Bits of Life 2

F-14 Words-425

that truth is like a "pearl that shows best by day" and likened to "naked and open daylight" that reveals reality without deception.

In an essay on “Of Studies”, Bacon discusses the benefits of reading, learning, critical thinking and emphasizes the importance of education and intellectual growth.

The next important poet that made a deep impression on me was John Milton. After arrest during the Restoration, Milton was arrested and imprisoned on account of his support to commonwealth and Oliver Cromwell and liberal views on religion. These dark years of Milton were the most productive of his life. He wrote, Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, Samson Agonistes and Areopagitica.

Paradise Lost is epic poem consisting of ten books, its theme being the fall of man from Paradise due to temptation. Finally, Adam and Eve leave paradise with the hope and with a promise of salvation through Christ.

Paradise Lost, Book one was prescribed for a detailed study for us. It was a memorable experience of reading Milton’s best work, which till date is enjoyed the world over, inspiring writers and scholars alike. It is one of the most talked about epic poems, praised for its value as a theological discourse.

Following the classical tradition, Milton invokes the Heavenly Muse or Holy Spirit to help him “justify the ways of God” to men and to sing of man’s first disobedience to God.

Action begins, when Satan and his followers were defeated by the Divine Army and hurled down from heaven. So Satan and his followers find their Pandemonium to find ways to revenge against God in heaven.

Beelzebub, Satan’s important follower, speaks passionately on the matter. Our special focus was not only on the theme of the Book1 but also on the language and style of Milton.

Milton’s use of blank verse in which hell is described “darkness visible” is applauded along with other ornamentations like epic similes and Satan’s status as a complex anti-hero. He is depicted as a magnificent yet, a flawed leader.

Some of his words are memorable.
“Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n."

“The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n.”

“Awake, arise, or be for ever fall'n."
“What is dark within me, illumine”
It is a critic’s pleasure to study the technique of using epic similes in Paradise Lost Book 1

The first simile is describing Satan as the beast the massive Leviathan, the sailors mistook as an island.
Another nice simile is that of comparing the fallen angels