Season 3 Podcast 133 Milton's Paradise Lost, Bk II Pt IV, Satan, Sin, and Death

Milton’s Paradise Lost: Satan, Sin, and DeathIn Pt II of Paradise Lost we discussed the wiles of the devil.  If you are new to Poet’s Corner, let me suggest that you go back to Season 3 Podcast 113 entitled Milton’s Paradise Lost Book I.  It serves as an introduction to Paradise Lost. Following Podcast 113 is Podcast 118, Introduction to Hell, followed by Podcast 128, The Wiles of the Devil. In this Podcast Satan convinces death to open the high gates of hell and in return, she can appease her voracious appetite on earth. In the opening scene Satan presents his plan to the other devils. Rather than try another assault against heaven, Satan suggests that they come to earth and tempt man.  Beelzebub, Satan’s first in command. outlines the plan  What if we findSome easier enterprize? There is a place(If ancient and prophetic fame in Heav’nErr not) another World, the happy seatOf some new Race call’d Man, about this timeTo be created like to us, though lessIn power and excellence, but favour’d moreOf him who rules above; so was his willPronounc’d among the Gods, and by an Oath,That shook Heav’ns whole circumference, confirm’d.Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learnWhat creatures there inhabit, of what mould,Or substance, how endu’d, and what their Power,And where their weakness, how attempted best,By force or suttlety: … here perhapsSome advantageous act may be achiev’dBy sudden onset, either with Hell fireTo waste his whole Creation, or possessAll as our own, and drive as we were driven,The punie habitants, or if not drive,Seduce them to our Party, that their GodMay prove their foe, ….Beelzebub, under the direction of Satan, outlines their plan. ·      To access their power·      To define their weaknesses·      To find the best ways to destroy them by force or by craft·      To drive them to hell·      To seduce them to their party·      To make God appear to be their enemyBeelzebub suggests that the best way to get revenge against God is to bring his children under God’s curse. Satan of course is standing in the shadows, waiting to present himself as their deliverer. Satan imitates God. He presents himself to the fallen angels as a Christ figure who will save them from eternal hell even though he is the one responsible for getting them thrust out of heaven. Satan speaks.O Progeny of Heav’n, Empyreal Thrones,With reason hath deep silence and demurrSeis’d us, though undismayed: long is the wayAnd hard, that out of Hell leads up to Light;Our prison strong, this huge convex of Fire,Outrageous to devour, immures us roundNinefold, and gates of burning AdamantBarr’d over us prohibit all egress.These past, if any pass, the void profoundOf unessential Night receives him nextGo therefore mighty powers,Terror of Heav’n, though fall’n; intend at home,While here shall be our home, what best may easeThe present misery, and render HellMore tolerable; if there be cure or charmTo respite or deceive, or slack the painOf this ill Mansion: intermit no watchAgainst a wakeful Foe, while I abroadThrough all the coasts of dark destruction seekDeliverance for us all: this enterpriseNone shall partake with me.