Invocation
and introduction of theme (1-26)
It is characteristic of
a classical epic that the poet invokes the aid of his patron muse. Milton
marries his Christian theme and neo-classical method by invoking, as his muse,
the Holy Spirit, third Person of the Trinity. This section is a prayer, in which Milton states his subject, and asks for divine
assistance in giving voice to it. Milton states that his purpose is to:
“Assert eternal providence And
justify the ways of God to men.”
justify the ways of God to men.”
Note that this section
contains only two sentences. The main verb, in the first, is thethirty-ninth word in the sentence. The various indirect objects of the
verb “sing” reflect the magnitude of the poem's subject and its author's task:
“disobedience...Death…woe...loss of Eden...one greater Man.”
Note how easily Milton
moves from prayer into an account of Satan's fall, by asking who or what caused
man to fall. According to Milton, Satan's motive was to be above his peers. The
expulsion of Satan from Heaven is depicted more fully in Book 6 (his revolt,
partly, in Book 5) of Paradise
Lost.
Satan is cast out of
Heaven, together with his “horrid crew”. Nine days they lie on a lake of fire,
then regain consciousness to find themselves in Hell.
Satan acknowledges how
utterly his confederate, Beelzebub, has been changed, for the worse, by the
devils' defeat, but stresses fact that they are still united in their fall. He
recognises God's superior strength, but points out that he now knows the extent
of God's power, previously unknown because untried. Despite the change they
have outwardly undergone, Satan stresses the unchanged nature of his attitude
to God's Son, “the potent Victor”. “All is not lost” because Satan will never
submit freely to God's authority. Satan suggests that God's rule was endangered
by his revolt, that he will never sink to the indignity of asking forgiveness,
and outlines his intention of conducting further warfare against God. Satan's
speech smacks of wishful thinking; he speaks boastfully, but at the same time
tortured by pain and profound despair.
Beelzebub acknowledges
Satan's trial of God's might, bewails loss of Heaven, and the punishment the
fallen angels are suffering, though this will not be alleviated by death. He
suggests that God has deliberately left devils their strength, to be His
slaves, carrying out “his errands in the gloomy deep” of Hell.
Satan replies that the
devils' task must be never to do anything good, but always to strive to pervert
to evil ends whatever God does, turning to evil His good actions. Satan
suggests leaving the lake of fire in which they lie, and reassembling their
forces.
Note Satan's resolution
and his taking the initiative. As the poem continues we also note Beelzebub's
support of Satan, his ready agreement with all he says - Beelzebub is very
shrewd: he makes sure he defers to his superior. Milton gives some account here
of the topography of Hell.
Satan and Beelzebub
leave the lake of fire and fly to land. Milton compares Satan with the
sea-monster, Leviathan, and stresses the fact that it is only with God's
permission that the devils quit the lake. Satan acknowledges the horrible
nature of Hell, but argues that, for him, to be in Heaven would be Hell (being
subservient to God) and it is better to reign where he is than serve in Heaven.
Beelzebub repeats Satan's suggestion, advising him to call to other angels, who
will be revived by sound of their leader's voice.
Satan, “the superior
fiend”, goes to the edge of the burning lake and calls to his legions who are
lying inert on its surface. Note his sarcastic humour: he asks, in effect, “Are
you having a rest? Have you chosen to lie in the lake as a way of adoring God
(by readily bowing to His will)?”
The devils, waking, stir
themselves, fly up into air, and assemble around Satan The chief devils are
named and described:
- Moloch (crude,
warlike, blustering);
- Chemos (associated
with sensual, orgiastic demon worship, idolatry);
- Astarte (a
female equivalent of Chemos);
- Thammuz (a
fertility god, believed to die and rise to life every year; associated
with rebirth of vegetation);
- Dagon (god
of the Philistines, referred to in the Biblical books of Judges and 1 Samuel);
- Rimmon (referred
to in the Biblical book of 2 Kings);
- Osiris, Isis, Orus (gods of Egyptian mythology), and
- Belial (a
deceitful, lustful and lewd god).
The devil host assembles
in military fashion. The devils move forward, and come to a halt ready for
inspection by Satan. Milton describes the martial prowess and glory they retain
despite their fall, and notes how moved Satan is by this display of loyalty.
Note that Moloch and
Belial reappear in Book 2, where they are more interestingly portrayed as
speakers in the great debate.
Satan opens his address
to his followers by praising them, claiming that none save the Almighty could
have matched their strength. He claims that it is hard to believe the fallen
angels will not re-ascend to Heaven, and regain their rightful position. Satan
blames God for apparently holding His position by “repute” and the ready
submission of the angels, while concealing His true strength, and thereby
tempting the followers of Satan to rebel.
Satan mentions the
rumour, heard in Heaven, of the creation of a new world, and suggests the idea
of exploring it, as “celestial spirits” will never be held in bondage by the
“infernal pit” of Hell. Satan finishes by insisting that war of some kind “must
be resolved”. As he concludes his speech, the devils affirm their loyalty,
striking their shields with their swords, “hurling defiance” at Heaven.
Note how Satan flatters
his legions - he persuades them they can still thwart God's designs and that
Hell cannot hold them. He hints at war, but leaves it till later to determine
what kind of conflict this will be. This prepares us for the great debate of
Book 2.
The
building of Pandemonium (670-798)Utilising the natural mineral wealth of Hell, the devils, under
the guidance of the materialist Mammon, construct a great council chamber. This
is Pandemonium (“All devil place” or “place of all
devils” ). Satan's heralds proclaim a solemn assembly to be held in
Pandemonium, and the devils scale themselves down in size, till they are small
enough to be “at large” in the hall. (“At large” means having enough space in
which to move freely - but Milton puns on the expression) The chief devils,
however, retain their full dimensions, and the “great consult” begins.
Note the pictorial and
vividly realistic description of building operations (mining, founding and so
on), which gives a sense of Hell as a real place.
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