Satan the Centerpiece
My blog regarding Paradise Lost is centered on Satan-just as Milton has the devil as his main character in all of Book one of the poem. It’s interesting to me that Satan is the antagonist-to Christ of coarse-but yet, is the main focus of the introduction; because I haven’t finished the play, I don’t know if Milton perpetuates this structure, but what is his reason for giving Satan so much attention? I realize that Milton is adding a myriad of excess details to the actual story of Adam and Eve, but why does he begin the poem and spend so much time with Satan? This thought first occurred to me while I was reading lines 197-202:
“As whom the fables name of monstrous size:
Titanian or Earth-born that warred on Jove,
Briareous of Typhon whom the den
By ancient Tarsus held…”
Does the author mean to emphasize God’s power and strength by explaining the extremities of the Devil? Do you believe that he includes some hyperbole when describing Satan’s size to make God even more powerful than he is already? After all, Milton did write in the beginning of the poem that he intended to “justify the ways of God to men.”
Then, when the author explained the devil, I strangely felt as though he wanted to evoke empathy from his audience. My favorite quote within the first book helps explain my point; the line takes place when Satan is addressing Beezlebub: “the mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heav’n of hell, a hell of heav’n.” The audience probably admires the Devil to some extent for his ambitions-or I could simply be out of my mind. In addition, the quote provides us with insight as to why Satan feels so compelled to rebel against God: he believes he has control of his own mind and shouldn’t have to obey the Almighty.
The devil is determined, and strong willed and will not give up; he goes on to arrange an army of demons and will attempt to overrun Christ. He preaches to a plethora of devils and commands their ways; an example of this is found in line 330: “Awake! Arise, or be for ever fall’n.” Ironically, this line reminds me of a transcendentalist preacher during the Great Awakening. Nonetheless, the characteristics the devil possesses are those shared by the heroes in epic poems, so again, why is the Devil being portrayed in this light?
Now I’m left wondering if Milton will maintain Satan’s major role as the major character in the following books of the poem. Do you think the author sheds this light on Satan to attract the audience’s attention because he is so intriguing? Whatever the reason may be, I’m interested to read more.
Word Count: 462
I think you’re right on target here, Paige. Milton’s presentation of Satan as the epic hero, along with his detailing Satan’s motivations, does seem to evoke the reader’s sympathy. The questions remains, however: why would he want us to sympathize with the devil if he’s trying to justify the ways of God to men?
Good blog!
Hello There,
I agree with your point that Satan is the antagonist to Christ, however I do believe that Milton tried to portray Satan as the protagonist. Milton is continually making the reader sympathize, and almost take sides with Satan, which is what protagonists do. In my opinion, to answer your first question, I believe there may have been sever reasons that Milton focused the readers’ attention on Satan. One may have been to show a lot of how he can manipulate, and convince someone easily, as in when he’s giving his pep talk to the angels in lines 242-281. Also, he may be trying to show how evil Satan’s intentions and mind are as in when Satan is saying they must wage another war on God but basically cheating this time. In another way to look at it, as mentioned in our seminar Monday, Milton may have thought himself in likeness to Satan. The way Satan thinks he’s misunderstood or as well recognized, as he should be, just like Milton did.
The poem is elaborating the details from the actual story of Adam and Eve, but I believe that Milton started off by focusing on Satan for distinct reason. I think that Milton may have wanted to show the reader Satan’s evilness to a certain extent before introducing Adam and Eve to the story. I believe this may help us understand why Eve was tempted to eat the apple from the Forbidden Tree, and also why she was tempted enough to tempt Adam to do the same. It will help us sympathizes for Adam and Even and also understand them a little more.
I absolutely think that Milton was trying to show the reader’s just how great Gods’ awesome power is. Milton describing to us just how big and demented the devil is, and never being able to defeat God defiantly shows this overpowering.
I agree with you on Milton evoking empathy from the readers, and I also see how the readers would admire Satan for his confidence and pride. Although, I could also see how some readers may find disgust within Satan as well. The way Satan keeps going against God and the way he is always making himself seem greater then others gives us reason to suggest that Satan is conceited, cocky, and very prideful.
In regards to why Satan is portrayed as having characteristics of an epic hero, I believe may have something to do with that our whole life we have been taught that the devil is a horrible, despicable beast with no good attributes which, when describing him as an epic hero we take a step back and look at him in a different way. Just throwing this thought out there, maybe Milton, in a sick, twisted way, was trying to make the readers a ‘fan’ of the devil.
Milton, I believe, will keep the focus on Satan until maybe the nearing of the poems end. I think he’s going to keep describing Satan and his view of the strong until there is no more story to tell.
Word Count: 514