Literary Terms and Vocab: Define the poetic device, "Apostrophe," and give an example from Paradise Lost. Define the word "Subversive" and put it into a meaningful sentence.

In poetry, an apostrophe is a term used when a speaker directly addresses someone or something that isn't present in the poem. The speaker could be addressing an abstract concept like love, a person (dead or alive), a place, or even a thing, like the sun or the sea.

"Hail holy Light, offspring of Heav'n firstborn,
Or of th' Eternal coeternal beam
May I express thee unblamed?"(PL Book III, Ln. 1-3)



Something that is subversive is something that creates trouble or tries to overthrow the ruling power.

Satan's subversive intent cannot allow him to do anything but corrupt God's creating and try to overthrow His power.