Write a short note on Epic Simile.
Paradise Lost Book 1 is a notable literary work by John Milton. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Paradise Lost Book 1.
Answer
Write a short note on Epic Simile.
An epic simile is a special kind of simile used in epic poems. A simile is when one thing is compared to another using the words “like” or “as.” But an epic simile is longer and more detailed than a normal simile. It does not just give a quick comparison. It explains the image fully and often uses many lines.
Epic similes are used to make the story more grand and vivid. They help the reader imagine the action clearly. These similes are found in the works of great poets like Homer, Virgil, and John Milton. In “Paradise Lost, Book 1” (1667), John Milton (1608-1674) uses many epic similes. For example, when Satan lies on the burning lake after falling from Heaven, Milton compares him to the giant sea monster Leviathan. He writes:
“Leviathan…
…hugest that swim th’ Ocean stream:
Him haply slumbring on the Norway foam
The Pilot of some small night-founder’d Skiff,
Deeming some Island…”
This epic simile compares Satan’s huge body to a great sea monster. It also shows how even a sailor could mistake Satan’s body for an island. This gives us a clear picture of Satan’s massive size and power as he lies chained on the burning lake of hell.
In fine, Milton’s epic similes make his poem more powerful. They help readers understand the emotions, the beauty, and the terror of the scenes. They are an important part of epic poetry. Milton’s epic similes exhibit his great skill as a poet.