Question- Explain with reference to the context any four of the following passages.

Answer -

1.

"What in me is dark
Important Explanations
Illumine, what is low raise and support,
That to the height of this great argument
I may assert Eternal providence."
And justify the ways of God to men"    (Lines 22 to 26) 

Reference: These lines occur in Milton's great epic poem 'Paradise Lost' Book I. It is written on classical models. It is exquisitely nourished upon the best thought and finest words of all ages.

Context: These lines are a part of the invocation at the opening of Paradise Lost. Milton after having invoked the support of heavenly Muse, now addresses the Divine spirit a higher power than muse.

Explanation: The poet invokes the Holy Spirit to throw light on what is unknown to the poet and elevate whatever is low in him so that he may be able to do justice to the theme which is lofty and sublime and vindicate the unfailing love and wisdom with which God governs the world as also prove that God is just in his dealings with men.

Comments: These lines show Milton's devotion to God. Milton also refers to his blindness when he says 'what in me is dark illumine'. The word low shows his humility.

2.

Him the Almighty Power
Hurled head long flaming from the ethereal sky
With hideous ruin and combustion downs
To bottomless perdition, there to dwell
In adamatine chains and penal fire,
Who durst defy the omnipotent to arms.    (Lines 44 to 49)

Reference: As above.

Context: With his ambitions aim of securing the throne and the kingship of heaven for himself, Satan challenged the sovereignity of God. He started an unholy war. He was defeated.

Explanation: The all powerful God flung him precipitately from Heaven in a track of flame. His fall was frightful. He was burnt by the fire of thunder which pursued him. He was hurled into the unfathomable depth of Hell. He was condemned to live there perpetually. He was bound in unbreakable chains and scorched by the fire of Hell. It was punishment of his and a city as he challenged the all powerful God in battle.

3.

What though the field be lost
All is not lost, the unconquerable will
And study of revenge, immortal hate
And courage never to submit or yield
And what else is not to be overcome     (Lines 105 to 111)

Reference: As above.

Context: These lines are a part of Stan's first speech in Paradise Lost Book I. Satan is addressing his follower Beelzebub. He has spoken about the revolt of angles against God and resulting defeat and downfall. Satan tries to infuse new courage into his fellow angels.

Explanation: Satan says that it is of least importance if they have been defeated for though they have lost Heaven they have not lost every thing. They still retain the unconquerable will, courage and determination to have. their revenge upon God. They still retain their undying hatred for their enemy i.e., God. They have an unyielding courage to have their revenge. The enemy will not be able conquer their undying spirit. Their real defeat would be if they bow before the enemy and ask for mercy and they are determined not to do so.

Comments: Satan is shown to have attained heroic dimensions. Milton tries to exalt Satan through these courage infusing lines. In this speech. Satan shows certain worthy qualities of an epic hero.

4.

We may, with more successful hope,
resolve To wage by force or guide eternal war,
Irreconcileable to our grand foe,
Who now triumphs, and in the excess of joy,
Sole reigning, holds the tyranny of Heaven.     (Lines 120 to 124)

Reference: As above.

Context: It is decreed by fate that the strength of Gods which they possess and the ethereal substance of which their bodies are composed, are imperishable.

Explanation: Satan asserts that they may now with greater hope of success resolve to wage an unending as against God either by their military strength or by cunning devices. They shall never be reconciled with their great enemy who now exalts in triumph and, in unbounded joy, continues his tyranic rule in Heaven as its undisputed despot.

5.

Fallen cherub, to be weak is miserable
'Doing or suffering, but of this be sure
To do aught good never will be our task
But ever to do ill our sole delight
As being the contrary to his high will
Whom we resist"     (Lines 157 to 162)

Reference: As above.

Context: In reply to Satan's first speech Beelzebub cautions him against waging another war against God. God is their conqueror and so Beelzebub calls him Almighty and He can withdraw their power and strength and may destroy them at any moment He likes.

Explanation: Satan here try so console Beelzebub and to allay his fears. Addressing his followers as fallen angels he says that weakness in any form causes misery whether it is in doing something actively or suffering some punishment passively. But rest assured that it will never be our intention to do anything good. We shall find out delight in doing evil only and thus oppose the high will of God whom they have to resist. Satan declares that they will do every possible thing to thwart the purposes of God.

Comments: Beelzebub's misgiving's are removed by Satan by reaffirming continued opposition to God. We find Satan as a personification of evil. Cherubs means angles of light or knowledge.

6.

Is this the region this the soil, the clive,
Said then the lost Archangel, this the seat
That we must change for Heaven?     (Lines 241 to 244)

Reference: As above.

Context: Wicked Satan found rest. Beelzebub followed him there. Both of them were exulting at their escape from the fiery lake as if they had the power of Gods and had escaped by their own strength.

Explanation: The fallen Archangel Satan, then asked if that was the region, the soil, the climate and abode that they must have in exchange for Heaven. He further asked if they must have that region of dismal darkness in place of the regions of heavenly light.

