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Allegory
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Book 1
Explanation and Analysis—Satan's "Monstrous Size":
In Book 1, Milton uses allusions and simile to convey Satan's enormous stature and power:
Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate
With head up-lift above the wave, and eyes
That sparkling blaz'd, his other parts besides
Prone on the flood, extended long and large
Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge
As whom the fables name of monstrous size,
Titanian, or Earth-born, that warr'd on Jove,
Briareos or Typhon, whom the Den
By ancient Tarsus held, or that sea-beast
Leviathan, which God of all his works
Created hugest that swim th' ocean stream...
Related Themes:
Book 4
Explanation and Analysis—The Good Angels:
In Book 4, Milton describes the good angels preparing to battle Satan after he has been discovered in Paradise, and employs an allusion and a simile to describe them:
Unlock with LitCharts A+While thus he spake, th’ angelic squadron bright
Turned fiery red, sharp’ning in moonèd horns
Their phalanx, and began to hem him round
With ported spears, as thick as when a field
Of Ceres ripe for harvest waving bends
Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind
Sways them; the careful ploughman doubting stands
Lest on the threshing floor his hopeful sheaves
Prove chaff.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Eden's Splendor:
In Book 4, Milton uses a series of allusions to describe Eden/Paradise:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Not that fair field
Of Enna, where Prosérpine gath’ring flow’rs
Herself a fairer flow’r by gloomy Dis
Was gathered, which cost Ceres all that pain
To seek her through the world; nor that sweet grove
Of Daphne by Orontes, and th’ inspired
Castalian spring, might with this Paradise
Of Eden strive...
Book 5
Explanation and Analysis—Morning in Eden:
In Book 5, Adam awakes next to Eve in Eden, and their morning is described with rich imagery (as well as a few allusions):
Unlock with LitCharts A+Now Morn her rosy steps in th’ eastern clime
Advancing, sowed the earth with orient pearl,
When Adam waked, so customed, for his sleep
Was airy light, from pure digestion bred,
And temperate vapours bland, which th’ only sound,
Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora’s fan,
Lightly dispersed, and the shrill matin song
Of birds on every bough; so much the more
His wonder was to find unwakened Eve
With tresses discomposed, and glowing cheek,
As through unquiet rest: he on his side
Leaning half-raised, with looks of cordial love
Hung over her enamoured, and beheld
Beauty, which whether waking or asleep,
Shot forth peculiar graces; then with voice
Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes,
Her hand soft touching, whispered thus.
Related Themes:
Book 9
Explanation and Analysis—Satan as Serpent:
In Book 9, Milton uses a series of allusions to describe the serpent whose form Satan has assumed to seduce Eve:
Unlock with LitCharts A+So spake the Enemy of mankind, enclosed
In serpent, inmate bad, and toward Eve
Addressed his way [...]
Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass
Floated redundant: pleasing was his shape,
And lovely, never since of serpent kind
Lovelier, not those that in Illyria changed
Hermione and Cadmus, or the god
In Epidaurus; nor to which transformed Ammonian Jove,
or Capitoline was seen,
He with Olympias, this with her who bore Scipio the heighth of Rome.
