By this point in the novel, after two trials and an education in ancient and modern
political science, this word may be thought to carry large public as well as private
associations. But in this context they are theological as well, invoking the notion
of a theodicy (from Greek theou dike), a justification of God, which is Milton's announced
purpose for Paradise Lost: that is, to "justify the ways of God to men" (I.26).