7.

Receive thy new possessor, one who brings
A mind not to be changed by place or time.
The mind is the own place, and in itself
Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven.

Reference : As above.

Context : The fallen Archangel Satan, then asked his followers to accept the sorrowful position as our winner wants this. He is almighty and we should accept our fate.

Explanation : The fallen Satan says that it is the best thing for us to live far from the God. He is equal to us in mental faculties, but we are inferior to him in physical strength. Then the takes farewell to the happy fields of Heaven where joy forever dwells, hail and horrors welcome the horrors of the lower world. He says to the deepest abyss of Hell to receive their new king.

Their new king will carry with him such a powerful mind which will not be affected by the adverse circumstances of time and place.

8.

Here at least
We shall be free, the Almighty hath not built
Here fore his envy, will not drive us hence;
Here we may reign secure, and is my choice,
To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell
Better to reign in Hell that serve in Heaven.     (Lines 258 to 263)

Reference  : As above.

Context. The mind is independent of external circumstances. It can live within itself. It can convert hell into Heaven and it can change Heaven into Hell.

Explanation : Here in Hell, they should at least be free, for God has not built anything here, for possessing which he may envy him. So he will not expel them from this wretched place. Here they may reign without fear, and his opinion, to reign is worth ambition, though it be in Hell. It is better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven.

9.

The broad circumferencev
Hung on his shoulders like the moon, whose orab
Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views,
At evening from the top of Fe sole,
Or in Valdarno, to descry new lands,
Rivers, on mountains, in her spotty globe.

Reference : As above.

Context : Satam, the defeated Archangel, after lifiting his huge body from the surface of the lake speaks to his followers advising them to accept their miserable bosition because they have to endure whatever their conqurer, God wishes.

Explanation : As soon as Beelzebub stopped speaking, Satan began to move towards the shore, his heavy shield flung on his back. It was a massive, large and round piece of armour tempered in Heaven. Its broad compars looked like the moon whose circle Galileo observed through the telescope in the evening from the top of Fesole or in the velley of Valdarno to catch right of the new lands or rivers or mountains in its spoiled surface.

10.

"Next chemos, th' obscence-dread of Moabs sons
From Asroar to Nebo and the wild,
Of southmost Abarimm, in Hasebon,
And Heronaim Scorn's realm, beyond
The flowery dale of sibma clad with vines,
An fleale to the Asphaltic pool;    (Lines 406 to 411)

Reference: As above.

Context: Milton describes those friends who, long after getting out of the depths of Hell and wandering on Earth in search of their victims among mankind,dared to get their places of worship established in the immediate vicinity of God's temple.

Explanation: The next to come forward was Chemos. He was the lustful God who was worshipped in fear by the people of Moab in the region between Aroe and Nebo and in the wilderness of the mountain range of Abarin in the extreme south. He was also worshipped in the two towns of Hesebon and Horonaim lying in the territory of king Seon, beyond the flowery valley of the vine-covered Sibmah. His worship extended from the city of Eleale to the Dead Sea.

11.

But, in what shape they choose
Dilated or condensed bright or obscure,
Can execute their aeray purposes,
And works or love or enmity fulfil.    (Lines 428 to 431)

Reference: As above.

Context: These devils were spirits. So they did not depend for support on the frail strength of bones like a body of flesh.

Explanation: It was possible for these devils to assume any shape they liked-big or small, bright or dark, in order to carry out through the air, their schemes which might be inspired either by love or by enmity.

12.

Peace is despaired
For who can think submission? War than, war
Open or understood, must be resolved.     (Lines 660 to 662)

Reference: As above.

Context: Satan says that they may go there or elsewhere. Heavenly spirits like them can never beheld in captivity. But this plan must developed by deliberation.

Explanation: Satan asserts that there is no hope of peace because they can never think of surrendering themselves to the will of God. So there is no alternative for them except to resolve on a war against God whether it is open or secret. They cannot think otherwise. They are required to wage war against God. It may be open or secret.

13.

They heard, and were abashed, and up they sprung,
Upon the wing, as when men wont to watch,
On duty sleeping found by whom they dread
Rouse and bestir themselves ere well awake.

Reference : As above.

Context : Satan addressed rebel angels and urged to shake up their stupefaction and get up, take courage or be content to remain fallen for ever.

Explanation : +- The rebel angels heard the summons of Satan and they felt very much ashamed. They rose as quickly as watchmen, who are found sleeping at their posts by their officers whom they fear and they become alert before they are fully awake. The rebel angels felt and realised their position and became active to show their worth.

14.

Let none admire
That riches grow in hell; that soil may best
Deserve the precious bane.

Reference: As above

Context: As above

Explanation: According to Satan, the mind is independent of external circumstances. It can live within itself. It can convert hell into heaven and it can change heaven into hell. Even if whatever the riches, are here, grow in this is never admired but they must know the soil of hell whatever here grows is deserved to be the best for them and it gives them the best to fight with God.

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