Naming in Paradise: Milton and the Language of Adam and EveNames and naming are more important to Paradise Lost than may first appear. This critical study traces Milton's use of prelapsarian and postlapsarian names and the various distinctions that infiltrate Paradise Lost. Through close analysis of the poem's words and narrative, Leonard uncovers areas of meaning that have previously been lost to modern readers, supplying a valuable interpretive key to many important passages. Taking Adam's naming of the animals as his starting point, Leonard explores such topics as the naming of Eve, the blotting out of the rebel angels' names, and Satan's deliberate misapplication of names. By relating these and other topics to the larger episodes of the Fall of the Angels and the Fall of Adam and Eve, Leonard enriches our reading of Paradise Lost. Referring to Milton's earlier editors, as well as modern critics, he provides new insights into such questions as: was Milton of the Devil's party?; were the angels self-tempted?; was Adam right to chooses death with Eve'. Intended primarily for Milton specialists, the warm and lively style of Naming in Paradise ensures that this book will be accessible both to graduate and undergraduate students. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 37
Page 150
... speech with magnificent acerbity . Such a reading is invited by the lines , but it is not the only reading possible . When reading this speech aloud it is difficult to know just what tone or tones to employ . It will not quite do to say ...
... speech with magnificent acerbity . Such a reading is invited by the lines , but it is not the only reading possible . When reading this speech aloud it is difficult to know just what tone or tones to employ . It will not quite do to say ...
Page 151
... speech , from a confiding of private intentions to a simple lie designed for public reception . ' Tell them ' tells us which part of the speech is to be repeated to the lesser angels , but this later part of the speech is not less ...
... speech , from a confiding of private intentions to a simple lie designed for public reception . ' Tell them ' tells us which part of the speech is to be repeated to the lesser angels , but this later part of the speech is not less ...
Page 163
... speech is plain ? Belial's and Beelzebub's speeches , after all , are addressed to the clouded minds of fallen angels : the probative force required from them is comparatively weak . This speech is delivered to a vast assembly of ...
... speech is plain ? Belial's and Beelzebub's speeches , after all , are addressed to the clouded minds of fallen angels : the probative force required from them is comparatively weak . This speech is delivered to a vast assembly of ...
Contents
Naming Names | 23 |
Lucifer Prince of Twilight | 86 |
The Fall of the Angels | 147 |
Copyright | |
3 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
Abdiel Adam and Eve Adam's naming Ambiguous animals argue argument Beast Beelzebub Belial Bentley blotted C. S. Lewis call'd Castalian Spring Christopher Ricks cited claim command Coriolanus Cratylus Creation creatures critics Death deputy devils divorce earth Empson Enemie enmity Eve's name evil Fall fallen angels fallen world Fish Fowler fruit Genesis glory God's Gods hath hear Heav'n Hebrew Hell Hesperus human Hume notes Hymn innocence interpretation John John Milton knowledge lines Lucifer Lucifer's meaning Messiah Milton Milton's Grand Style morning star natural language never Newton night original name Paradise Lost poem poet poet's praise prelapsarian prelapsarian language Raphael rapture rebel angels recognize Richardson Satan speaks Satan's name sense serpent servility Son's sound speech Stanley Fish Starr suggestion Surprised tells Temptation thee things thir thou Throne titles Tree Tree's name twilight understanding vertue VIII vocabulary voice William Empson words