Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost
Satan, arguably the main character in John Milton’s Paradise Lost, makes many debatable statements and pronouncements. These statements are often interpretations of how he sees the reality of God and himself. Most often, Satan is trying to convince others to rebel against God the same way he did in his betrayal. In Book IV of Paradise Lost, lines 43 through 62, Satan’s statements are all self-deluding.
Satan’s self-delusion begins when he feels that God inflicted ill will on him. Satan acknowledges the fact that God did create him in His holy light in line 44 ” whom he created what I was In that bright eminence, and with his good Upbraided none.” This line shows that Satan is aware that he received his abilities and strength from Him but the self-delusion soon shines through as he continues his speech. In line 47 Satan says, ” yet all his good prov’d ill in me, And wrought but malice” which itself is a contradiction. Satan uses the word “good” to describe God, yet says He inflicted malice on him.
Satan does not believe that malice or ill feeling could come from anywhere but from God. Satan is too childish and narrow-minded to believe that his anger and disgust with God could come from himself. Satan continues this thought by saying that God inflicted a burden on him with his abilities ” The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burdensome, still paying, still to owe” (l. 53). Again this is a contradiction which he believes in.
It seems as though Satan is sarcastic in his speech of acknowledging God’s gift. This sarcasm of dismissing God in the same line as praising Him shows the arrogance and egotistical nature of Satan. As he is saying these seemingly respectable things about God he believes all along that God does not deserve any respect. This shows his delusion because whether or not Satan wants to admit it, he did in fact receive his ability to question God from God.
Another instance of Satan’s self-delusion is Satan’s belief that he does not owe any loyalty or respect to God. Satan states in line 54 ” By owing owes not, but still pays, at once Indebted and discharg’d; what burden then?” showing that he blames God for this burden. Satan thinks that God does not deserve loyalty because of the type of gift he gave him; the gift of ambition and free will. Satan’s anger does not diminish the fact that God still gave him a gift. The paradox is that Satan fails to acknowledge the fact that he still owes God for his self-awareness.
Satan is displeased with this gift because it does not make him happy; his free will makes him spiteful. At this point in the story Satan’s purpose is to go into Eden to tempt mankind. Satan wants to make Hell and Earth come together in spitefulness against God. Satan is spiteful in his speech in an attempt to reassure himself because of his fear. He is fearful because he is doubtful. He does not feel guilty about tempting mankind rather he is fearful of even attempting it. Satan does not show remorse, just weakness. Perhaps the self-delusion also lies in the fact that Satan believes that he has an incredible amount of strength, however, he is also fearful of God. Satan’s only audience for this speech is himself- the only person he has to spew propaganda to.
Satan proceeds with another self-delusion in his belief that his evil is fated and divinely destined. Satan’s belief in himself is demonstrated in line 58 “O had his powerful Destiny ordain’d Me some inferior Angel, I had stood Then happy.” Within each line, Satan continuously contradicts himself. He believes that he is much more developed and elevated than any of God’s other creations. Satan fails to see that God gave all his creatures the freedom of choice including Satan. All of God’s creations are equal because of His gift of free will but Satan truly believes that he is higher than the rest.
His ambition leads him to believe he is higher than any member of his crew as well as God’s angels. Satan validates his assumption in line “Some other Power As great might have aspir’d, and me though mean Drawn to his part; but other Powers as great Fell not” (l. 61). He states his belief that had any other powers existed ambitious and commanding enough to rebel against God they would have. Satan does not believe there are other powerful arch-angles who chose not to rebel. Satan considers supreme and second only to God.
Satan’s arguments are so well composed and thought out that he believes them wholeheartedly. His arrogance and egotism prevents him from seeing through the lies that he tells. Satan is so adamant and vain about what he thinks he gives long speeches to himself when he is alone. These speeches have their purpose, to validate Satan’s disloyalty to God and to motivate him on his quest for evil.
