Milton's Use of the Homeric Tradition of Epic Simile
in
by Barry Wright
Essay: Milton's Use of the Homeric Tradition of Epic Simile in
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Throughout the epic Paradise Lost by John Milton, we see Milton continue the Homeric tradition of epic simile for
a number of reasons. Initially Milton may just be using these simile’s to stay true to the decorum of the epic at the
time, but the simile’s also do something more for the reader. They show us Milton’s attitude toward Satan, the
relationship of heroic to Christian values and more. It is quite interesting that thus far in the epic Milton does not
use an epic simile to describe God, which may set the heavens and it’s All powerful king in it’s own terms. It is
something absolute not to be described or tampered with. The majority of almost all the simile’s appearing thus
far describes Satan, his fellow fallen ones, and Hell. Milton shows the reader the breadth of his knowledge, which
is not to be doubted in the first place, through these similes. Milton draws upon all aspects of the world for his
similes, he selects from a plethora of classical mythological figures, biblical characters, nature, even history and
geography and some contemporary issues of the time. The simile’s are also used to somewhat ground the text,
they are not merely present for the aesthetic aspect, relating it to the world of it’s readers, giving the readers a
context ensuring them that heaven and hell are always with us, and that this is very relevant to the reader, so
Milton had the reader in mind when devising these similes. Through the use of similes describing Satan, we are
able to see that all the images likened to Satan are always in a state of constant change, whether it be a hoard of
insects or a moving ship, there is always an impression of motion and change. Satan is in a constant state of
fluctuation in comparison to the steadfast and omni...
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