Satan In Paradise Lost example essay topic

a. John Milton's Paradise Lost contains many instances of ironic parodies between Heaven and Hell, as well as God and Satan. While Hell is seen as the antithesis of Heaven, it is also the counterfeit embodiment of all the perfect values, which Heaven represents. It is the falsely constructed "other" of an authentic Heaven and consists of similar structures and elements that superficially resemble Heaven. God is the supreme ruler of Heaven, the omnipotent and omniscient God who sees and knows all. On the other hand Satan is the juxtaposition of God, the misconstrued "other" who reigns in Hell.

Milton's portrayal of Paradise Lost has been widely debated among critics of his own views toward the political and social ideology of his times. At times Paradise Lost becomes a compromise between Milton's own theology and his responses to the events occurring within the political climate of his country. The voice of Satan and the picture of Hell is an interesting vehicle for evaluating Milton's agenda for Paradise Lost. Hence in this essay, I shall attempt to analyse Milton's intentions for doing so. Hell is saturated with darkness and the 'mournful gloom' and 'horrors'.

It is the zenith of the universe below the unorganized chasms of Chaos and Night that separates Heaven from Hell. There is 'no light, but rather, darkness visible' a juxtaposition of the pure 'celestial light' in Heaven, where the darkness is so pure and so strong that it is actually "visible". In Hell there is a capital, Pandemonium, where the demons had built a palace and a throne where Satan reigns. Ironically it mirrors the perfect image of God's throne shinning with the perfect light from Heaven.

The similarities continue more vividly with the structure of Hell being compared with Heaven. The hierarchy in Heaven where God, the Son and the Holy Spirit sits at the top is characterized by the counterfeit representation of Satan, his daughter Sin and their incestuous offspring Death in an attempt to imitate the holy trinity. Below God and the Son are the angels, of whom the archangels are those closest to God. They are Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel and then there are the other choir of angels such as Seraphim, Cherubim and the Thrones. Similarly there is a council of demons that preside in Hell and echo the closeness to Satan as the archangels to God. These demons are the chief demons under Satan namely Beelzebub, Belial, Moloch and Mammon and under them.

However the similarities are only superficial, because everything in Hell only appears to be similar to Heaven but in essence nothing in Hell is real or tangible. The hierarchy in Heaven is real and all the angels have specific functions in relation to God. In Hell, the hierarchy is not a real arrangement based on superiority and inferiority. Satan has taken control and the fallen angels are essentially the same, especially when they eventually turn into snakes and their powers in the universe and in Hell will vanish.

At a glance Hell may seem strikingly similar to Heaven, however at a closer examination one can tell that Hell is not simply a place for dwelling but a psychological institution as well. It is not just a place but a series of images which fluctuates constantly, just as Satan concludes in his soliloquy in Book IV, 'Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell. ' Hell here is seen as a spiritual state, an internalized condition that plagues Satan that he declares is 'miserable' filled with 'infinite wrath and infinite despair. ' To the undiscerning audience one might probably be moved to empathy for the almost repentant Satan and his eloquence delivered through his soliloquy. Yet this effect is simply another series of images like Hell where Satan can easily fluctuate from, just as he changes into a serpent to tempt Eve and when he disguises himself as a 'stripling Cherub' in Book.

These fluctuating changes create a fragmented and conflicted Satan, which like Hell is never tangible and never stable. Milton does however create a very artistic portrayal of Satan, at times almost making him heroic. Satans's heroic speech to counter God and summon all his fallen angels that they can 'make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n' is reminiscent of a politician who rouses the public and his party with his charisma. Satan champions for freedom and to be free from God the 'Almighty' to be 'secure' in a place where it is 'Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heav'n'.

This depiction of Satan does conjure a Promethean image of Satan, pitting himself against an unjust and tyrannical God. Except in this case Satan only appears to be heroic, in truth he is only furthering his own interests and personal glory, he would have stolen the fire to protect himself rather than Mankind. Satan is also a comic figure in certain ways, mainly because God gave his powers to him and it is no secret that he is challenging an omnipotent foe that can easily defeat him. Yet his eloquence in his soliloquy in Book IV makes audience feel compassionate for him. Satan asks rhetorically if 'is there no place Left for repentance, none for pardon left?'. This soliloquy illustrates Satan's ability to manipulate compassion and emotions from readers and certainly paints himself as a tragic hero.

Because he makes himself sound repentant, he is able to manipulate pity and empathy from readers. It also shows how he could have easily manipulated Eve to taking the forbidden fruit eventually. Of course it all boils down to however changing Satan can be, and his fragmented character that follows his agenda. Most of Paradise Lost centers on the appearance versus reality effect. Everything you see is only superficially real, just like the Hell that seems like Dante's place of torment but transforms readily into fun and games between the demons.

Satan's character would be the biggest deception then, all his heroic declarations to break 'free' from God's seemingly stern tyranny only sets to further his own interests. Disobedience is an important theme within Paradise Lost and Satan's breaking away from God as well as Adam and Eve's disobedience leads to a breakdown of hierarchical or social order with disastrous consequences. Some critics have argued that Milton contradicted himself in his writing since he supported the overthrow of CharlesI. Milton does establish that submitting to an inferior ruler is just as wrong as disobeying a superior ruler. In regards to the king, one must determine if the king is rightfully superior over the people. Some critics have sad that Satan is a caricature of Oliver Cromwell, where this intention would indicate Milton's opposition towards the English Revolution.

Milton's ambiguity in Paradise Lost is a result of censorship imposed at that period. However David Quint argues that Satan represents CharlesI more strongly since Milton was an ardent supporter of the Commonwealth. Even though Milton's questioning of the iconoclasm and spectacles of power pose doubts for the Commonwealth, I think that Milton does not propose hierarchy as a definite measure of rule among men but that Mankind like Adam and Eve should be subservient to God yet held as equals in doing so. Paradise Lost is probably a way for Milton to 'justify the ways of God' both to himself and his fellow men. And while it is too difficult to jump to conclusions about Milton's political agenda in response to the political climate of his times I think that altogether Satan in Paradise Lost becomes more than just another character. There are multiple dimensions to Satan since he is more rightly made up of different fragments rather than the complete and wholesome, unswerving God.

I think that it can be argued both ways politically to analyse whether Milton was for or against the monarchy.