John Milton, Paradise Lost
Gabriel in Paradise Lost
Gabriel commands the angelic guards at the rocky entrance of Paradise. Uriel brings him the warning of an intruder whose disguise has concealed an infernal origin. He divides the watch into circuits and sends Ithuriel and Zephon to search the garden, especially the resting place of Adam and Eve. Guarding requires both a perimeter and attention to the household within it.
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryGabriel commands the angelic guards at the rocky entrance of Paradise. Uriel brings him the warning of an intruder whose disguise has concealed an infernal origin.
Further detail
LiteraryHe divides the watch into circuits and sends Ithuriel and Zephon to search the garden, especially the resting place of Adam and Eve. Guarding requires both a perimeter and attention to the household within it.
Context & interpretation
This entry concerns Gabriel’s watch in Milton’s Eden narrative. His commands and garden duties belong to this poem, distinct from annunciation accounts and other religious portrayals of Gabriel.
Original passages
Source 1
Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré
Chief of the angelic guardsOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Milton, Paradise Lost, active reader leaf 121
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0115-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0115-E001-P0121
- Original scan leaf
- 122
- Recorded leaf number
- 122
- Current Reader position
- 117
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré
leave unsearched no nookOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Milton, Paradise Lost, active reader leaf 130
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0115-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0115-E001-P0130
- Original scan leaf
- 131
- Recorded leaf number
- 131
- Current Reader position
- 126
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Ithuriel
The searching angel whose spear reveals Satan’s true shape beside the sleeping Eve.
Same subject and traditionAbdiel
The solitary seraph who refuses the rebellion and returns through hostile scorn.
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.