Milton’s description of Satan in lines 192-241 presents a conflicting view of Satan: he is presented as vast and mighty, but he is simultaneously subordinated to God. The diction of this passage – using words such as “huge” (l. 196), “monstrous size” (l. 197), “hugest” (l. 202), and “mighty stature” (l. 222) – combined with Milton’s comparison of Satan to the enormous Titans and the mysteriously large Leviathon, produces an immensely large and powerful image of the devil. At the same time, however, Satan is lying
Chained on the burning lake, nor ever thence
Had risen or heaved his head, but that the will
And high permission of all-ruling Heaven
Left him at large to his dark designs (ll. 210-213).
Thus, the description of Satan’s greatness serves primarily to reveal the remarkableness of God’s superiority. Satan is a mighty warrior, sure, but God has him “chained.” Satan cannot so much as raise his head without the “high permission of all-ruling Heaven.” The juxtaposition of descriptions of Satan’s immensity with the description of his explicitly subordinate position to God and Heaven emphasizes the all-encompassing, almighty power of God. Even a creature as great and large as the Titans and as Leviathon is powerless to act without God’s permission. Milton characterizes Satan as a creature with heroic qualities, but all of these qualities of greatness are perverted within the devil and serve to create an evil character with evil designs. Ultimately, however, God prevails; the devil’s power cannot hold a candle to God’s magnificence.
I agree that Satan's influence is juxtaposed to God, especially because Milton cites that "al his malice served but to bring forth/ Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy"; this shows that despite all of Satan's efforts, God truly controls the universe.
ReplyDeleteI think the descriptions of Satan as a powerful warrior are revealed by him in his speech prior to this description. It seems Satan is a general of sorts. Satan also displays insecurity, which I think also supports your claim that he is subordinate to God.
ReplyDeleteGod is portrayed in this book as the ultimate and most powerful force. However, Satan is described as powerful and determined. Once he is defeated, all he wants to do is try again to defeat God. He never gives up and says that "to do aught good will never be our task" (159). Satan's motives are purely evil, but Milton still seems to describe him in a positive and admirable light. But, Milton also says that God is the only one that can defeat Satan, which means that he is not actually all that great.
ReplyDeleteLucifer meaning "of the light" ascribes to great domination over every living and immortal thing. However, God 's light is the most pure and Lucifer's only the fragmented light of the kaleidoscope.
ReplyDeleteThus, Satan cannot create anything of real purity; only the ability to twist his creation into distortion.