Learner Resource 9
Sin, Death and Hell
Look at Lines 229-584
Lines 229-281: Explore the way that Milton presents Sin and Death in these lines.

How successful do you find his methods of personifying abstract qualities?
Critics like Addison and Dr Johnson have felt that they seem out of place in the world of Paradise
Lost.

Do you feel allegorical characters seem out of place in comparison to the more domestic
characterisation of Adam and Eve?

Or do you feel that their monstrous nature adds to the power of the poem?
Version 1
John Milton Paradise Lost books 9 and 10
1
Copyright © OCR 2015
Version 1
John Milton Paradise Lost books 9 and 10
2
Copyright © OCR 2015
Lines 282-324: Explore the way that Milton presents the building of the bridge over Chaos from
Hell to Earth.

Do you feel this has a symbolic function?

Do you see it as an ironic parody of God’s creation?

What impact do the classical allusions have in this section?
Version 1
John Milton Paradise Lost books 9 and 10
3
Copyright © OCR 2015
Lines 325-409: Explore the way that Milton presents Satan’s meeting with Sin and Death.

How does Milton emphasise his hubris in this section?

Is it still possible to see him as heroic here?
Lines 409-584: Explore the way Milton presents Satan’s return to hell.

What aspects of the hero can you see here?

How does he present his own exploits? Is he being honest?
Version 1
John Milton Paradise Lost books 9 and 10
4
Copyright © OCR 2015
Lines 504-584: In Milton’s narrative Satan and his followers metamorphose into serpents. Some
critics have felt that this transformation presents God’s as a spiteful magician. How do you react?

Do you find justice or vengeance in this moment?
Extension work, A level: Satan meets his judgement here. Do you find the moment satisfying?

Compare the way this punishment is presented with the way punishments are presented
in your drama text.
Version 1
John Milton Paradise Lost books 9 and 10
5
Copyright © OCR 2015
Extension work, A level: Writers often create characters to be representations of ideas or
attitudes.

Compare the way Milton uses Sin and Death in this way to characters that seem symbolic
to you in your drama text.
OCR Resources: the small print
OCR’s resources are provided to support the teaching of OCR specifications, but in no way constitute an endorsed teaching method that is required by the Board, and the decision to use them
lies with the individual teacher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content, OCR cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions within these resources.
© OCR 2015 - This resource may be freely copied and distributed, as long as the OCR logo and this message remain intact and OCR is acknowledged as the originator of this work.
OCR acknowledges the use of the following content:
Please get in touch if you want to discuss the accessibility of resources we offer to support delivery of our qualifications: resources.feedback@ocr.org.uk
Version 1
John Milton Paradise Lost books 9 and 10
6
Copyright © OCR 2015