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Unit 20: Paradise Lost-I (Non-detailed Study): Discussion and Analysis–I

wolf into a sheep’s pen. While he does not exactly take the form of a wolf, he continues to be compared Notes
to and associated with wild, predatory animals. He takes the shape of a bird atop the Tree of Life,
and then morphs into a toad to whisper temptation into Eve’s ear. Satan’s shapes become
progressively less impressive and stately. Once an imposing figures, he shrinks himself to become
a lesser angel, then a mere bird, and finally a much less appealing animal: a toad.
In this book, we are presented with Eve’s first memories of awakening to consciousness, though we
have to wait until Book VIII to see Adam’s first memories. Eve’s account subtly underscores her
distance from God and need for guidance. She awakens in shade rather than daylight, suggesting
her separation from the light of God’s truth. Almost immediately, she finds herself captivated and
deceived by an image—her reflection in the water, which she does not recognize as merely an
image. She admits that she would probably still be by the water’s edge, fixated there in vain desire,
if it wasn’t for God’s calling her away. This image recalls the story of Narcissus from Ovid’s
Metamorphoses, a story that Renaissance poets such as Petrarch used to show that erotic desire is
based on visual images that are inherently vain and deceptive. Milton’s allusion to Narcissus makes
a similar point: human beings, especially women, need God’s help to escape the trap of desire
based on images. Significantly, it is the voice rather than the visual image of God that calls her
away. Also noteworthy in this context is the fact that in his first speech to Eve, God says that Eve is
herself an image—the reflection of Adam.

Self Assessment

Multiple Choice Questions:
1. Which angel does Satan trick by disguising himself as a cherub?
(a) Michale (b) Uriel
(c) Raphael (d) Abdiel
2. Which of the following forms does Satan not take?
(a) Angel (b) Toad
(c) Cormorant (d) All of these
3. In which book of the Bible does the story of Adam and Eve occur?
(a) Leviticus (b) Exodus
(c) Genesis (d) Deuteronomy
4. Which devil advocates a renewal of all-out war against God?
(a) Belial (b) Moloch
(c) Mammon (d) Beelzebub
5. Which angel wields a large sword in the battle and wounds Satan?
(a) Michael (b) Abdiel
(c) Uriel (d) None of these
6. Which of the following is not found in Hell?
(a) Gems (b) Gold
(c) Oil (d) Minerals
7. Which devil is the main architect of Pandemonium?
(a) Mulciber (b) Mammon
(c) Moloch (d) Belial
8. How many times does Milton invoke a muse?
(a) One (b) Two
(c) Three (d) Four

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