Question
What is the significance of Milton’s invocation in ‘Paradise Lost’?
Answer
The invocation in John Milton’s “Paradise Lost” serves as a crucial element that sets the tone and framework for the epic. It is significant for its bold claim of divine inspiration and its role in guiding the narrative and thematic structure of the poem.
Poetic pride and humility: The invocation begins with a bold claim of divine inspiration, which can be seen as poetic pride or hubris. However, throughout the poem, there is a progression towards humility, reflecting Milton’s message of patience and heroic martyrdom (Sunwoo, 2004).
Narrative and thematic guidance: The invocations are pivotal in marking major shifts within the epic and defining the epic voice. They guide the narrative and thematic exploration of authority, empowerment, and the cosmic order, as seen through the actions and words of characters like Satan, the angels, and Adam and Eve (Sarkar, 2012).
Structural and inspirational framework: Milton uses the invocations to coordinate the poem’s inspiration and design, drawing on Neoplatonic ideas of inspiration. This structure is essential to the poem’s exploration of divine themes and the human condition (Fixler, 1977).
Engagement with biblical and literary allusions: The invocation is rich with biblical and literary allusions, setting the stage for the epic’s exploration of creation, fall, and redemption. It invites readers to engage deeply with the text’s complex themes and allusions (Chattopadhyay, 2017).
Milton’s invocation in “Paradise Lost” is significant for its dual role in asserting poetic ambition and guiding the epic’s narrative and thematic exploration. It balances pride with humility and serves as a structural and inspirational framework that enriches the poem’s engagement with profound theological and philosophical questions.
References
Sunwoo, J., 2004. Poetic Hubris as Knowing Transgression in the Invocations of Milton’s Paradise Lost. **, 14, pp. 143-154.
Sarkar, M., 2012. Invocations: Milton as Moses. **, pp. 21-42. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137007001_2
Chattopadhyay, S., 2017. Glossing ‘Of’& ‘man’ in the Invocation of Paradise Lost and the Gothic mode.. **.
Fixler, M., 1977. Plato’s Four Furors and the Real Structure of Paradise Lost. PMLA/Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, 92, pp. 952 – 962. https://doi.org/10.2307/461848
