Question: Give a description of hell with reference to Paradise Lost Book-1.
Introduction
In “Paradise Lost”, Milton (1608-1674) gives a vivid and effective picture of Hell. Hell is a place of torment which evokes the quality of sinister wilderness. The poet describes the spiritual and physical Hell in his great epic with philosophic and religious ideas.
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The spiritual or abstract Hell
As we know that Hell is invisible to human eyes, but this lack of visual clarity enhances the poet’s spontaneous power in calculating spiritual Hell. We realize that Hell is a state of mind as well as a place since it is evident from Satan’s speech:
“A mind not to be changed by place or times
The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a
Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven”.
From this motivational speech of Satan, Hell has no limits. It is not fixed in a single place. The place where the evil spirits dwell and evil thoughts exist is Hell. How accurate Milton is in his description of Hell.
Physical or concrete Hell
Milton does not make Hell formless even though he does not indicate its size or degree of heat. He presents the abstract as concrete. He uses striking images drawn from different sources to focus our attention on fire. Terms such as ‘dry land’, ‘burning lake’, gate, etc. contribute to the technique of making the abstract into the concrete. The sea and the land exist, and precious metals are purified from its soil and are used in the construction of Pandemonium. It paints an environment of busy planning around life that is always powerful.
World of horrors
In the opening scene of “Paradise Lost”, Satan raises his head with tonic pain. He can understand that he has fallen into the situation of waste and wild. It is the infernal world of horrors. The place resembles a burning dungeon. But the flames give no light. Just thick darkness prevails everywhere. There is only never-ending torture since there is no release for the fallen angels. They have fallen into a fiery gulf. The ocean of fire spreads over. The is constantly afflicted with floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire and the place is compared to a volcano.
Place of stark hopelessness
The hopelessness of Hell is an important feature to note. Hope is totally absent. Man can bear suffering and pain partly because of hope. The fallen angels have brought hell upon themselves violating God. They find themselves domiciled in a volcano. And they have to face it forever. The dry land is a solid fire just as the lake of liquid fire. What is left is a burnt surface at the bottom all wrapped up in smoke and foul smell. Thus, Hell is a place of ceaseless frustration with heavy punishment.
Far from Heavenly light
Milton in his description of Hell in lines 59-75 makes of the medieval notion of Hell. This is a place of sorrowful darkness where the damned are deprived of the sight of God. The greatest punishment is to be deprived of the beatific vision and to be immersed in eternal despair. So, Hell is a place far from the light of heaven and the difference between the two places is clearly suggested by the poet:
“Oh how unlike the place from which they have fallen.”
The capital of Hell
The capital of hell called Pandemonium is an allegory for producing evil plans against mankind. To overcome despair, Satan hails the infernal world. He declares to encourage and soothe his comrades:
“Here we may reign secure; and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell,
Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.”
He speaks to his fellow fallen angels not to languish and despair but to resolve upon war. His words evoke a response to the sound of war, swords, and shields.
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Conclusion
After detailing, Milton’s Hell is a place of discords. His graphic description has a vehement effect. It serves his purpose of indicting the eternal torments of the fallen angels. It is a hopeless dungeon where all activity is inspired by the aim of warring against Omnipotence. Such an aim vitiates or reduces any sense of activity.
