What is happening?
Milton beings Paradise Lost on the shameful demise of Satan and his fellow fallen angels for revolting against God and His Will. Resultantly, Satan is expelled from Heaven and wrapped in the thunderbolt, he is thrown into the burning abyss of Hell. Satan seeks vengeance on God's 'injustice' by the firm resolution of "turning good into evil".
God Almighty has established a supremely beautiful place known as Paradise and He has crafted Adam and Eve to live in the heart of Paradise, which is renowned as Garden of Eden.
Satan decides to invade into the newly created word. After having warned by Gabriel, Satan continuously travels around the earth seven times in the darkness of the night so that he may not be caught by the watchful eyes of the angels, guarding Heaven and Paradise. Satan takes the form of a mist to enter into Paradise.
Satan's Mental Agony
Satan's character, when he enters into Eden, begins to fluctuate. In Book 1, Satan is seen declaring to continue war against the good but in Eden, Satan is deeply bewitched by the beauty of the earthly Paradise. He says,
O Earth, how like to Heaven, if not preferr'd
More Justly. Seat worthier of Gods
This is the beginning of Satan's mental conflict, who once proclaimed that he possessed an unconquerable will. Practically, his "strong will power" is weakened by the enchanting scenery of Eden. He craves that he was a resident of that serene place which he praises as thus,
That shine, yet bear thir bright officious Lamps
If I could joy in aught, sweet interchange
Of Hill, and Vallie, Rivers, Woods and Plaines,
Now Land, now Sea, and Shores with Forrest crownd,
Having uttered these remarks, Satan indirectly complains that why God created this beautiful realm for Man only? In his mental agony, Satan forgets his core and sole motive behind his arrival in Eden. But his aim is vaguely restored after his mental disdain and he searches for an animal to ensnare Eve in his web of vengeance.
Suggested Readings and References
- https://www.dartmouth.edu/~milton/reading_room/pl/book_9/text.shtml
- https://www.cliffsnotes.com/literature/p/paradise-lost/summary-and-analysis/book-ix
- Image by kalhh from Pixabay
