Paradise Lost – What Do We Learn About Satan’s Character from Line 84 To Line 191?

Miltons portrait of friction match has fascinated critics since Paradise Losts prime(prenominal) publication, leading some in the romantic period to claim that dickens is, in fact, the heroic protagonist of the whole work. Certainly Miltons description of friction match has hugely influenced the devils image in western art and literature since the books publication. From lines 84 to 191 in Paradise Lost Book 1, we are introduced to the character of match, who has adept been hurled from heaven, beca using up he trusted to maintain equalled the Most High.As a reader, integrity initial meets a stunned friction match, chained down to the fiery lake of hell, border by his co-conspirators. From lines 84 to 127, where Satan is speaking to his good fri ratiocination, Beelzebub, Milton presents him as macrocosm nostalgic about heaven, Myriads, though bright something one sees signifi posteriortly for the first and last time throughout the poem. Satans great yearning for heaven is brief, and when in the end suppressed, Milton offers a fine and revealing example of Satans rhetoric and quick-moving contradictions, as he instantly expresses excuses for his failure.Firstly, he declares that Till then who knew, the force of those dire weapons? explaining how they were unaware of beau ideals powers before testing him. This is supportive evidence, backing up the pinch that Satan is the supposed Father Of Lies, as he is seen to be direct manipulating the truth. He manages to make He with his thunder sound as though God had taken unfair advantage by using an illegal weapon. Moreover, he never refers to God by his name, but as He, The potent victor, or Our grand foe.He makes a virtue out of his unwillingness to aby or change the very unwillingness which imprisons him thoroughgoing(a)ly in the hell of himself. more of what Satan says makes him sound grand and admirable because of the rhetorical force with which it is expressed, except when studied more cl osely it is seen to be more hollow, and even absurd. Satan claims that in the war against God, He shook his throne, and that the battle was dubious that it could have bypast either way. This is obviously untrue, and again contributes to the image of him organism a instead desperate liar.Satans remarkably obvious sense of optimism becomes greatly evident towards the end of his speech, where he describes all the positive things that have been the outcome of their war. Firstly he boasts of how they have now gained experience of Gods power through experience of this great event, and then he persuades himself they have learnt a lesson from defeat, and in foresight often advanced, will do better next time in the eternal war. In my opinion however, Satans brave face is merely superficial.Beneath, he is racked with cryptical despair, his essential spiritual condition. His public face, is that of supreme dissembler, and it is impossible to know the extremity to which he is deceived by his own rhetoric. This idea, creates effects of sympathy towards Satans character as it almost suggests that he is hopeless and possibly even doomed. Throughout this incident speech, Milton in my opinion, indirectly forces juxtaposing emotions upon his readers in relation to the character of Satan being that of sympathy Vs admiration.The tanging of sympathy, as he seems so determined to be a successful leader, however it is clear that he does not unfeignedly know himself where he is leading to. Even though one expertness feel this pity, the admiration of his great fearlessness to rebel against authority makes Satan more appealing and likable as a rebel. From lines 128 55, Beelzebub, the born second-in-command replies to Satan beginning by being sycophantic towards him, and then continuing the apologue that their rebellion had endangered god.In contrast to Miltons confident and optimistic portrayal of Satan, he presents Beelzebub in a much dimmer light characterisation him as being heavily depressed through the repetitive use of emotive language, using words such as destruction, misery, pain and fire. This key disagreement in character highlights the extent of Satans sheer optimism in their situation, making him progress plausible for his determination and great courage, of which he appears to possess over the opposite rebel angel.Following Beelzebubs pessimistic and sorrowful reply, Satan forcefully attacks him with a powerful and persuasive speech, desperately hoping to uplift his despair. From comments such as, to be flimsy is miserable, one learns that Satan is determined to scotch such defeatist disgorge and to abolish any sense of weakness. Although Satan shows signs of great commitment in his ambition to pervert Gods providence, I think that he knows in his heart that he is on a hiding to nothing and the worst he can do is cause God temporary inconvenience.Words such as disturb and perhaps grieve illustrate Satans rather poor plans to mere ly irritate God, with his language slackly lacking the vigour one would expect from Satan. Although Satan lacks in the attribute of his plans, he does successfully manage to in-force a sense of time and send out as well as a feeling of unity, for example through Our enemy, Our Own loss. The effect of this is that it brings the rebels closer together reminding them that they have each-other, and therefore have a side.This shows us that Satan has great leadership skills, in that he holds the situation together and persuades his friends to follow his plans. Overall, I believe that from lines 84 to 191, Milton offers his readers an highly complex and diverse view of Satans character, indicating rather important aspects that his personality appears to dominate. As the image created is rather dependable, my personal attitude towards him so utmost is greatly ambiguous, feeling both attraction, and repulsion many people, it is relevant to add feel the same about snakes.The most notabl e aspects that have so far had effect shaping my view of his personality are his sheer courage and energy that he appears to have on such an enormous scale. However, when analysing the protect of these qualities in themselves one is forced to question their significance. In actual fact, when analyze all major aspects of Satans character so far the discussion of him rapidly turns into a series of endless questions, which I hope will presently be answered as the poem develops.