Question

What are three epic conventions and an example for each found in "Paradise Lost"?

A. Epic hero (e.g., Satan), epic simile (e.g., comparing Satan to a lion), invocation of the Muse
B. Tragic hero (e.g., Macbeth), dramatic irony (e.g., Macbeth's unawareness of his fate), tragic flaw
C. Alliteration (e.g., "Beowulf"), stock epithets (e.g., "rosy-fingered dawn"), in medias res
D. Rhymed couplets (e.g., Shakespearean sonnets), dramatic monologue (e.g., "My Last Duchess"), foreshadowing

Answer 1

In "Paradise Lost," Milton uses epic conventions such as an unconventional epic hero (Satan), epic similes (Satan to Leviathan), and the invocation of the Muse at the beginning of the poem.

Step-by-step explanation:

Three epic conventions found in Milton's "Paradise Lost" with examples for each are:

1. Epic hero: Satan serves as the epic hero in the sense that he is the main character with a grand stature, albeit an unconventional and fallen one, leading a cause against a greater power.
2. Epic simile: Milton uses extended similes, like comparing Satan's massive size to the mythical sea-beast Leviathan. This provides the reader with vivid images and a better understanding of scale and importance.
3. Invocation of the Muse: "Paradise Lost" begins with an invocation to the Muse, as Milton calls upon divine inspiration to assist in his grandiose and serious storytelling endeavor.