Archangel in “Paradise Lost” - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

This clue, "Archangel in 'Paradise Lost'", is a classic example of a literary reference that tests your knowledge of canonical English literature. It requires familiarity with John Milton's epic poem, a cornerstone of the Western literary tradition. While straightforward for literature buffs, it can be a bit of a head-scratcher for others.

Clue Analysis

The clue has two distinct parts:

• "Archangel": This tells us we're looking for the name of a specific type of powerful angel.
• "in 'Paradise Lost'": This is the crucial qualifier, narrowing the field from all possible archangels to only those who appear in Milton's 1667 poem.

The solver's task is to recall the names of the key angelic figures in the poem. The most famous are Michael and Gabriel, but Milton includes others who play significant roles.

Thinking Approaches

1. Direct Recall: If you've read Paradise Lost or studied it, you might immediately cycle through the names of the angels mentioned: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and the one who guards the sun. This direct knowledge is the fastest path to the answer.

2. Educated Guessing: You can start by thinking of common archangel names. Michael? Gabriel? Raphael? If the crossing letters rule those out, you have to dig deeper. The name required has a similar Hebrew-derived structure common to angelic names (ending in '-el', meaning 'of God').

3. Relying on Crossings: This is a clue where crossing letters are your best friend if you lack the specific trivia. With a few letters in place, such as U_I_L, the name might click into place, even if you couldn't have pulled it from memory alone.

Background Context

John Milton's Paradise Lost is an epic poem that tells the biblical story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden.

The archangel in question is Uriel, whose name means "God is my light." In the poem, he is the Regent of the Sun and is considered the sharpest-sighted spirit in all of Heaven. However, in a pivotal moment, he is deceived by Satan, who disguises himself as a cherub to learn the location of Earth. Uriel, initially fooled, later realizes his mistake and warns the other angels.

While Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are more widely known, Uriel's role in Paradise Lost is significant, making him a fair subject for a crossword clue. His name is prominent in some religious traditions, particularly in Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches, and he is often associated with wisdom and illumination. You can learn more about this figure on his Wikipedia page.

Conclusion

This clue is a great test of literary knowledge. It's specific enough to be challenging but draws from a work famous enough to be considered fair game. For solvers, it's a reminder that crossword puzzles often reward a broad base of knowledge, from pop culture to classic literature.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The answer is the name of a celestial being from a famous 17th-century epic poem.
2. Hint 2: This figure is one of the seven archangels in some traditions and is known as the 'Regent of the Sun' in the poem.
3. Hint 3: The name is of Hebrew origin, meaning 'God is my light.'
4. Hint 4: The name starts with a vowel and is often associated with wisdom and prophecy.