John Milton’s Pandemonium in "Paradise Lost" Book I : The Capital of Hell

Pandemonium: The Infernal Marvel of Milton's Creation

The pandemonium is that creation in hell designed for infernal conclaves which would rival in its splendor the greatest of human creations and perhaps even divine architecture. It is a word formed by the union of two Greek words, pan, all, and daemon, demon, but the compound word did not exist in the Greek vocabulary, and Milton formed it out the analogy of ‘pantheon’, the abode of the gods. The pantheon at Rome was a temple containing statues of all the gods. Milton’s pandemonium is the capital of Hell built to receive all the devils. The coinages of Milton have gained currency in the English, the common noun being used to express a place full of tumultuous voice, confusion and discord.

John Milton

Pandemonium's Dark Dominion: Mammon's Descent and Satan's Inspiring Brigade

The Pandemonium  is situated in a corner of Hell, a dreadful dungeon of 'darkness visible', a punishment by God for the rebellion of Satan and the fallen angels in heaven. Just after Satan's inspiring words in his fifth and final speech, 'a numerous brigade' hastens to a hill 'where grisly top/belched fire and rolling smoke'. The brigade is compared to 'pioneers' in an army who advance before the king or commander to prepare a camp. Mammon, described as 'the least erected' among the fallen spirits, always has a downward gaze, even in heaven where he admired the trodden gold that made up heaven's pavement. This stooped posture also reflects his moral nature, suggesting a base and scheming spirit. (An upright posture signifies lofty thoughts, while a downward gaze suggests deceitfulness.) Mammon is denied the 'vision beatific', a theological term for the blissful sight of God.

The Mythical Architects: Exploring Mammon and Mulciber in Milton's Epic Universe

‘Mammon’ is a archaic word meaning ‘wealth’, and this name is used both by Matthew and by Spenser in Faerie Queene, though there does not seem to have been any god called Mammon worshiped by the nations bordering on the territory of the Israelite.] But later Milton uses the name of another architect, Mulciber. Muliciber is a surname of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire who was identified with the Greek Hephaestus. Milton describes how he was thrown over the crystal battlements of heaven by an angry Jove, and how he continued to fall for an entire day until he landed on the Aegean isle.] [Milton points out that the Greek and Roman legends about Hephaestus or Vulcan being cast out by Zeus or Jupiter were wrong, and that he was really a rebel angel cast out by God along with the other angels]. 

Soon the crew, working under Mammon, began to dig the centre of the earth for hidden minerals. They opened up the volcanic hill which was covered with a glossy scurf indicating that the metallic are of sulphur was concealed within They dugout veins of gold, while a second group sluiced liquid fire from the lake of fire to help in the construction. A yet third group used the fire to melt the ‘messy ore’ and separate each kind, taking special care to extract ‘bullion’ on solid gold.

             Pandemonium is a miraculously produced marvelous creation:

                                       And here let those

           Who boast in mortal things, and wondering tell

          Of Babel, and the work of Memphian kings,

         Learn how their greatest monument of fame,

         And strength, and art, are easily out done

        By spirits reprobate -- - - - - -  - -

The Majestic Marvel: The Spectacular Creation of Grandeur and Luxury

If the Egyptian pyramids had taken 3,60,000 men twenty years to construct, they are able to create a greater architectural marvel in an hour. Milton uses an epic simile to describe how the huge fabric ‘Rose like an exhalation’ likes a note being produced by the wind in a musical organ. It was accompanied by ‘dulcet symphonies and voices sweet’. It was built like a temple and was decorated with numerous architectural designs: architraves, Doric pillars, cornice, frizz and embossed sculpture. The roof was made of gold, and the building was of a stately height. The structure was so massive as to have huge brass doors which, when opened, revealed a pale space and level pavement. The miracle of rare device was lit by rows of starry lamps and cressets which hung from the arched roof by ‘subtle magic’ since there were no supports, and which were fueled by naphtha and asphaltus. Milton declares that neither Babylon, nor could great Alcaero boast of such wealth and luxury, such splendor and magnificence.

Conclusion

 John Milton's portrayal of Pandemonium in Paradise Lost leaves an indelible impression on readers. It is a vivid symbol of rebellion, ambition, and the consequences of pride. Milton's masterful description captivates our imagination and reinforces the timeless themes explored in his epic masterpiece. Thus, Pandemonium, ‘the high capital of Satan and his peers’ is both itself architectural and the product of a miracle. Yet Milton presents such magnificence as inimical, and does this not merely because it is inhabited by the rebel angels but perhaps also because the puritan in him militated against such vain splendor. 

 Key Points Discussed Here:

👉Pandemonium: Milton's imaginative creation, the capital city of Hell, represents chaos and discord. It is a place where fallen angels gather to discuss their plans and challenge the authority of God.

👉Architectural Marvel: Pandemonium is described as an architectural marvel with its intricate and grand design. It showcases Milton's vivid imagination in constructing a city that reflects the fallen angels' rebellion and their desire for power.

👉Symbolic Significance: Pandemonium symbolizes the ambition, pride, and defiance of the fallen angels. It represents their attempt to create an alternative order and establish their own dominion, defying the divine hierarchy set by God.

👉Political Assembly: Pandemonium serves as a political assembly where the fallen angels hold meetings and debates. It showcases their organizational skills and their desire to establish a structured society even in their fallen state.

👉Epicenter of Rebellion: Pandemonium is the epicenter of the rebellion against God's authority. It is where the fallen angels plan their strategies, assert their individuality, and challenge the heavenly hierarchy, symbolizing their defiance and quest for freedom.

👉Contrast to Paradise: Pandemonium stands in stark contrast to the serene and orderly Paradise described in the earlier parts of the epic. It highlights the stark difference between the fallen world and the divine realm.

👉Allegory of Human Ambition: Pandemonium serves as an allegory for human ambition, showcasing the consequences of pride, disobedience, and the desire for power. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rebellion and hubris.

👉Artistic Imagination: Milton's vivid and detailed description of Pandemonium showcases his artistic imagination and his ability to create vivid imagery that captivates the reader's senses, making the setting come alive.

👉Symbol of Temptation: Pandemonium can also be seen as a symbol of temptation, luring individuals with its grandeur and promises of power. It represents the allure of worldly desires that can lead one astray from the path of righteousness.

👉Foreshadowing: The presence of Pandemonium in Book I foreshadows the ongoing conflict between good and evil, setting the stage for the epic battle that unfolds in the subsequent books of Paradise Lost.

 Ardhendu De

References:

1. Paradise Lost: Book 1 (1674 version) by John. . . | Poetry Foundation. (n.d.). Poetry Foundation. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45718/paradise-lost-book-1-1674-version

2. Hunter, G. K. (1980, January 1). Paradise Lost. https://doi.org/10.1604/9780048000040

3. Paradise Lost: The Neoclassic Style | ipl.org. (n.d.). Paradise Lost: The Neoclassic Style | ipl.org. https://www.ipl.org/essay/Neoclassic-Style-And-Neoclassical-Style-PJX3QQJ2PU