John Milton, Paradise Lost
Abdiel
Abdiel opposes Satan’s claim and stands alone among the company being persuaded to rebel. The poem describes his loyalty as resistant to both the multitude and the examples around him. He leaves through the hostile company without yielding to scorn or fear of violence. His later confrontation gives the earlier refusal a visible place in the heavenly battle.
Loading your archive…
In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryAbdiel opposes Satan’s claim and stands alone among the company being persuaded to rebel. The poem describes his loyalty as resistant to both the multitude and the examples around him.
Further detail
LiteraryHe leaves through the hostile company without yielding to scorn or fear of violence. His later confrontation gives the earlier refusal a visible place in the heavenly battle.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows Abdiel’s refusal and first battle encounter in Milton’s poem. It does not infer an independent scriptural biography from the expanded role given to him in Paradise Lost.
Original passages
Source 1
Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré
faithful only heOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Milton, Paradise Lost, active reader leaf 168
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0115-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0115-E001-P0168
- Original scan leaf
- 169
- Recorded leaf number
- 169
- Current Reader position
- 164
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré
This greeting on thy impious crest receiveOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Milton, Paradise Lost, active reader leaf 172
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0115-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0115-E001-P0172
- Original scan leaf
- 173
- Recorded leaf number
- 173
- Current Reader position
- 168
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Illustrations
Continue exploring
Satan in Paradise Lost
The rebel whose outward journey cannot free him from the Hell he carries within.
Same subject and traditionGabriel in Paradise Lost
The guardian who organises the night watch around Eden.
Same subject and traditionIthuriel
The searching angel whose spear reveals Satan’s true shape beside the sleeping Eve.
Same subject and traditionMichael in Paradise Lost
The prince of the celestial armies whose sword first wounds Satan.
Same subject and traditionRaphael in Paradise Lost
The sociable angel who instructs the human pair through a visit and shared meal.