Satan's Vengeful Spirit// Brooke Bradley

Although Satan’s corruption is obvious, there are some qualities about him that subtly influence the audience to empathize with him. One of these qualities is his mourning over being cast out of heaven. It is clear that he is distraught by this turn of events, and he grieves it. While this does bring him grief, he also clearly expresses that he does not regret his decision. He would gladly do it again. For Satan, there is a clear disconnect between his actions and the consequences that ensue. He says the following in regards to God’s love and his own fall: “To me alike it deals eternal woe. Nay, cursed be though; since against his thy will… Which way shall I fly Infinite wrath and infinite despair? Which way I fly is Hell” (70-75). Although John Milton presents a clear conflict here with Satan’s thoughts and emotions, it is also evident that Satan has made his choice, and that is to embrace Hell and reign. This decision manifests itself in many ways, one being his plan of vengeance on Adam and Eve. When God creates man, Satan is filled with anger and jealousy. Therefore, he plots to seduce man into their fall, just as he once fell.

Comments

  1. Raygan BosterSeptember 13, 2021 at 10:23 PM

    I think it's interesting how satan does consider repentance, but one of the things that steers him in the opposite direction is the fact that if he does, he will have to worship God again for eternity. It shows us even more that his arrogance is so incredibly strong that it overshadows any type of remorse and even suffering in hell.

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  2. Abigale BellSeptember 13, 2021 at 10:57 PM

    Hi Brooke! I thought the same things when reading this passage. I definitely started to empathize with Satan. How sad to see the beauty of Eden yet know that you can't take part in it? How sad that Satan was so jealous of Adam and Eve in the garden? Satan makes a striking anti-hero in this story.

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  3. Breanna PooleSeptember 14, 2021 at 8:16 AM

    Satan has made it his mission to be the opposite of everything God is -- where God creates and celebrates life, Satan destroys and perverts beauty. Satan is filled with grief over everything he lost, but it is a superficial grief as he does not grief his life with God but rather the perks he got out of it. I enjoyed your post!

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