knowledge linguistic manipulative means Michael Milton Studies Milton's Epic mind mode narrative obedience offer Paradise Lost Paradise Regained persuasive poem praise prelapsarian prompt eloquence Raphael reader reason rebel angels reflects repent reveals rhetorical questions role Satanic language says scene seen sense serpent shows silence Son's speak speech Stanley Fish Steadman style suggests temptation thee theodicean things thir thou thoughts tion transgression truth University Press utters verbal voice warning words Yale University
Popular passages
Page 114 - O goodness infinite, goodness immense ! That all this good of evil shall produce, And evil turn to good ; more wonderful Than that which by creation first brought forth Light out of darkness ! Full of doubt I stand, Whether I should repent me now of sin By me done, and occasion'd, or rejoice Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring ; To God more glory, more good-will to men From God, and over wrath grace shall abound.
Page 52 - None left but by submission ; and that word Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame...
Page 46 - To his bold riot : dreadful was the din Of hissing through the hall, thick -swarming now With complicated monsters...
Page 42 - For dignity composed and high exploit. But all was false and hollow — though his tongue Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear The better reason, to perplex and dash Matures!
Page 43 - Others more mild, Retreated in a silent valley, sing With notes angelical to many a harp Their own heroic deeds and hapless fall By doom of battle ; and complain that fate ' Free virtue should enthrall to force or chance.
Page 58 - Know ye not then, said Satan, fill'd with scorn, Know ye not me? ye knew me once no mate For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar: Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, The lowest of your throng; or, if ye know, Why ask ye, and superfluous begin Your message, like to end as much in vain?
Page 31 - As great might have aspir'd, and me, though mean, Drawn to his part; but other Powers as great Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within Or from without, to all temptations arm'd. Hadst thou the same free will and power to stand...
Page 62 - Thoughts, whither have ye led me! with what sweet Compulsion thus transported, to forget What hither brought us! hate, not love; nor hope Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste Of pleasure ; but all pleasure to destroy, Save what is in destroying; other joy <"8 To me is lost.
Page 56 - Him there they found Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, Assaying by his devilish art to reach The organs of her fancy...
Page 77 - These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, Almighty ! thine this universal frame, Thus wondrous fair: thyself how wondrous then, Unspeakable ! who sitt'st above these heavens To us invisible, or dimly seen In these thy lowest works; yet these declare Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine.