How many names of Satan can Milton come up with? John Milton’s Mastery of Words

By Elizabeth Prata

This summer for my chosen classic to read, I picked Paradise Lost, first published in 1667. I had seen that a new edition was out in a gorgeous binding, with notes, AND Gustave Dore’s illustrations (even better, lightly edited to cover nudity.) I was immediately thrilled, and I bought the book. It’s the Paradise Lost Legacy Edition by Lithos Kids, in a fabulous binding and cover. It’s so beautiful. Here is what it looks like: photos from Lithos Kids-

Author John Milton’s use of language is genius. He can describe the celestial realms movingly and with just enough detail so the imagination catches its edges but vague enough because no one knows what the heavenly throne room looks like apart from the few glimpses in scripture. Milton’s descriptions of Eden contain enough detail to ground us but vague enough to evoke a pleasant and relaxing lushness… It’s a wonder how he maintains this balance.

It’s the same with his descriptions of the parallel in hell with satan mounting his throne there and evilly plotting with his fallen cohorts how to regain heaven. Milton’s speeches between the angels holy and unholy, God’s pronouncement of His Son as heir, Adam’s comfort to Eve all use words and evoke images that are either thrilling to the spirit, or incite dread (the hellish realms…). I’m just amazed.

As I go through the book, and I’m halfway now, on Book 6, Milton uses extremely inventive names for satan. Here are two I saw just from yesterday’s reading,

Seditious Angel, Proud Aspirer.

I have noticed the names as I’ve read along in Books 1-5, but I didn’t note them. However, this blogger did–

Author of All Ill
the Grisly King
Infernal Serpent
Arch Enemy
Apostate Angel
Arch Fiend
Satan
Lost Archangel
Superior Fiend
Author of All Ill
Matchless Chief
Antagonist of Heav’n
Hell’s Dread Emperor
Adversary of God and Man
Flying Fiend
Undaunted Fiend
Traitor Angel
False Fugitive
Hellish Pest
Subtle Fiend
Wary Fiend
Mighty Leading Angel
Adversary
Fiend
Devil
False Dissembler
Fraudulent Imposter Foul
Arch Felon
First Grand Thief
Grisly King
Prince of Hell
Sly Hypocrite
Lucifer
Grand Foe
Tempter
Prince of Darkness
Antagonist of Heav’n’s Almighty King
Adversary Serpent
Prince of Air.

Milton’s favorite name to call satan is Fiend. I love that word. I don’t think we use it enough. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “devil, demon, “a person of great wickedness or maliciousness”.

Prior to buying the Lithos Kids edition of Paradise Lost I also happened to own Leland Ryken’s study guide. Ryken has studied Milton for decades and is quite familiar with the genre of Epic that Paradise Lost is. The study guide is helpful. It is part of the Christian Guides to the Classics. It’s just 96 pages.

So, that is my reading update for the moment. I hope summertime affords you some time to read anything or everything from magazines to beach reads to strenuous classics, and everything in between. The point is, to read! Your Bible of course but other texts too. Enjoy!