Abdiel
Also known as: Seraph · Family: Heaven · Role: seraph · First appears: Book 5
In Book V, Abdiel worships God and publicly rejects Satan’s rebellion, defending God’s decree that the Son be King. He leaves the rebellious host despite its hostility, remaining loyal to God.
In Book VI, Abdiel strikes Satan so forcefully that he recoils and falls to one knee. He also overthrows Ariel, Arioch, and Ramiel in battle.
Relationship record
Life events
- Abdiel publicly rejects Satan’s rebellion and defends God’s decree appointing Son as King.(Book5 · 📍 Heaven)
- “O argument blasphemous, false, and proud! Words which no ear ever to hear in Heaven Expected, least of all from thee, Ingrate, In place thyself so high above thy peers. Canst thou with impious obloquy condemn The just decree of God, pronounced and sworn, That to his only Son, by right endued With regal scepter, every soul in Heaven Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due Confess him rightful King?”
- Abdiel leaves the rebellious host, remaining loyal despite their hostility.(Book5)
- “From amidst them forth he passed, Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained Superiour, nor of violence feared aught; And, with retorted scorn, his back he turned On those proud towers to swift destruction doomed.”
- Abdiel strikes Satan and forces him backward onto one knee.(Book6 · 📍 Heaven)
- With: Satan
- “So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high, Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell On the proud crest of Satan, that no sight, Nor motion of swift thought, less could his shield, Such ruin intercept: Ten paces huge He back recoiled; the tenth on bended knee His massy spear upstaid”
- Heaven’s commanders defeat Moloch, Adramelech, Asmadai, Ariel, Arioch, and Ramiel in battle.(Book6 · 📍 Heaven)
- With: Gabriel Moloch Uriel Raphael Adramelech Asmadai Ariel Arioch Ramiel
- “Mean while in other parts like deeds deserved Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought, And with fierce ensigns pierced the deep array Of Moloch, furious king; who him defied, And at his chariot-wheels to drag him bound Threatened, nor from the Holy One of Heaven Refrained his tongue blasphemous; but anon Down cloven to the waist, with shattered arms And uncouth pain fled bellowing. On each wing Uriel, and Raphael, his vaunting foe, Though huge, and in a rock of diamond armed, Vanquished Adramelech, and Asmadai, Two potent Thrones, that to be less than Gods Disdained, but meaner thoughts learned in their flight, Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and mail. Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence Of Ramiel scorched and blasted, overthrew.”
Book 5
- deity: God “Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal adored / The Deity, and divine commands obeyed”
- enemies with Satan “Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe / The current of his fury thus opposed.”
Book 6
- enemies with Satan “Abdiel that sight endured not, where he stood / Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds, / ... / So pondering, and from his armed peers / Forth stepping opposite, half-way he met / His daring foe”
- enemies with Ariel “Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy / The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow / Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence / Of Ramiel scorched and blasted, overthrew.”
- enemies with Arioch “Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy / The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow / Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence / Of Ramiel scorched and blasted, overthrew.”
- enemies with Ramiel “Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy / The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow / Ariel, and Arioch, and the violence / Of Ramiel scorched and blasted, overthrew.”
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Extracted from the original text of Paradise Lost. Made with Rho MD.