Appellations

Appellations

Imagine life without having names for everything us people use in our society today. I believe that life would have never gotten this far and technologically advance if not for names. The Naming of all things in life set forth a certain meaning and purpose to someone or something. Without names everyone would be irrational and distraught, name set the world spinning and life advancing through history. In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, he demonstrates that all thing spiritual and non spiritual have and will acquire names. Everything that has been label as something has a particular meaning behind the reasoning of the name.

The word less commonly used for naming things is Appellation. An Appellation is just another way of saying name calling in which Milton demonstrates numerously in Paradise Lost. In book one of Miltons journey of Paradise lost the character of Lucifer is introduced as angel. Originally Lucifer was one of Gods angel in heaven who led his followers in a war against God. God cast Lucifer and his legions from heaven and he ultimately sent with them to hell. “To whom th' Arch-Enemy,And thence in Heaven called Satan, with bold words Breaking the horrid silence, thus began:-- "If thou beest he--but O how fallen! how changed From him who, in the happy realms of light (I.82-85).” While basting in hells heat thus deemed the name more commonly know Satan. The meaning of Satan is stated to mean enemy, which is more than fitting for his personality. Thirst for revenge led him to cause man's downfall by turning into a serpent and tempting Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. The name Lucifer is said to mean bringer of light “light bearer”.

In Book one of Milton’s most famous work Paradise lost there is a section called the catalogue of the fallen angels. In this portion of the book, the catalogue is a means for Milton to list many of the fallen angels as well as a way to account for many of the gods in pagan religion. The Fallen Angels were Satan’s followers and originally the ones among the angels who rebelled from God. First to be named out of the angels was Moloch.

Moloch, horrid King besmear'd with blood

Of human sacrifice, and parents tears,

Though for the noyse of Drums and Timbrels loud

Thir childrens cries unheard, that past through fire

To his grim Idol (1.392-5).

The Hell ridden name of Moloch means king; he received this name by becoming an idolized angel that was worship by most Israelites. As Sacrifices the Israelites would make offerings of children to worship Moloch. God sent him down to the depths of hell with Satan as a fallen angel. A rash, irrational, and murderous devil he is called. Moloch argues in Pandemonium that the devils should engage in another full war against God and his servant angels.

One of the more prominent angels throughout the story is the one of Satans followers by the name of Belial. It is said that the name Belial came from the Hebrew language and means “worthless”. Belial is often referred to as the antonym of Satan but here offered as a separate devil by himself.

Belial came last, then whom a Spirit more lewd

Fell not from Heaven, or more gross to love

Vice for it self: To him no Temple stood

Or Altar smoak'd; yet who more oft then hee

In Temples and at Altars, when the Priest turns Atheist (1.490-494).

Belial, A fallen angel who speaks second during the demons plan to over throw God. He says God is too powerful to oppose and they should wait for his blessing and mercy. His graceful manner conceals a vice-ridden soul as the story progresses Belial becomes more “patriotic” to Gods will.

While all names are considered to be persuasive because they name a role taken place in life of each individual. All of the angels that plummeted down to hell have stories behind the names in which they are called but most importantly a sense of being. The most important of the fallen angels Beelzebub, which is Satans “right hand man” or chief supporter.