Milton’s Paradise Lost: The Story of Satan’s Power Politics

In paradise Lost, Book I & international ampere II the power bark in the midst of daimon, his followers on the one hand and god and his angels on the some other provides a good spirit level with dramatic conflict. In Book I deuce who durst defy the Omnipotent to arms emerges as leader of a rebel group who argon overwhelmed by their outset defeat entirely non tot all(prenominal)y overcome. As a penalty of his ambition and audacity, monster and his comrades were hurled headlong from the ethereal sky to bottomless perdition. (Bk.I.l.45)Like a statesman with strategic insight he converts this defeat as a springboard for the following battle and accordingly inspires his followers with a th beneathous key What though the field be lost?/All is not lost the unsubduable will,/ And study of revenge, immortal hate,(ll.105-07) He instills a confidence in his comrades that conquest and defeat are in the hands of the fighters. So his clarion call to his army is addressed to boost their morale and shake off their slump Awake, arise, or be for ever move. (l.330)There is also the hint that the send-off battle was lost due to lack of experience and a unsatisfactory strategy. Moreover, the strength of the enemy (the Almighty) was also not kn sustain. Now with hindsight they washstand counterfeit a better strategy for an embarking on a war that can end only in triumph. Besides, he has a worthy deputy sheriff in Beelzebub who has groovy admiration for the general and mobilize the army. The story of struggle between the ambitious and scheming demon and the Almighty has all the ingredients of a good plot a bold and strong anti-hero as the protagonist, the vivid descriptive and narrative power, the sublime epos style, the dramatic dialogues and the proficiency of beginning the story in the middle of action.Nine days after their project from the bliss of enlightenment, Satan and his followers lie stupefied in the enthusiastic lake of underworld. Then he ri ses and awakens his worthy Second-in-Command to lead his army to the scorching dry out land and hold a meeting to devise the winning strategy. Presently, a vast council chamber is built to hold a conference of the great Angels. Readers attention is arrested by the suspense nearly the nature of crime for which such(prenominal) harsh punishment has been meted out to them. Members of Satans inner bunch Moloch, Belial and Mammon &8212 offer their opinions, but it is Beelzebubs suggestion about on the QT ruining perfections new creation that is accepted as a fitting revenge against the Almighty.As none offers to undertake this perilous task, Satan volunteers to take the voyage to the earth after passing through the Hell gate and Chaos. Milton has used flash back technique to present foregoing events with the encourage of dreams, reminiscences and conversations (in Books V-VIII) It seems in Satan Milton has subconsciously created a character for whom he feels sympathy and admirati on. But C.S. Lewis refutes this view in A Preface to heaven Lost It may mean that Miltons presentation of him is a kingly poetical achievement which engages the attention and excites the admiration of the reader. (Lewis.94)The setting of Hell is an integral part of Miltons epic style. It is appropriate as place for punishment of the expelled angels. But Satan with his ingenuity turns it into an advantage by erecting a vast palace called Pandemonium. There he hatches the conspiracy to destroy Gods creation. Hell also highlights the change of scenario for the angels who have fallen from grace. Milton gives us a vivid account of the flaming hell without light and the abominable plight of the fallen angels writhing in pain.The vanquished followers of Satan who put entranced/ thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks.(ll.301-02). Milton further portrays them with looks/ downcast and part have tack their chief/ not in despair, to have found themselves not lost/ in loss itself (ll.522-26) To the dejected followers comes the shake call Cherub and Seraph rolling in the flood/ with scattered arms and ensign, The congregating of the fallen angels at Pademonium is described with due pomp Of trumpets crummy and clarions be upreared/ his mighty standard (ll.532-33)The fighting spirit of the downcast and dull followers are raised with the help of sonorous metal blowing activist sounds and ten thousand colorful banners fluttering in the wind and serried shields in thick array convey the impression of the preparation of a counter attack. The imperial ensignwith gems and golden luster rich emblazed,/ sweet-flavored arms and trophies(ll.538-39). We originate a grand impression of Satan in shape and gesture proudly eminent/ stood alike a editorial (ll.590-91) his face/ deep scars of thunder had intrenched under brows of dauntless courage, and considerable ostentation (ll.600-603) The wealth of details truly conforms to the epic tradition and adds to its g randeur.Millions of rebellious invigorate thus stand suffering silently with loyalty and devotion to their commandant even after being flung from their eternal splendor, driven out of bliss, condemned/ in his abhorred deep to utter woe/ where pain of unextinguishable fire (Bk.II.ll.86-88). Satans makes a dramatic escape from Hell with a view to covertly strike God by sabotaging his beautiful creation. However, according to F.R. Leavis, After the first two books, magnificent in their simple force (party politics in the Grand Style Milton can compass), Paradise Lost, though there are intervals of relief, becomes dull and empty all, as Raleigh says, is power, vagueness, and grandeur. Miltons inadequacy to myth, in fact, is so inescapable(Leavis 61)If the setting of Paradise Lost is changed, we have a new story. In modern era a person of Satans caliber would be hailed as an irrepressible leader of the emulation party in a country with democratic set up. His finish would be to dislod ge the belief party in power in the election. He would aim to convince people by highlighting the governing bodys failures and underestimating its achievement. Naturally, there would neither be God nor Satan, neither Heaven nor Hell, neither angels nor devils in the new scenario. The ambition to rule would not be regarded a punishable offence.Examples and parallels abound. Many countries in Asia now have militant groups of separatists who declare themselves as Liberation Force that wage armed battles against their own government for freedom and autonomy (naming them would be unwise). Satans design has affinity with a militant trade union leader who sometimes, like Lech Walesa in Poland, can win election and become the President. In stead of brute force the opposition leader uses his political strategies and chat skill to convince majority of the voters that the ruling party is at faulting and their country will be safer in the hands of his political party.In U.K. the Labor part y won the election overthrowing their rival Tories in 1994 under the leadinghip of Tony Blair. It is the business of the opposition to pick holes in the performance of the ruling party. He would criticize their policies, attack their inefficiency, expose their corruption and project them as responsible for countrys backwardness. He would offer better plans and strategies to get the country out of the mess. He does not have to fight physically to defeat his rival like Satan, but the methods of attack have much(prenominal) resemblance.As Satan says our better part remains/ to work in closing design, by fraud or guile, (Bk.I.ll.645-46) and his continual emphasis on victory For who can think submission? War then, war/ open or understood must be resolved. (ll.661-62) The opposition leader often resorts to disparaging remarks and undermining the image of his rival as Satan debunks God, Who now triumphs, and in superabundance of joy/ sole prevailing holds the tyranny of heaven. (ll.1 23-24) The political rival is presented as oppressor.The main difference is that in Miltons world there no neutral voters who decide the fate of the leaders. It is God and his angels are in power, and Satan and his ambitious followers endeavor to dethrone Him. Like real livelihood politics there are fence-sitters and defectors in Paradise Lost. The rebel leaders meeting in Book II to discuss and debate their strategies has a parallel in modern politics. It may be argued that Miltons ghostly epic still have relevance in a worldly world. Satans story is everymans search for power and his struggle to gain it.The underlying theme of Satans struggle against God and his angels is that of search for power and motivate a demoralized group of fallen angels and a determination to sacrifice everything to conquer Heaven and rule it. As Satan proclaims to be weak is miserable,/ Doing or suffering (ll.157-58) To wage by force or guile eternal war,/ Irreconcileable to our grand foe, (ll.121-22) The main characters, the epic style, the inspiring speech, and the preparation for a perpetual war all help to develop the theme of pursuit of power and the use all delegacy to get it. Satan shows the right mindset of a winner who would not accept anything short of victory as he speaks candidly about it To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell/Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven.(Bk.I.ll.262-63) Satan represents the freedom-loving individualist who also demonstrates great pragmatic sense by adapting himself to the harsh realities of Hell and consoles himself with his mental insight The mind is its own place, and in itself/ Can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven. (Bk.I.ll.254-255)Work CitedLewis, C.S. A Preface to Paradise Lost. London. O.U.P. 1984Leavis, F.R. Revaluation. Harmondsworth. Penguin.1972Abrams, M.H. & Greenblatt, Stephen. The Norton Anthology of English Literature.(7th ed) New York. W.W.Norton & Co. 2001. pp.722-764April 28, 2008