h the ugliness of warfare. Using a converse style of syntax, Milton, in Passage B, presents Earth to be a beautiful place through his use of long, elegant sentences and many adjectives.Aside from the literal view of Paradise Lost, figurative language plays a big role in affecting the reader. In Passage A, the reader can see a heavy use of conceit referring to fire. Words such as “fiery,” “flaming” (line 10), “inextinguishable” (line 12), and “combustion” develop this extended metaphor. Also, in line 4, Milton uses onomatopoeia in describing the sound made by the arms clashing on the armour as a braying sound. Lines 5 and 6 use strong imagery to show the horror of war by describing the “madding wheels” and “brazen chariots” raging on in heaven. Milton uses many of the same techniques in Passage B. There, a conceit dealing with plants can be found. Direct references to certain plant life — the rose in line 30, the carnation in line 33, myrtle in line 25, and the “flowery plant” held by the serpent in line 47 — begin the conceit. Also in step with Passage A, Milton uses a figurative imagery in Passage B where he describes the glowing beauty of roses in lines 30-31.The final elements used by Milton to affect his readers can be classified as poetic devices; the most obvious of these in both passages is hyperbole. In Passage A, Milton builds up war to be a terrible thing. Now, obviously, it is, but Milton’s depictions (as previously described) are a bit over the top. For example, in lines 13-14 he notes that “earth had to her centre shook.” Certainly the earth does not shake during a war, although it may seem as such. This intentional exaggeration is used to draw readers to the belief that war is bad. Milton additionally uses hyperbole in Passage B as a way of making earth and Eve seem much more perfect and beautifu...
