Imagery

Imagery is the use of visually figurative or descriptive languages to symbolize objects and ideas.  Imagery uses certain words to generate a visual depiction in our minds.  In order to be effective in literary work, imagery  needs to be used in conjunction with similes, metaphors, and symbolism.  A crucial part of literature is imagery, it is especially important in poetry.”

An example of imagery in Paradise Lost is Milton’s description of Hell through Satan’s point of view.

“At once, as far as Angels ken, he views

the dismal situation waste and wild

A dungeon horrible, on all sides round,

As one great furnace flamed: yet from those flames

No light: but rather darkness visible

Served only to discover sights of woe”

The words dungeon and flames visual images that help the reader create a picture in their mind about Hell.

Resources

“Imagery.”  Literary Devices: Definition and Examples of Literary Terms.                                      https://literarydevices.net/imagery/.  Accessed 12 Feb 2018.

Luxon, Thomas H.  The John Milton Reading Room Paradise Lost.  Dartmouth College.

https://dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/contents/text.shtml.  Accessed 12 Feb 2018.