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Milton's Conception Of Hell In Paradise Lost Analysis

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Iqra Khan Dr Kamal ud Din English 315 11 October, 2014 Milton’s Conception of Hell in Paradise Lost Book 1 Milton in Paradise Lost recreates the tale of humankind's fall, primarily focusing on the Satan's rebellion against Heaven and its sole King. Book 1 of the epic is much like an informative piece of literature, the most imperative argument of which is the cause of man’s fall and Satan’s mutiny against God leading to his banishment to Hell. If we scrutinize Milton’s conception of Hell in the epic, it can be observed that he provides us with a visual description of the damned place both from his own as well as from the spectacle of Satan. One of the most effective tools that Milton utilizes is the contrast between Heaven and Hell in order to depict the desolate scenario of Hell. The description repeatedly conveys to us the gloomy atmosphere of the place which is characterized with extreme hopelessness and infernal horrors. Furthermore, Milton often makes use of such words and phrases that directly allude to the …show more content…

61), wholly draped in darkness. "As one great furnace flamed, yet from those flames No light, but rather, darkness visible" (62-63). The only light that he mentions here is that of one’s sight which makes the darkness visible to him. The couch "darkness visible" here is an oxymoron and carries a very deep meaning. Heaven can be taken as a description of pure light symbolizing pure goodness likewise Hell is pure darkness denoting pure evil. One can relate this phrase to the text as, a darkness being so pure that it is visible. Even when Milton emphasizes on the darkness, the fires of hell, which are ashen gray are portrayed not as a provision of light but as an infliction of pain. The torments of hell (“on all sides round”) also suggest a location like an active volcano. (http://www.britannica.com/shakespeare/article-11764). The absence of light also stands for dearth of

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