When describing Satan, Milton utilizes both parallel structure and wordplay as he creates a complex depiction of the king of the underworld. Milton says:
Evil to others and, enraged, might see
How all his malice served but to bring forth
Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy shown
On man by him seduced, but on himself
Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance poured (216-220)
The parallel structure between “goodness, grace, and mercy” and “confusion, wrath, and vengeance” intrinsically links the two groups, but they are amplified by different factors. The goodness is infinite while the confusion has only been trebled, or tripled. However, while one definition of treble means to triple or to have three times as many, another definition is to consist of three parts. This repetition of three is evident in the two groupings, and it is also a cornerstone of Christianity, as the father, son, and Holy Spirit are believed to be three separate, yet somehow unified figures. This is similar to the “goodness, grace, and mercy” as well as “confusion, wrath, and vengeance” because the words are similar, yet not exactly synonyms. This works especially well with the first group of words.
Since there are two groups of words here, it is possible that the father, son, and Holy Spirit act as the third group, thus fulfilling a new group of three. This would link the negative and positive groups of words together, making them become one. This would suggest that people have both good an evil in them, a belief Milton likely held as a Puritan.
The comparison of the groupings was really clever! I can't help but wonder how the third group (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) links the other two groups together though. It seems like the third group would be more closely associated with the "infinite goodness, grace and mercy" aspects, and yet, God does promote free will, which can lead to the bad aspects of "confusion, wrath, and vengeance." So is that how they are all linked, and is it partially God's fault that there is good as well as evil?
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that these groups of words are separated from each other by one line, "On man by seduced, but on himself." "goodness, grace, and mercy" are more positive characteristics that are usually connected with God."Confusion, wrath, and vengeance" are all generally connected with the Devil. God is trying to "bring forth" good from the bad in Satan. Satan's "malice" "seduced man" but made him have confusion and wrath. In other words, Satan can persuade others to do evil, but in the end it turns on him and he feels these three emotions and he has brought them upon himself.
ReplyDeleteIt's intriguing how much you can draw from the placement of the two sets of words... yet I wonder if the more important distinction is the difference in the verbs after the words? "Shown" versus "poured" stimulates all sorts of observation regarding the nature of power dynamics (and therefore the subjectivity of moral righteousness), which seem to be at the center of Milton's narrative.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea that the first group of words is infinite whereas the second would only be "trebled". I do think that the verbs are more telling of the nature of their antecedents because "shown" seems to be an inherent quality turned outward into action eternally, and "poured" would come from a finite source that can only go so far as being tripled. But I'm not sure because I could see these words going both ways?
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