Abstract
The present study throws a new light on the semantics of encoded color terms in John Milton’s epic Paradise Lost. Color terms in Milton’s magnificent poem are not examined individually, but in word combinations, particularly alongside with nouns and adjectives. The range of color terms is not very extensive as the study entails only the spectral colors, such as red, blue, and the achromatic ones, such as white and black. These four colors develop a particular range of symbolic meanings with religious connotations which remain absent in other color terms. However, the analysis of color lexicon requires considerable knowledge of various scientific subjects, hence, the study adopts an interdisciplinary approach as evidence on the meaning of color terms is obtained from literature, theology as well as cognitive science. Distinct color terms, the symbolic meaning of which is of religious origin, bear distinct connotative meanings, which help to reveal Milton’s religious convictions. The findings of the study reveal that color vocabulary is structured into two concepts, namely of light and darkness. In Paradise Lost, black fire is disastrous and portrayed as a symbol of hell. Black bituminous gurge refers to the dark abyss, the place where Satan’s angels were imprisoned. Milton represents death as a black attendant, whereas the God is portrayed with a radiant glowing white light. The blue firmament refers to heaven, the dwelling place of God. The Red Sea is a sign of danger and blood, whilst celestial rosy red is a symbol of love. Red right hand signifies violent anger and pertains to the punishing hand of God. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.sal.0.23.5506
Highlights
Color is a subject that has attracted considerable and deep interest since prehistoric times, namely beginning with early cave paintings
There is no question of studying color terms in the poem without any reference to other disciplines such as cognitive science as the meaning of color vocabulary is extended from the prototype
Consider the following lines where the black bituminous gurge refers to the dark abyss, the place where Satan’s angels were imprisoned when they were expelled from heaven: “With him or under him to tyrannize Marching from Eden towards the west, shall find The plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge Boils out from under ground, the mouth of Hell”
Summary
Color is a subject that has attracted considerable and deep interest since prehistoric times, namely beginning with early cave paintings. Roman and Greek poets used color terms for symbolic purposes. In the Iliad and the Odyssey, Homer describes the sky as being bronze and a dark blue sea as wine-dark. In his poems, one can come across an apparent reference to blue hair and green honey. He postulated four main colors, i.e. white, black, red and yellow, which corresponded to fire, water, earth and air The Greek philosopher Xenophanes believed that the rainbow contained only purple, red and yellow colors. One can come to a conclusion that Homer and Ancient Greek philosophers were not fully aware of the whole color spectrum
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