Satan in Paradise Lost (BK-I): Perplexing and Ambiguous Study

Introduction:

There would be no difficulty if Satan were simply an Iago; the difficulty arises because he is a Macbeth. Satan is like the supreme villain Iago. the Satanic sins are pride, envy, and wart and Satan’s good qualities are inflexibility, determination, magnificent expression,  a vivid imagination, his capacity to bear  suffering, human contradictions.  So he is villainies' hero and heroic villain. Even the reader’s expression is equivocal.    

                                                                           

Satan is almost indubitably the most perplexing and ambiguous character in the annals of epic poetry. An angle with infinite talent and immense possibilities, he is yet an angel reduced to villainy by his immense ambition. The angel becomes a devil, the fairest of all becomes the most macabre of all, the seraphim turns in to serpent in (book-ix of) Paradise Lost. Milton was a child of the Renaissance as much as Bacon and Marlow, and it is perhaps inheritable that like all Renaissance heroes, the Miltonic Satan would be composite of the opposites. A Renaissance hero is necessarily a derided being, torn between his aspiration and his achievement, between the action and the fruition. 

Ambition and Pride:

Satan's ambition and pride are central to his character. His rebellion against God is driven by his desire for autonomy and self-determination. He famously declares, "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven" (Book I, Line 263). This statement encapsulates his unyielding pride and ambition. His refusal to submit to divine authority reflects his belief that self-sovereignty, even in damnation, is preferable to servitude in Heaven. This ambition becomes the driving force behind much of the plot.

Renaissance hero desires to be a Universalism, a being who desires self-advancement, material and intellectual, by the exploitation of all possible means. Satan too, resembles Macbeth the ambitious tragic hero much more than he resoles I ago, the unredeemed villain. Although he changes in to a serpent he has much of the divine in him. He may be a sinner and may have desecrated God head, but he is also a being with magnificent virtues unparalleled fortitude, immense capacity to bear pain, a vivid imagination, a dramatic expression and last but not the least, a capacity for profound emotion (Psychologically, he is a term being entrapped between ambition and actuality. In the reader he evokes the opposed impulses. While most religious us people consider him an apocalypse of evil, the embodiment of sin, others consider him ‘a moral losing’ (Shelley) a Promethean opponent of all authoritarianism and oppressed Tyranny. It can be seen through the  part of Satan’s Character and the determination of speech and illustrations of character.

Satan as a Paradoxical Figure:

Satan is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing characters in English literature, and his portrayal in "Paradise Lost" is layered with complexity. On one hand, he is the archetypal villain, the embodiment of rebellion and evil; on the other hand, he possesses qualities that make readers sympathize with his plight and question the traditional notions of good and evil.

The Rebel Leader:

In Book I of "Paradise Lost," Satan emerges as a formidable rebel leader who defies the omnipotent God and incites a cosmic war in Heaven. This portrayal immediately establishes his defiance, audacity, and determination. His eloquent speeches and unwavering resolve in the face of insurmountable odds give him an undeniable sense of grandeur. We see him rallying his fallen angelic cohorts with fiery rhetoric, a character that possesses both charisma and leadership qualities.

The Tragic Hero:

Despite his rebellion against the divine order, Satan exhibits characteristics of a tragic hero. Traditionally, a tragic hero is a character of noble stature who possesses a fatal flaw leading to their downfall. In Satan's case, his ambition, pride, and defiance can be considered his tragic flaws. Yet, his character is not devoid of admirable traits. He displays courage, resilience, and an unyielding spirit, which endear him to readers to some extent. His unwavering determination to resist divine authority, even in the face of eternal suffering, evokes a sense of sympathy. We see Satan as a character whose initial actions and motivations are understandable, if not entirely justifiable.

The Manipulative Deceiver:

Satan's character is further complicated by his role as a masterful deceiver and manipulator. He disguises himself as a serpent to tempt Eve in the Garden of Eden, a cunning act that showcases his persuasive abilities. He capitalizes on his knowledge of human weakness and exploits it to lead mankind astray. This deceptive aspect of his character adds layers of complexity and intrigue to his portrayal.

Moral Dilemma:

One of the most striking aspects of Satan's character in "Paradise Lost" is the moral dilemma he presents to readers. Despite his undeniable evil deeds, he is portrayed in a way that elicits conflicting emotions. Readers are challenged to grapple with their own conflicted feelings about him. This raises profound questions about the nature of evil and temptation. Is Satan entirely irredeemable, or are there shades of gray in his character? Milton's nuanced portrayal of Satan forces readers to confront these moral ambiguities.

Self-Reflective Nature:

Throughout the epic, Satan engages in moments of self-reflection and introspection. He questions his own choices and contemplates the consequences of his rebellion. His soliloquies provide insights into his inner turmoil and the internal conflict he experiences. For example, in Book IV, after successfully deceiving Eve, Satan reflects on his own fall from grace and the loss of his angelic glory. This self-reflective aspect of his character adds depth and dimension to his portrayal.

The Tragic Downfall:

As the narrative of "Paradise Lost" progresses, Satan's character undergoes a gradual decline. His initial grandeur and charisma give way to despair and degradation. He finds himself trapped in Hell, suffering the torments of his rebellion. This descent into despair highlights the tragic consequences of his actions. The reader witnesses his transformation from a rebellious angel to a figure consumed by bitterness and vengeance.

A Symbolic Figure:

Satan can also be seen as a symbolic representation of various complex themes in "Paradise Lost." His character embodies the human condition, the struggle for autonomy, and the consequences of pride and defiance. His ambiguity allows readers to explore these themes from different angles. Satan's role as a symbol of the human condition invites readers to reflect on their own capacity for both good and evil, as well as the choices they make in their lives.

Conclusion:

In "Paradise Lost," John Milton masterfully crafts the character of Satan as a perplexing and ambiguous figure. He challenges traditional notions of good and evil, presenting readers with a character who possesses both admirable and detestable qualities. Satan's complexity invites readers to engage in a nuanced study of his character, making him one of the most enigmatic and enduring figures in English literature. Ultimately, Satan in "Paradise Lost" serves as a testament to the depth and intricacy of Milton's poetic and philosophical exploration of the human condition and the nature of rebellion.

Ardhendu De

References

Milton’s God : Empson, William, 1906- : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/miltonsgod0000emps

Milton : Blake, William, 1757-1827 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. (n.d.). Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/miltonblakrich

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

Milton, J. (2004, August 26). Paradise Lost. https://doi.org/10.1604/9781593080952