Paradise Lost And Satan Essay Research Paper

Paradise Lost And Satan Essay, Research Paper

The argument over who is the true protagonist of Paradise Lost, has been brewing

for centuries. One would gather that Milton, a Puritan, would have no problem

casting God as the hero, and Satan as the antagonist. But looking back in

history, Milton saw that most epic heroes had conflicts that prevented them from

accomplishing their goals. God and his Son have no conflict, and Adam.s story

doesn.t really begin until the Fall of Man. Therefore, Milton was forced to

select Satan as the hero of Paradise Lost because he adheres to the guidelines

of epic poetry set by Homer, Vergil and others. There many examples of how

Milton uses and edits the tradition of these previous epics in the formation of

the Devil as a hero. One of the most basic examples of heroism in epic poetry is

the exhortation of the leader to his followers. In The Odyssey, Homer lets

Odysseus give a speech that would convince anyone they could survive the journey

to the Strait of Messina, "Then we die with our eyes open , if we are going

to die, or know what death we baffle if we can.(ln.1243-1245)" After

passing the Sirens, the ship approaches the Strait, and the crew sees the twin

terrors of Scylla and Charybdis, they are mortified. Odysseus again lifts their

spirits with this speech, Garcia 2 "Friends, have we ever been in danger

before this. More fearsome, is it now, than when the Cyclops penned us in his

cave. What power he had! Did I not keep my nerve, and use my wits to find a way

out for us. . Heads up, lads! We must now obey orders as I give

them.(1294-1302)" Here Odysseus shows the true ability of a hero to lead in

the face of adversity. Of course Odysseus had the assurance that he would

survive the journey and his crew will not, but that does not stop him from

leading them. In Paradise Lost, this device is used in the opening scene. After

suffering a major defeat at the hands of the Almighty and his angels, Satan

awakens in a lake of fire. He first speaks to Beelzebub, his second in command,

telling him, "All is not lost, the unconquerable Will, and study of

revenge, immortal hate, and courage never to submit or yield: and what else is

not to be overcome.. Since by Fate the strength of Gods and Empyreal substance

cannot fail, Since though experience of this great event in Arms not worse, in

foresight much advance.s, We may with more successful hope resolve to wage by

force or guile eternal War irreconcilable, to our grand Foe, who now triumphs,

and in th.excess of joy sole reigning holds the Tyranny of

Heav.n.(106-109,116-124)" Beelzebub, perhaps showing signs of little

faith in his leader (like Odysseus. crew), raises some important questions.

"What if he our Conqueror, (whom I now of force believe Almighty, since no

less than such could have o.erpow.r.d such force as ours) have Garcia 3

left us this our spirit and strength entire strongly to suffer and support our

pains, that we may so suffice his vengeful ire, or do him mightier service as

his thralls by right of War, whate.er his business be, here in the heart of

Hell to work in Fire, Or to do his errands in the gloomy Deep; What can it then

avail though yet we feel Strength undiminisht, or eternal being to undergo

eternal punishment.(143-155)" Satan, as any good leader would, quickly

allays his companion.s fear with more speech. During the speech, Satan casts

doubts about God.s supremacy and boldly states that they are better off where

they are, "Here at least we shall be free. Here we may reign

secure.Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.(258-263)" Beelzebub

is taken aback by Satan.s words and awakens all of the fallen angels. Once

Satan has their attention, he rouses these fallen angels with another speech,

asking "How such united force of Gods, how such stood like these, could

ever know repulse. For who can yet believe, though after loss, that all these

puissant Legions, whose exile hath emptied Heav.n, shall fail to re-ascend

self-raised, and repossess their native seat.(629-634)" Finally, at the end

his speech, Satan sets them all on their course of conflict, "Peace is

despaired, for who can think of Submission. War then, War open or understood,

must be resolved.(660-662)" The fallen angels respond with a rowdy

confirmation, waving their swords in the and hurling defiance at Heaven. Milton

has given you Satan in the tradition of the epic hero. Even though he knows

Satan is not the "good-guy", he does possess some of the qualities of

a hero. Garcia 4 He is the pinnacle of the assembled crew, hailed even by

enemies as the strongest of the lot. All the angels face a bad situation (exile

in Hell) and yet Satan exhorts them all with a speech. He recounts how they

survived some bad encounters in the past, and then say

Внимание, отключите Adblock

Вы посетили наш сайт со включенным блокировщиком рекламы!
Ссылка для скачивания станет доступной сразу после отключения Adblock!

Скачать