What Irony! -- Abigale Bell

 As we read Paradise Lost, we continue to see and comment on Satan's overall human characteristics. He's jealous of humanity and the perfection that they have in the garden of Eden. He is hungry for more power that he cannot have. In a way, Satan is the picture of sinful man. The events of book 10 continue to illustrate this point. 

One thing that struck me when reading book 10 was the fact that even when Satan's plan was accomplished, it backfired. Adam and Eve's fall had been orchestrated and Satan thought the world was in his hand, he still didn't gain anything. 

Think about this:

Eve ate the fruit. She shared it with Adam. Both of them fell into a state of lust and shame. The curse of their sin was cast over them and the rest of the earth. Satan brought all of this about and boasts that he is wiser than God; that he ruined God's plan for Eden. 

"Thine now is all this world, thy virtue hath won/ That thy hands builded not, thy wisdom gained...avenged/ Our foil in Heaven. Here thou shalt monarch reign" (372-375). 

Satan and his army had been defeated in Heaven so they now rule on earth instead. Satan continued to boast that he deceived Eve and brought revenge against God through an apple. 

"To range in and to bell and over Man/ To rule as over all he should have ruled" (492-493).

The fallen angels now rule earth where man should have ruled. Yet, as Satan tells this story, God shows that he does not have the control he thinks he does. Instead of the applause and worship he expects from his followers when concludes this tale of grandeur, Satan receives only the hiss of snakes. All the fallen angels have been turned into snakes. Finally, Satan himself is turned into a snake. A snake having been the ver tool of his deceit. As soon as they take on their form, they are filled with insatiable desire and forced to eat fruit that turns to ashes in their mouths. God has shown His true sovereignty and power. 

Satan and his angels suffered a fall just like Adam and Eve, although by God's just hand and not Satan's deceit. Just as Adam and Eve ate the fruit and were filled with lustful desire, so Satan wished for food. Just as Adam and Eve saw the beauty of knowledge, but only gained despair and dissatisfaction, so Satan saw the fruit, but it turned to ashes in his mouth. 

I find it interesting that Satan feels the repercussions of sin just like the humans did. Their fall was his own in a way. What irony!

Commented on Emma Landry and Ian Blair's posts. 

Comments

  1. Emily ThullesenSeptember 27, 2021 at 4:27 PM

    This was a very interesting point! I have noticed the same type of similarity all throughout Paradise Lost. It seems almost weird thinking that Satan is a “relatable” being, but in fact he is. He experienced the same type of downfall that we did, due to sin. This comparison seems almost dehumanizing in a way for people, but it is the hard truth that we are all corrupt with sin and evil. Thankfully, we have the grace of God because he loves us so much.
    -Emily Thullesen

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  2. Brooke BradleySeptember 27, 2021 at 7:14 PM

    This is a wonderful post. I especially like how you mentioned how Satan's angels were turned into snakes and they were cursed to eat fruits that turned to ashes in their mouths. This is so poetic. I think the underlying statement of this is that their is no satisfaction outside of God, and works done apart from him will vanish.

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  3. Emily OttsSeptember 27, 2021 at 11:25 PM

    I definitely see the irony after you mention it! Satan and his demons falling after making mankind fall reminds me of the saying "you reap what you sow." Satan sowed a fall into man and ended up reaping one for himself.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Mahn-sterSeptember 27, 2021 at 11:48 PM

    It is very ironic that Satan's greatest victory has been turned into a defeat. And done so by God, the very one they were trying to oppose through their machinations. It is also ironic that the lie of the serpent turns to truth, he lied about having eaten the fruit, but now, it is all the food he has.

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