Essay on Miltons Paradise Lost -Satan’s Myth of Free Will

Satan’s Myth of Free Will in Paradise Lost Milton, through Satans soliloquies in Book 4, shows that Satans idea of free will is a facade, and God carefully manipulates him to fulfill his plan of Adam and Eves fall. While speaking, Satan inadvertently places doubts in the readers mind that his will is free. Satan proves through his actions that God created him to act in a very narrow range, even though he himself does not realize this. The combination of pride, ambition, abhorrence of subordination, and ignorance of his own state as a puppet lead to perpetually diminishing stature and divinity. Satan introspects in the first soliloquy (lines 32-113), searching for the motivation and reasoning behind his fall. He†¦show more content†¦Satan cannot stand the idea of subjection, and this also leads to his fall. It is a thoroughly Satanic idea that gratitude to God for creation is an immense debt (4.52), and this also was present before his fall. Satan reasons that repentance is futile, and neither possible by him or allowable by God (4.103-4). Satan says that if he were pardoned, it would not take him long to unsay / what feigned submission swore, because reconcilement cannot grow where hate resides so deeply (4.95-99). Therefore, even if given a second chance, Satan would choose to fall once more. This ties in with the meaning of second soliloquy, presented later. The carefully placed line breaks in the phrase Behold, instead / Of us outcast, exiled, his new delight, / Mankind created, (4.105-7) suggest that not only does mankind please God, but the fall of Satan and his followers also pleases Him. Also, it is natural for Satan to turn his eyes to Adam and Eve. Satan believes this to be a devious plot devised by him, but in fact it is what God has in mind, as the fall was necessary in order to have Jesus descend later to offer mankind salvation. Satans conclusion that evil will be his good (4.110) also is in Gods plan, and is not a result of Satans choosing; it is the only course of action he is presented that suits his personality. The second soliloquyShow MoreRelatedFall from Grace: Satan as a Spiritually Corrupt Hero in Miltons Paradise Lost2859 Words   |  12 PagesFall From Grace: Satan as a Spiritually Corrupt Hero in Miltons Paradise Lost Can Satan -- a being, so evil that even as an Ethereal being of Heaven, who was cast out of Gods grace - be a hero? John Miltons Satan in Paradise Lost is very much a romanticized character within the epic poem, and there has been much debate since the poems publishing in 1667 over Miltons sentiments and whether Satan is the protagonist or a hero. As an angel in God the Fathers Heaven, Satan rose up with a groupRead MoreEssay about Satan in Paradise Lost and The Myth of Sisyphus2209 Words   |  9 Pages Satans predicament after he falls in Paradise Lost is utterly hopeless, yet he chooses to persevere. He reasons that he should continue to struggle, even though he is aware that it is entirely in vain. The process he follows to arrive at this choice is similar to the process Albert Camus will use to justify the unrelenting toil of his absurd man. Before this becomes apparent, portions of Satan as a character must be eliminated from consideration, because they present an int ractable setRead MoreThe Vampire Lestat and the Problem of Eternal Damnation Essay3601 Words   |  15 Pagesadvantage in modern society; he has seen the world change around him. He was awoken from his slumber to the sound of Satans Night Out, he believes them to look like angels `They looked like biblical angels, with their long clean shaggy hair and feline movements; their jewellery was Egyptian.(Rice, 1995: 18 The Vampire Lestat) Lestat enjoys making biblical references, if Satans Night Out were angels, then that would make Lestat God. He is in control of the bands destiny and their lives as he makes