Light Association, Shaping Our Understanding

Paradise Lost

Light Association, Shaping Our Understanding

Altering an audience’s opinion is a struggle that many writers face; it is always possible, however, to unite the reader with the speaker’s position. In Paradise Lost by John Milton, the author attempted to persuade his readers into thinking that the theme of obedience to God will keep you in a blissful state and disobedience will keep you in a wretched state by the use of light in his books. God is associated with a radiant white light; while on the other hand, Satan is affiliated with a dark shady black. With this use of this contrast of symbolism of light and dark, there is a clear distinction that light is righteousness and more desired than the darkness, which is evilness and bad.

John Milton tries to connect everything religious with light. It is a sign of pleasantness and delight. For instance, Milton said, “As far remov'd from God and light of Heav'n” [1.73].This light is expressed in the same way in the Judeo-Christian traditions. In Genesis, it says, “God separated the light from the darkness" [1:4]. This light is powerful and better than the darkness and comes directly from God. The origin of light is from God and it’s an important imagery symbol in religious concepts of goodness. This quote by Milton is saying, without God there is no light. The absence of light is a place in which no one in society wishes to be in because it is what makes them see and enjoy the things around them. The absence of this light is also a symbol of God’s grace being removed. Milton took the words straight from the source, the bible.

In addition, Milton also said, “Dwell not unvisited of Heav'ns fair Light Secure, and at the brightening Orient beam” [2.299]. Heaven is a place that has intense light according to religious teachings. The light makes your feel safe not worrying about any troubles of the world. Notice how Milton uses the word “fair” to describe the light. His audience gets a tranquil feeling one in which any one would like to submit themselves to in order to achieve. Security is hard to get in the world people live in but in the heavenly light it makes you calm and peaceful. That is the message stated here. The luminescence beam of light is intoxicating and draws its reader towards this image of heaven. Milton knowing his audience is predominantly Christian, he can indulge their interest knowing very well of their desires for God. The divine light can be represented in the story of Moses when God spoke to him as a burning bush. Light is one of the greatest religious symbols a person can use because of its wide range of meanings, such as, truth, goodness, heaven, etc. For the quote above the reader can determine that light intensity can determine reverence towards God.

Moreover, the light can be viewed as something spiritual which for his audience could have related more to. For example, Milton wrote, “Heav'n, this our delight; how wearisom Eternity so spent in worship paid” [2.245]. Heaven has a radiant shine and makes people feel comfortable yearning for this goal. This light is a healing and a craving for people to work for. Knowing this, Milton further trys to expand that God is the good guy by using the word “delight.” This word choice has a deep impact on the reader by telling them what they think is good leaving no room for the reader to think “is this what I want?” People now can have an optimistic view of life knowing they have something to

look forward to. Encouraged for this physical sense of belonging, peace, and having things you desire people desire this heavenly light.

Furthermore, It is clear why the audience has this heroic sense of God and everything he does. The word choice Milton uses persuades the reader so much they can’t think for themselves. Through subliminal messages of religious teachings of society and Milton’s words no one can argue that the light is something non-desirable or that it is some thing bad. Milton’s main goal was to impose his religious views on the people and did a successful attempt persuading the audience to their levels of understanding.

To the contrary, Satan is interrelated with darkness. Hell is a dark place that is primitive and brutal. Satan is the first creation