Paradise Lost Question

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File: 1446189173209.jpg (272.49 KB, 975x1210, 195:242, Gustave-Dore-Paradise-Lost….jpg)

Paradise Lost Question Anonymous 10/30/15 (Fri) 07:12:52 No.7318

I'm sure there's got to be someone on /lit/ who's read Paradise Lost, and has read up on context and can understand Milton's English better than me.

Excerpt in question, when Satan is arguing with Abdiel (Book V, Lines 853-864):

>That we were form'd then say'st thou? and the work

>Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd

>From Father to his Son? Strange point and new;

>Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd, who saw

>When this creation was? remeber'st thou

>Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being?

>We know no time when we were not as now;

>Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'd

>By our own quick'ning power, when fatal course

>Had circled his full orb, the birth mature

>Of this our native heaven, ethereal sons.

>Our puissance is our own………………

Is Satan arguing that the angels were never created, but just budded out of Heaven without God's help? That's what it seems like, but I'm pretty sure that's counter to Christian theology (atheist, so I wouldn't bet my life on it). Is Milton introducing his own theology here?

Anonymous 10/30/15 (Fri) 14:47:35 No.7322

>Is Milton introducing his own theology here?

No. Satan is though.

What Milton is doing is excellent characterization. Despite his engaging delivery, contemporary audiences would have maintained their straightforward view of Satan as the Father of Lies; this being unlike modern interpretations that paint him more in the mythical silkscreen shades of Che Guevara.

For the record I prefer the modern view. More importantly, whichever one chooses, Milton's technique and presentation of characterization here is awesome.

Anonymous 10/31/15 (Sat) 15:25:57 No.7325

>>7322

>modern interpretations that paint him more in the mythical silkscreen shades of Che Guevara

I didn't know Che Guevara had a unique interpretation of Satan. Could you expand on this?

Anonymous 10/31/15 (Sat) 21:21:10 No.7327

File: 1446326470098.png (25.54 KB, 487x599, 487:599, Der pop Cheez.png)

>>7325

Knowing Che was a writer I would not be surprised to learn if he did.

However, what I am doing is drawing a parallel between the mythologized presentation of another modern icon with how current readers uncritically default to interpreting Milton's Satan in an heroic light.

As with Che there is more to the background of the story, making it a bit more interesting and far more compelling to study.

Anonymous 10/31/15 (Sat) 23:51:09 No.7330

>>7325

>child rapist

>executed 1000+ people including a 14 year old

>stole from the working class

>tortured animals

Anonymous 10/31/15 (Sat) 23:54:02 No.7331

>>7327

Oh. That's an interesting analogy.

>>7330

In which work does Che characterize Satan in that way? Or is it universal in all of his writings?