Pandemonium
Pandemonium means wild noise and confusion, especially when a crowd seems out of control; it appears in John Milton’s Paradise Lost as the name of the palace where the fallen angels gather in Hell.
Where Pandemonium comes from
The palace in Hell
In Paradise Lost, Pandemonium is the great palace built for Satan and the fallen angels. Its name brings together Greek roots meaning all and demon.
After their defeat in Heaven, the fallen angels build a splendid hall in Hell. Vast numbers gather there, shrinking in size so that they can fit inside.
In Paradise Lost by John Milton
Noisy confusion today
Today, pandemonium usually means a scene of uncontrolled noise and activity, not a place in Hell. The ending of Alice’s trial offers a useful picture of this everyday meaning.
At the end of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice challenges the court, and the whole pack of cards flies up and comes down upon her. The court’s show of order collapses into confusion.
In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
How to use Pandemonium
- Use it for a scene full of noise and disorder.
- Choose it for confusion stronger than ordinary bustle.
- Use a capital letter when naming Milton’s palace.
Does pandemonium always mean something bad?
No, pandemonium can describe joyful uproar as well as frightening disorder. A crowd celebrating a victory might break into pandemonium. The word stresses noise and loss of control, rather than whether the occasion is happy or unhappy.
Is Milton’s Pandemonium the same as Hell?
No, Pandemonium is a particular palace in Hell, not the whole realm. In Paradise Lost, it provides a gathering place for the fallen angels and a setting for their council about what to do after defeat.
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