John Milton, Paradise Lost
Michael in Paradise Lost
Michael receives command of the loyal host alongside Gabriel. The sovereign voice names him prince of celestial armies as the rebels threaten Heaven’s peace. In the single combat his sword cuts Satan’s weapon and wounds his side, giving the rebel his first experience of pain. The weapon’s origin matters more than an apparent equality of bodily power.
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In the sources
Principal account
LiteraryMichael receives command of the loyal host alongside Gabriel. The sovereign voice names him prince of celestial armies as the rebels threaten Heaven’s peace.
Further detail
LiteraryIn the single combat his sword cuts Satan’s weapon and wounds his side, giving the rebel his first experience of pain. The weapon’s origin matters more than an apparent equality of bodily power.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows Michael’s command and combat in Milton’s heavenly-war narrative. Later prophetic instruction to Adam can be expanded from further reviewed passages; it is not supplied from outside this selected evidence.
Original passages
Source 1
Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré
of celestial armies princeOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Milton, Paradise Lost, active reader leaf 170
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0115-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0115-E001-P0170
- Original scan leaf
- 171
- Recorded leaf number
- 171
- Current Reader position
- 166
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Paradise Lost: Illustrated by Gustave Doré
then Satan first knew painOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Milton, Paradise Lost, active reader leaf 182
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0115-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0115-E001-P0182
- Original scan leaf
- 183
- Recorded leaf number
- 183
- Current Reader position
- 178
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Abdiel
The solitary seraph who refuses the rebellion and returns through hostile scorn.
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 traditionRaphael in Paradise Lost
The sociable angel who instructs the human pair through a visit and shared meal.