What literary device is heavily utilized in John Milton's "Paradise Lost"?

In John Milton's "Paradise Lost," the use of epic simile is a prominent literary device that he employs to enhance the poem's grandeur and emotional depth. An epic simile extends a comparison between two things, often offering vivid descriptions that create a more powerful visualization for the reader. Milton's intricate and extended comparisons serve to elevate the narrative, providing readers with a clearer understanding of characters' emotions and actions while also adding richness to the text.

For instance, throughout "Paradise Lost," Milton draws complex parallels that not only enhance the story's mythic quality but also contribute to its thematic depth regarding divinity, humanity, and the cosmos. This device aligns with the epic tradition, where such comparisons are often used to enrich the storytelling experience, setting "Paradise Lost" apart as a sophisticated work of literature within the epic genre.

While allegory, imagery, and alliteration are also significant in "Paradise Lost," they do not serve the same central narrative function as the epic simile does in creating a layered and impactful reading experience.