Group 3

After reading Paradise Lost IV, I wanted to focus on the scene where Satan reflects on how the earth is more beautiful than heaven, and is jealous of Adam and Eve that they get to enjoy their own paradise.  Satan says, "With Heav'nly spoils, our spoils: what he decreed he effected man he made, and for him built magnificent this world, and earth his seat " (151-153).  Satan realizes that it is better to be good than evil, but it is too late for him to turn around, therefore Satan makes the decision to ruin mankind by tempting Eve into eating the forbidden fruit, even after his soul-searching.  He thinks that it is too late to repent and so he feels that he needs to stay evil.  My question is, why would Satan even think twice about being good, hasnt he always been thought of as evil? Why do you think Milton puts this excerpt into his story?