Back to results

Missouri State University

Water Imagery in Paradise Lost

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Milton brilliantly uses water imagery throughout Paradise Lost to present an orderly poem which portrays the order of God when the hierarchal authority is obeyed, and the disorder of evil when the Chain is violated. Water in itself is good, and even though it is affected by the fall of both angels and man, it finally supports restoration and renewal. In his prayers of invocation to the Muses in Books I and III, Milton wished to participate in the healing waters of the Pool of Siloam, which, as Cope notes, carried a "cure of the blind man." The blind poet prays that the Celestial Light will "Purge and disperse" "all mist" from his inner sight, put there, Milton believed, by the fall. And if the reader believes at all in prayers to Muses, he must feel after a study of Paradise Lost that Milton's petition was granted.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts in English
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
English
Year
1975

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Edwards, Twila J.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Robert Henigan

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • © Twila J Edwards

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/345
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1346

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Missouri State University
Base URL
bearworks.missouristate.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Edwards, Twila J.. Water Imagery in Paradise Lost. Masters thesis, 1975. https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/345