An Infernal Council // Justin Johnson

            In Book ii of Paradise Lost, we see Satan and his fellow rebels come together to debate their next move after taking some time to get settled in Hell (as much as such a thing is possible.) What we see is actually somewhat akin to a group of philosophers getting together for a debate than a fight between scorned warriors of Hell. One by one these most accursed philosophers present their arguments for what end they and their fellow demons should seek. Moloch speaks first, presenting the argument that when you’ve reached the pits of hell, there is nowhere to go but up. He sees not a need for covert operation but instead advocates for direct and open war with heaven as merely a continuation of their previous vain escapades. The others, however, see this plan’s fundamental flaws from the beginning. Other, more sensible approaches are proposed, from Belial’s suggestion of simply coping and making best with what little they have, to Mammon’s defiant embrace of their torment as superior to forced worship in paradise, to Beelzebub’s accepted suggestion to instead set their sights on the corruption of God’s newest and proudest creation. These arguments are all at some level thought out and rationalized, yet all present fundamentally futile approaches against the omnipotent God whose ire they have drawn in their insolence. Despite all of their efforts, propositions, and plots, none of their suggested paths of behavior come out with them on top. The author shows an inherent futility in their scheming and debate. Beelzebub and Satan’s plan is (at least to their fellow demonic host) obviously the best and most logical choice among those discussed, but as we know from the Bible it too is destined for ultimate failure in the end. The corruption of the Earth is the option among those presented best positioned to wreak havoc on God’s creation, but even still it will ultimately be a fruitless endeavor. I think Milton is here making a commentary on the nature of earthly philosophy and debate. When you’ve been separated from God, even the most well thought out plans and ideas are all for naught. If this be the case, this approach to philosophy actually reminds me of the early church father Tertullian who I’ve recently learned about in church history class. He presented the idea that with God and scripture, there is no room left for philosophy as earthly (or in the case of the devils in Paradise Lost, hellish) logic is at its core fundamentally flawed in the face of our eternal God.

            This is not an approach I agree with, as philosophical debate and reason can be and has been an incredible tool for evangelism and the spreading of the gospel, but I can see the message that is being presented here as even in the council of innumerable (ex)heavenly beings the path of argument leads only to failure and the continuation of grief and destruction.