Simile is a literary device which is a comparison between two different things.

The
epic Simile is generally a long comparison of an event, object or person with
something essentially different.

John Milton’s Paradise Lost is an epic poem that describes the fall of Satan and the
expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. John Milton retains the tradition of using
epic similes in his famous epic ‘Paradise Lost’. These types of similes are used as a
part of ornamentation of the poem. We can see that Milton describes Satan with the
help of an epic simile:
i.) The body of the stupefied Satan sprawling on the fiery water of hell has been
compared to a gigantic whale-like sea-monster called Leviathan . It is a highly
elaborated and decorative simile to give the impression of the gigantic size and the
deceptive nature of Satan.

ii.) The shield of Satan has been compared to the shape, size and brilliance of a
magnified moon seen through the telescope of Galileo. The Comparison helps to form
an idea of the magnificence of Satan's shield.

iii.)The countless hosts of fallen angels have been compared to the autumnal leaves
in Vallombrosa in Italy. The masses of the fallen angels have been compared to the
carpet like dry fallen leaves of autumn that covers the whole forest in the form of
carpets.
iv.)The masses of the fallen angels have also been compared to the numberless hosts
of pharaoh.
v.)They have also been compared to the swarms of the locusts which Keep flying with
the wind coming from the Red-Sea covering the sky like dark clouds.
vi.) The face of Satan is compared to the eclipsed sun to indicate the destructive fall of
Satan. Satan's body has also been compared to a tower to give the reader the
impression of the magnificence of Satan's figure.
vii.) The miraculous construction of Pandemonium has been compared to the
miraculous construction of the mythical events.
Viii.) They have also been compared to the fairy elves of Teutonic mythology who are
believed to come out in bands on summer moon-lit-nights to dance in the meadows
and woods.
Thus, Milton has drawn his similes from ancient civilisations, mythology, nature,
science, astrology, astronomy and from the Bible. He can quote from any sources for
the sake of his similes. Milton's competence in elaborating his similes deeply
impresses his readers.