Religious Allegories of the Seventeenth Century (cont'd.)

Knowing the Bible as a work of literature allows deeper insight into various other texts that allude to stories in the Bible. Allegories often contain Biblical allusions. Recall that an allegory is a story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. During the Seventeenth Century, political and religious turmoil reigned, so the political allegory provided an underlying message of the author's stance on the ruling party. Review the characteristics of an allegory below. (Look familiar? You learned these characteristics in your study of the Middle Ages).

Allegories typically reveal the political or moral stance
of the writer
Allegories have a deeper meaning and represent an
underlying message
Allegories have characters with opposing viewpoints in
order to reveal the underlying message
Allegories often contain personification, such as animals
representing humans, in order to create the surface
story that masks the underlying meaning and symbolism
to represent underlying ideas

About the Text: Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost, published in 1667 and written by John Milton, not only represents an epic detailing the story of sin and death from the Bible, but the work of literature also holds politically allegorical undertones of Milton's support for the parliament and his representation of King Charles as Satan as a false leader to the fallen angels. Before reading Paradise Lost, a deep understanding of Biblical literature remains necessary in order to recognize the heavy amount of Biblical allusions Milton includes in the epic. Similarly, the elevated, poetic language of the epic creates a more difficult text to interpret. For an underlying understanding of the plot, click here to read a summary of the epic. You will be reading excerpts from Paradise Lost in order to experience the elements of a religious epic and political allegory during the Seventeenth Century.

Paradise Lost Book I by John Milton

Book I of Paradise Lost reveals the power struggle that occurs between God and Satan that leads to the fall of Satan. The story of the fall of Satan does not appear in detail in the Bible, so Milton's epic provides a literary interpretation of Satan's fall from grace. Recall that Biblical and Classical allusions permeate Milton's epic.

It is now time to read Book I of Paradise Lost.

Book I Self-Assessment - Recognizing Allusions

After reading Book I in Paradise Lost, examine each quote to see if you can recognize the allusion. Answers appear below.

With loss of Eden, till one greater man.

In the Beginning how the Heav'ns and Earth"

"Dove-like satst brooding on the vast Abyss"

"Thir boasted Parents; Titan Heavn's first born"

Answers:

1. Refers to Jesus of Romans coming to save

2. References the opening lines of Genesis from the Bible

3. Alludes to the Holy Spirit, who appears as a dove in John I

4. Refers to Moses from Exodus in the Bible

5. Refers to Heaven and Earth who were the parents of the Titans (in Greek Mythology)

Book VII

Book VII of Paradise Lost recounts the creation story from Genesis 1-3 in the Bible. However, Milton combines biblical elements and events with his own narrative ideas and interpretations. When reading Book VII, note the similarities and differences in Genesis 1-3 and Book VII. Also, continue to observe the plethora of Classical and Biblical allusions throughout the text.

It is now time to read Book VII of Paradise Lost.

Book VII Self-Assessment - Recognizing Allusions

After reading Book VII in Paradise Lost, examine each quote to see if you can recognize the allusion. Answers appear below.

"Thou with Eternal Wisdom didst converse"

"Things not reveal'd, which th' invisible King"

"Glorie they sung to the most High, good will"

"Let ther be Light, said, God, and forthwith Light"

The grassie Clods now Calv'd, now halg appeer'd"

Answers:

1. References a mythological winged horse - offspring of Poseidon and Medusa

2. References the Biblical view of wisdom as a character involved inCreation from Proverbs

3. References 1 Timothy from the Bible which uses the same term for God

4. References lines from Luke 2 in the Bible

5. Paraphrasing from the Creation story in Genesis from the Bible

6. Images from Metamorphoses by Ovid

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