Paradise Lost

  In Paradise Lost, composed by John Milton, God has just defeated Satan who has now been cast down to hell with the other devils. In this book we see as Satan decides to seek revenge against God and heaven and also as he raises up his army. Within the story one can see how Satan resembles a monster with regard to not only his appearance, but also his actions.

            Within the text Satan is described as being powerful with “the force of those dire arms” (94). In addition, later in the text his physical body is described as “extended long and large/ Lay floating many a rood, in bulk as huge/As whom the fables name of monstrous size” (195-197). This comparison to other famous creatures and monsters reinforces Satan’s great strength and power.

            Satan’s actions and words also contribute to his monsteristic characteristics. When Satan is conversing with Beelzebub he says “Farewell happy fields/ where joy forever dwells: Hail horrors, hail/ Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell” (249-251). One can assume that Satan hopes to, not only defeat God and heaven, but also cause people pain.

            Satan’s attributes, both physical and behavioral, contribute to his classification and a monster within this text.

My questions are why do think Satan was driven to rebel against God and why do you think that he chooses to try to again once he has already lost?