Explain the Vallambrosa simile - Paradise Lost Book 1 - The Uncovered English

Paradise Lost Book - I

John Milton

Explain the Vallambrosa simile.

In Vallombrosa simile which occurs in lines 301 - 304 of Paradise Lost Book 1, the fallen angels are compared to autumnal leaves:

"... Who lay intranced
Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks
In Vallombtosa, where the Etrurian shades
High over - arched embower;"

The word Vallombrosa is derived from Latin 'Valles Umbrosi" which means shady valley. It is a name of a beautiful valley about 18 miles east of Florence where Milton Passed. The fallen angels floated thickly in confusion on the surface of the lake. They looked like the autumnal leaves that fall and lie scattered on the streams in the shady valley of Vallombrosa where shady Tuscan trees from bowers with their high branches arching overhead. These leaves choke the brooks as the fallen angels cover the surface of the burning lake.

The autumnal leaves are appropriate to the fallen angels because their glory is withered like the leaves. Moreover, "There is greater comcreteness and precision in Milton's description, deriving perhaps from his actual experience. The hopelessness and helplessness of the host of fallen angels are also implied

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