Conference Proposal: An Artist’s Perspective: How Images from the 1688 Edition of Paradise Lost Reflect Milton’s Unique Characterization (SMLA maybe?)

Since its publication, Paradise Lost has inspired artists to give form to the descriptions Milton gives. In 1688, the very first edition of Paradise Lost appeared with illustrations, one for each book and while there is debate about who the artist is, there is no doubt that the illustrations are worth analyzing in relation to the text.


In Book I, the image is an illustration of Satan and his legions. However, there are some interesting things of note in the illustration; Satan is seen as piercing the bodies of his legions who writhe in pain on the ground. There is no evidence of the chains with which they are supposed to be bound, although the lakes of fire figure in the background along with figures that appear on thrones in the distance. Satan himself is portrayed with mostly human characteristics, except for his small horns, pointed ears and wings. He seems taller than the legions at his feet, and in fact is drawn as though he towers over them. The expression on his face seems bland, with little to no emotion. Now, if you flip forward to the illustration for Book XII, there is a marked difference in how Satan is portrayed. He walks on two legs, but there is something animal to the musculature of the legs. His horns feature prominently on his head, and are much more pronounced as are the pointed ears. The artist has shaded him so that he appears darker than the rest of the picture and there is the addition of a long tail.

Analyzing these illustrations in relation to Paradise Lost is important because it provides an artist’s perspective on the changes in Satan’s character through the books, as well as highlighting the unique characteristics that Milton created in Satan. This presentation will examine the textual descriptions that Milton provides, and then compare these to the characteristics that the illustrator chose to highlight in the 1688 edition.