Monday, February 03, 2014

Illustrations of Paradise Lost 11


Michael Foretells the Crucifixion
Wiki Common
Linell Set

while Eve sleeps in the ground a winged Michael appears to tell 
Adam what is scheduled to happen, ; he's dressed like a Roman 
centurion with a soldier's spear; he's pointed up to the
Crucifixion.

Adam stands on the right looking up to the tree, which
resembles the Tree of Mystery with the Serpent
coiling up it. Sin and Death lie at the foot of the Cross.
Below Eve lies in a depression like a grave.

Eve is identified with the Earth (Matter) while
Adam looks up and identifies with Heaven.


From Paradise Lost By John Milton (by Wikisource):

Book XI
 th' Arch-Angel soon drew nigh,
Not in his shape Celestial, but as Man
240Clad to meet Man; over his lucid Armes
A militarie Vest of purple flowd
..
245His starrie Helme unbuckl'd shew'd him prime
In Manhood where Youth ended; by his side
As in a glistering Zodiac hung the Sword,
Satans dire dread, and in his hand the Spear.
Adam bowd low, hee Kingly from his State
[Michal speaking to Adam]:
In the Visions of God: It was a Hill
Of Paradise the highest, from whose top
The Hemisphere of Earth in cleerest Ken
380Stretcht out to amplest reach of prospect lay.
Not higher that Hill nor wider looking round,
Whereon for different cause the Tempter set
Our second Adam in the Wilderness,

Book XII
410To save them, not thin own, though legal works.
For this he shall live hated, be blasphemed,
Seized on by force, judged, and to death condemned
A shameful and accurst, nailed to the Cross
By his own Nation, saline for bringing Life;
415But to the Cross he nails thy Enemies,
The Law that is against thee, and the sins
Of all mankind, with him there crucified,
Never to hurt them more who rightly trust
In this his satisfaction; so he dies,
420But soon revives, Death over him no power
Shall long usurp; ere the third dawning light
Returns, the Stars of Morn shall see him rise
Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light,

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