AllusionsGroup28-2

Seraphim (n): an angelic being, regarded in traditional Christian angelology as belonging to the highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy, associated with light, ardor, and purity.

The narrator feels the air thicken as if a group of angels walking lightly across the room were swinging incense.

nepenthe (n): poetic/literary a drug described in Homer's //Odyssey// as banishing grief or trouble from a person's mind. 1. any drug or potion bringing welcome forgetfulness. 2. a plant of a genus that comprises the Old World pitcher plants. 3.Genus Nepenthesand family Nepenthaceae

Nepenthe was a potion used by the ancients to soothe pain and forget sorrow. Suddenly overcome by the ominous Raven and the dense feeling of the room and his memories, the narrator cries out for a release from the emotion and tension.

prophet (n): **1** a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God //: the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah.// • ( **the Prophet**) (among Muslims) Muhammad. • ( **the Prophet**) (among Mormons) Joseph Smith or one of his successors. • a person who advocates or speaks in a visionary way about a new belief, cause, or theory //: he was a prophet of revolutionary socialism.//
 * a person who makes or claims to be able to make predictions //: the anti-technology// **//prophets of doom//**//.//

He believes the Raven is prophet like because he will reveal the truth.

Balm of Gilead, a reference to the Book of Jeremiah (8:22) in the Bible: "Is there no balm in Gilead?” In that context, the Balm of Gilead is a resin used for medicinal purposes. It is a soothing cream, so he was wondering if he will ever get relief from his grief.

Aidenn: another word for the Garden of Eden (garden where first man and wife, Adam and Eve lived). In context, he is using the Aidenn to see if he will ever see his love, Lenore again after going to heaven.

Tempter: in Christianity, tempter is referred to as the devil. Narrator was wondering whether the Raven was sent by the devil, simply thrown into his house by a natural storm, or spirited to him by an act of God.

Tempest: very violent storm with high winds and torrential downpours.