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Similes
Definition of Soliloquy
A soliloquy is a literary device, most often found in dramas, in which a character speaks to him or herself, relating his or her innermost thoughts and feelings as if... read full definition
A soliloquy is a literary device, most often found in dramas, in which a character speaks to him or herself, relating his or her innermost... read full definition
A soliloquy is a literary device, most often found in dramas, in which a character speaks to him or herself... read full definition
Book 4
Explanation and Analysis—Satan's Misery:
In Book 4, as Satan journeys to Paradise, he experiences "many doubts with himself" (as Milton notes in his preface to the Book), which he voices in a soliloquy that features a paradox:
Nay curs'd be thou; since against his thy will
Chose freely what it now so justly rues.
Me miserable! which way shall I fly
Infinite wrath, and infinite despair?
Which way I fly is Hell; my self am Hell;
And in the lowest deep a lower deep
Still threatening to devour me opens wide,
To which the Hell I suffer seems a Heav'n.
O then at last relent: is there no place
Left for repentance, none for pardon left?
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Satan's Sighting:
In Book 4, when Satan spots Adam and Eve in Eden for the first time, he is stunned by them, and reflects on their appearances in a soliloquy:
Unlock with LitCharts A+When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood,
Scarce thus at length failed speech recovered sad.
O Hell! What do mine eyes with grief behold,
Into our room of bliss thus high advanced
Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps,
Not Spirits, yet to Heav’nly Spirits bright
Little inferior; whom my thoughts pursue
With wonder, and could love, so lively shines
In them divine resemblance, and such grace
The hand that formed them on their shape hath poured.
Related Themes:
Book 9
Explanation and Analysis—Eve's Decision:
In Book 9, Eve "muses" to herself in a soliloquy before deciding to eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, using logos to support her decision:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Great are thy virtues, doubtless, best of fruits,
Though kept from man, and worthy to be admired,
Whose taste, too long forborne, at first assay
Gave elocution to the mute, and taught
The tongue not made for speech to speak thy praise:
Thy praise he also who forbids thy use,
Conceals not from us, naming thee the Tree
Of Knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil;
Forbids us then to taste, but his forbidding
Commends thee more, while it infers the good
By thee communicated, and our want:
For good unknown, sure is not had, or had
And yet unknown, is as not had at all.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Satan's Decision:
In Book 9, shortly before tempting Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, Satan has a moment of doubt about his plan—but quickly resolves to follow through with it, expressing his decision in a soliloquy:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Thoughts, whither have ye led me, with what sweet
Compulsion thus transported to forget
What hither brought us, hate, not love, nor hope
Of Paradise for Hell, hope here to taste
Of pleasure, but all pleasure to destroy,
Save what is in destroying, other joy
To me is lost.
Related Themes:
Book 10
Explanation and Analysis—Adam's Lament:
In Book 10, Adam is grief-stricken by the consequences of his and Eve's actions, which he reflects on in a long soliloquy:
Unlock with LitCharts A+O miserable of happy! is this the end
Of this new glorious world, and me so late
The glory of that glory? who now, become
Accursed of blessèd, hide me from the face
Of God, whom to behold was then my heighth
Of happiness: yet well, if here would end
The misery; I deserved it, and would bear
My own deservings; but this will not serve;
All that I eat or drink, or shall beget,
Is propagated curse. O voice once heard
Delightfully, Increase and multiply,
Now death to hear! for what can I increase
Or multiply, but curses on my head?
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