Character Estimation of Beelzebub in John Milton's "Paradise Lost ( Book I)"

In John Milton's epic poem "Paradise Lost" (Book I), Beelzebub is one of the principal characters and a prominent fallen angel. Beelzebub, whose name means "Lord of the Flies," holds a significant role in the poem as Satan's right-hand demon and confidant. The word Beelzebub means ' The god of flies ' in Hebrew. He was worshiped at Ekron , a city of the Philistines as a fertility god. In Hebrew demonology, Asmodeus, the leader of the demons, is occasionally confused with Beelzebub. Beelzebub is called in Matthew, XII, 24, 'The prince of the devils’; hence he is represented by Milton as next to Satan in power and in crime. The crime is the crime of rebellion against god. Beelzebub followed Satan, next in the act of rebellion. Next to Satan, Beelzebub shared the greatest responsibility for the rebellion against god and overthrow of the angels.

Beelzebub is one of the rebel angels, the chief of Satan’s fellow conspirators in Heaven. In Hell also he remains Satan’s chief follower:

" He (Satan) soon discerns, and welt'ring by his side 

One next himself in power, and next in crime, 

Long after known in Palestine, and named 

Beëlzebub. To whom th' Arch-Enemy, 

And thence in heav'n called Satan, with bold words 

Breaking the horrid silence thus began." PL Bk 1

Beelzebub is also a bold leader of the rebel angels. Above all, he is a wise and sagacious counselor of Satan an able minister who has always his master's interest at heart. Satan, however, has not Beelzebub's wisdom and practical sense. For example, Satan rejoices at the immortality of the rebel angels, and hopes that they will thus be able to vex god through eternity Beelzebub at once points out that the immortality of the rebel angels also means eternal torture for them. Satan declares that the fallen angels will always be doing evil, thus vexing god. Beelzebub shrewdly observes that their very opposition may be turned by god into the furtherance of his own glory. Bold, proud and ambitions, Satan is at his best on a throne or at the head of an army. The proper place for the wise and sagacious Beelzebub is the council chamber.

Beelzebub's first speech [lines 128 - 155] proves that he knows better than to oppose directly his leader and thwart his will. He knows that the best way to rule a bold chief is by way of persuasion:

"O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,

That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to Warr

Under thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds

Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King;

And put to proof his high Supremacy,

Whether upheld by strength, or Chance, or Fate,

Too well I see and rue the dire event,

That with sad overthrow and foul defeat

Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty Host

In horrible destruction laid thus low,

As far as Gods and Heav'nly Essences

Can perish: for the mind and spirit remains

Invincible, and vigour soon returns,

Though all our Glory extinct and happy state

Here swallow'd up in endless misery.

But what if he our Conquerour, (whom I now

Of force believe Almighty, since no less

Then such could hav orepow'rd such force as ours)

Have left us this our spirit and strength intire

Strongly to suffer and support our pains,

That we may so suffice his vengeful ire,

Or do him mightier service as his thralls

By right of Warr, what e're his business be

Here in the heart of Hell to work in Fire,

Or do his Errands in the gloomy Deep;

What can it then avail though yet we feel

Strength undiminisht, or eternal being

To undergo eternal punishment?

Whereto with speedy words th' Arch-fiend reply'd."

He humours Satan and seems at first to agree with him. But then with his wise foresight Beelzebub comes forward with shrewd hunts of doubt about the future. His character, as revealed in the speech, is one of Milton's subtlest. He is not a base coward like Belial. Nor has he the rash and unthinking courage of Moloch. He is rather the wise, practical councilor who has the good of his chief at his heart. Beelzebub also knows that a great disaster has overwhelmed them. We may note in this connection that most unlike Satan, he does not minimize the overthrow and defeat of the angels.
Satan proposes to summon his followers who are still confounded that they may either share misery with him in Hell or prepare for another contest with god. In reply to this, Beelzebub highly praises Satan as their leader: 'Leader of those armies bright, / Which but th' omnipotent none could have foil’d.' In his second speech [lines 271 -282 ] , Beelzebub assures Satan of the fallen angels ' undying allegiance and devotion to Satan . In their with gods host, they had been cheered up by Satan’s voice:

"Leader of those Armies bright,

Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foyld,

If once they hear that voyce, thir liveliest pledge

Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft

In worst extreams, and on the perilous edge

Of battel when it rag'd, in all assaults

Thir surest signal, they will soon resume

New courage and revive, though now they lye

Groveling and prostrate on yon Lake of Fire,

As we erewhile, astounded and amaz'd,

No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious highth."

This time also they will rise from their stupefied condition on the lake of fire at their leader's call. To quote from Prof. Raleigh's Milton, 'His followers are devotedly attached to him: they admire him that for the general safety he [Satan] despised his own.’

Satan and Beelzebub are the mightiest of the rebel angels that fell from Heaven. They tower above the rest. Satan is the king of the fallen angels; Beelzebub is their Deputy. In physical strength and splendour Beelzebub is Satan's inferior. Satan is the first of the fallen angels to recover from the stupor, Beelzebub is the second. Satan is also prouder and more courageous than Beelzebub. Even after the fall from Heaven Satan meditates revenge, whereas Beelzebub is obviously despaired.

Here is a character estimation of Beelzebub based on his portrayal in "Paradise Lost":

👉Appearance: Beelzebub is described as a mighty and commanding figure. He possesses a majestic presence, with a regal demeanor that reflects his former status as a heavenly angel. Despite his fallen state, he still retains an air of authority and power.

👉Intelligence and Eloquence: Beelzebub exhibits remarkable intelligence and eloquence in his speeches. He is articulate and persuasive, using his rhetorical skills to sway his fellow fallen angels and devise strategies. He often presents well-reasoned arguments and speaks with a level of sophistication that commands attention.

👉Loyalty to Satan: Beelzebub is fiercely loyal to Satan and serves as his most trusted advisor. He supports Satan's ambitions and acts as a sounding board for his plans. Beelzebub's unwavering devotion to his leader is evident throughout the poem.

👉Strategic Thinking: Beelzebub possesses a strategic mind and is skilled at formulating plans. He proposes various ideas and schemes, including the suggestion to wage war against God in a different form and the plan to corrupt mankind in the Garden of Eden. His strategic thinking contributes to the fallen angels' ongoing rebellion against God.

👉Emotional Depth: Beelzebub experiences a range of emotions, showcasing a complex character. While he displays resilience and determination, there are moments when he also expresses feelings of despair and doubt. Despite his outward strength, he carries the weight of his fallen status and the knowledge of the eternal damnation that awaits him.

👉Ambition and Pride: Beelzebub harbors ambitions of reclaiming their lost glory and overthrowing God. His pride is evident in his refusal to bow down to God's authority and his persistent rebellion. He is driven by a desire for power and to establish a dominion of his own.

Ardhendu De

Ref: 

1. A. R. Waller (Waller, A. R. (Alfred Rayney), 1867-1922) | The Online Books Page. (n.d.). A. R. Waller (Waller, a. R. (Alfred Rayney), 1867-1922) | the Online Books Page. https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book/lookupname?key=Waller%2C%20A%2E%20R%2E%20%28Alfred%20Rayney%29%2C%201867%2D1922

2. The Project Gutenberg eBook of Milton, by Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh. (n.d.). The Project Gutenberg eBook of Milton, by Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/21677/21677-h/21677-h.htm