John
Milton’s Paradise
Lost is a magnificent work. For those who are unfamiliar with this epic
poem, first published in 1668, it details Satan’s fall from heaven into hell,
the creation of the earth and humans, as well as humanity’s expulsion from the
Garden of Eden. In some ways wildly over the top, the poem covers epic and
violent celestial battles between the forces of God and the forces of Satan, involving
legions of angels, demons and satanic war machines, philosophical conversations
between God and Jesus, as well as phantasmagoric descriptions of heaven, hell,
the Garden of Eden, etc. It is full of interesting philosophical themes ranging
from the nature of evil, reason and religion, the paradox of predestination and
free will, etc. It builds a macro to micro picture of a cosmos that ranges from
the actual physical locations and proximities of heaven, hell and Earth, down
to the dietary habits of angels.
An
issue that has occupied critics and legions of other readers over the centuries
is the fabulous depiction of Satan in this poem. Milton’s Satan speaks in eloquent
and soaring verse, is often brave and noble, at least within his nefarious
circle, as well as intelligent and self-reflective. There are varying opinions
on this very unconventional portrayal of the Devil. A few have gone as far as
to accuse Milton of blasphemy and Satanism.
To
be sure, this Satan is a fascinating and complex character. At one point, he
even considers repenting and returning to God’s service, but realizes that he
would eventually be unable to prevent himself from resuming his rebellion,
But say I could repent
and could obtaine
By Act of Grace my
former state; how soon
Would highth recal
high thoughts, how soon unsay
What feign’d
submission swore: ease would recant
Vows made in pain, as
violent and void.
For never can true
reconcilement grow
Where wounds of deadly
hate have peirc’d so deep:
Which would but lead
me to a worse relapse
And heavier fall: so
should I purchase deare
Short intermission
bought with double smart.
It
seems to me that Milton was portraying Satan as a terribly tragic figure. He is
an angel who possessed incredibly noble and appealing virtues but who could not
resist the appeal to evil. Hence he fell a very long way. Furthermore he was
one of God’s leading angels. Monumental virtue, though eventually lost, would
have been a prerequisite of this position. It would not be surprising that elements of this
virtue would remain after his fall. Though a sympathetic character in many ways,
there is no doubt that Satan has become a purveyor of evil. He constantly harps
about revenge upon God, corrupts humankind and brings all sorts of chaos into
the universe.
At one point, he even acknowledges that his rebellion is
wrong, unprovoked and motivated by pride and ambition,
I fell, how glorious
once above thy Spheare;
Till Pride and worse
Ambition threw me down
Warring in Heav’n
against Heav’ns matchless King:
Ah wherefore! he
deservd no such return
From me, whom he
created what I was
In that bright
eminence, and with his good
Upbraided none; nor
was his service hard.
What could be less
then to afford him praise,
The easiest
recompence, and pay him thanks,
How due! yet all his
good prov’d ill in me,
And wrought but
malice; lifted up so high
Satan’s story is one of monumental tragedy; it is monumental
precisely because of the virtues inherent in his character.
There are so many other themes and ideas explored in this work.
I will be devoting another post or two in exploring some points that were of particular
interest to me. There are many reasons
to read this poem, not the least of which is the amazing persona that Milton
has created in Satan himself.
