Here's a quiz question for anybody. What is most significant about the following passage from Book IX?

pleasing was his shape,
And lovely, never since of Serpent kind
Lovelier, not those that in Illyria chang'd [ 505 ]
Hermione and Cadmus, or the God
In Epidaurus; nor to which transformd
Ammonian Jove, or Capitoline was seen,
Hee with Olympias, this with her who bore
Scipio the highth of Rome . With tract oblique [ 510 ]
At first, as one who sought access, but feard
To interrupt, side-long he works his way.
As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought
Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind
Veres oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her Saile; [ 515 ]
So varied hee, and of his tortuous Traine
Curld many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve,

Hints: think visual, and the answer involves just 5 lines of the passage.[/i]

At first, as one who sought access, but feard
To interrupt, side-long he works his way.
As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought
Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind
Veres oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her Saile; [ 515 ]

A guess: these 5 lines describe how a serpent moves. Am I even close?

P.S. How did you ever come up with your quiz question?

You are........................................100%...........WRONG!!
BUT NICE TRY AND YOU GET A LOVELY CONSOLATION PRIZE!!!

How do I come up with anything? Quiz question courtesy of Dr. Sam Bogorad of the University of Vermont, who used the same yellowed set of lecture notes for about 30 years.

So, what is my consolation prize? Not just the clap, I hope. I can't figure your quiz and it maybe because I do not know the references in lines 505-510 -- which must be the important ones, right? As I read the passage what I do know is that Satan has taken on the shape of a beautiful serpent, who moves as snakes do in a serpentine line toward Eve and the last two lines describe how he is coiled -- tortuous train Curld (curled?) many a wanton wreath -- waiting to be seen by Eve. What am I missing?

Here is an interesting aside:

this with her who bore
Scipio the highth of Rome

This from Wikipedia:
Scipio Africanus was criticized by many in the Senate for his love of luxury and his Greek style of wearing the toga. Yet it was he and his friends who introduced the idea of formally educating women and children in Greek.

Interesting that Scipio is mentioned in the poem and in life Scipio Africanus was credited an interest in educating women.

According to a footnote that I have verses 510-514 begin with a letter that spells SATAN.

I got it! However, I must admit I did get a little help. While I was looking up all the references in the line 505-510 I hit it.

Scipio the highth of Rome . With tract oblique [ 510 ]
At first, as one who sought access, but feard
To interrupt, side-long he works his way.
As when a Ship by skilful Stearsman wrought
Nigh Rivers mouth or Foreland, where the Wind

Even more interesting to me is that each of these references (Illyria chang'd
Hermione and Cadmus, or the God In Epidaurus, Ammonian Jove, and Scipio) are positive -- not evil. All of comparisons Milton make to Satan are complimentary. Especially this one:

The God. Æsculapius, the god of healing, appeared in his temple in Epidaurus in the body of a serpent.

Milton is essential equating Satan with a god. I think Mr. Milton's poem is a celebration of the fact that Eve was brave enough to reach for that apple, bring knowledge to all of her descendants.

p.s. I hope you know you kept me up late -- didn't think I could go to bed without solving your riddle, did you?

You're very humble in acknowledging the footnote told you. Dang footnotes.

Nice touch by Milton to have the vertical SATAN mimic the upright walking of the serpent. Also, doesn't this special attention--and as you say, recognition--of Satan again bring up the question of Milton's own attraction to his villain? The other characters don't get their own acrostics. Milton had to be aware that he had created something special.

I'm not that good at interpreting facial expressions, Penelope!

Sorry - DWill/Saffron

It's just an embarrassed face. I posted a message, then thought better of it, so deleated it and just left a blush....a bit like the Cheshire Cat.

It wasn't a rude post!! Just silly.

Love Pen
x

Now I'm curious, Penny!