The allure of free will is where the captivation of Satan 's character stems. Similar to that of the typical epic hero, in the midst of his defeat, Satan is awarded the power of recovery; despite this choice Satan allows his malice and pride to refrain him from doing so. His hatred and vengeance motivate Satan to dispute God 's authority. Satan, who would prove quite incompetent at single-handily battling God freely, utilizes his masterminding abilities to level the playing field. The chain of events which begin
It is their ability to admit their wrong doings to God that allow them to have the promise of returning to Paradise; something that Satan was not able to do. In the fourth book in Paradise Lost, we see Satan wrestling with himself over what has happened, his fall, and what it is he is about to do, his completely setting himself against God. He is able to recognize that God’s forgiving nature extends even to himself, "I could repent and could obtain By Act of Grace, my former state", and is if only for a moment, unsure as to "which way I shall fly"? However, Satan knowingly chooses to cling to his foolish pride, and is unwilling to ask and receive the forgiveness of God, "is there no place left for repentance… none left… disdain forbids me". It is important to understand that Satan fully comprehends the sin he is about to commit as he is well aware of the consequences for his actions.
Satan states: "How such united force of gods, how such / As stood like these, co... ... middle of paper ... ...pportive of him, later reveal his truly destructive character, resulting in the reader disliking Satan. Accordingly, when the character of Satan is followed throughout Paradise Lost, Milton`s reason behind the order of development can be realized. Milton’s desire to create a strong hatred of Satan is achieved best by emphasizing Satan’s good points first. Then, when Satan’s real character begins to surface, the reader is shocked by the actions of their ‘hero’, causing them to dislike him more than if he had always been a bad character. The reader’s dislike of Satan is strengthened by Satan’s shift in motives.
(scene , 10-11) By making a deal with the devil, Faustus trades his soul for satisfaction, and a greater field of study. He is selfish--wanting knowledge, power, and fun without having to work or take responsibility for it. As r... ... middle of paper ... ... of the play as Dr. Faustus is sent to hell, there are many ironic details evident. The main one is that despite his great knowledge and power, Faustus makes the most unwise decision. Repenting to Mephastophilis instead of God, he gives up everything for nothing in return.
When Paradise Lost begins, the vainglorious actions of Satan have resulted in his removal from heaven and placed him on the path to exact revenge against those who have done so. Though, the reader is hardly able to experience any distaste when reading about this man who opposes the consented force of good. He is are charming, dark, fanatical and desperate in his attempts. It is from these characteristics, that the reader may be swayed into viewing him as the protagonist (or even the hero) of the tale. Even C.S.
These instances displays Milton's portrayal of Satan’s ineptitude to win against God’s supremacy. Although Satan is a dark figure that everyone wants to escape from, Milton maximizes the devil’s qualities to portray him as the oppressed fighter for freedom. Milton also humanizes Satan’s attributes by displaying his weaknesses and defeats in the face of the all knowing Creator. Then he is the absolute enemy that deceives and enchants man to succumb to their weaknesses. Milton deliberately creates a reason why Satan is necessary to God by examining the Scripture and was further elevated by C.S.
He would manipulate and deceive in any fashion as long as he can destroy God’s creation. Satan admits that God was good but his goodness made him feel “miserable” (IV, 73) because of his “boasting” (IV, 85). It is likely that God had no intention of boasting but that does not stop the evil that persists in Satan’s mind from thinking that way. At last, Satan severs his connection with God forever as he states, “farewell, hope; and with hope farewell, fear; Farewell, remorse, all good to me is lost” (IV, 107-108). Satan bids farewell to who he was before, a god amongst the heaven and abandons all hope of any repentance from God.
Satan’s temptations failed for no incentive could make The Son of God bow before any other than God, the Father in Milton’s Paradise Regained. Ultimately, Milton emulates 4 James 7, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” in the final book of Paradise Regained, “So Satan fell and straight a fiery globe (PR.4.581).” The Son of God then returns home to his mother’s home. Works Cited Milton, John. Paradise Regained.
After being banished from heaven, Satan reflects on his evil deeds and considers the option of redeeming himself before God. However, he realizes that he has come too far in his desire to become God’s equal and he commits to his evil ways. He is constantly confronted with choices throughout Paradise Lost and enacts his free will in rejecting God, accepting evil, and striving to become equally powerful over his own
In Book I of Paradise Lost, through the sympathy, glory, and characteristics Milton gives him, Satan begins to look almost like the hero with the plan, confidence, and team to defeat Omnipotent God and take over heaven. Milton establishes Satan right away as a powerful speaker full of authority and cleverness, but someone who also is tortured by pain and fear. It becomes clear of Satan's motives and the control he will have of the story when in lines 159-162 he says, "To do aught good never will be our task,/ But ever to do ill our sole delight,/ As being the contrary to his high will/ Whom we resist." Satan's main objective is to do evil and cause disturbance to everything in his path causing more trouble for God by trying to undo everything he does; which becomes even more obvious at the end of Book I and into Book II when he talks of God's new creation and the desire to corrupt it. As shown throughout Paradise Lost, but beginning in Book 1 when Satan says "Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven", Satan's biggest sin is pride and because of his pride hope is unattainable for him (line 263).