Satan the Stupid

I am loving Paradise Lost so far. Especially once I found myself in the middle of chapter three. I found that I was retaining much more than I thought I was and that I was already invested in the characters. This is especially true because of how the character of Satan begins to develop. I had certain expectations about how his character would be portrayed going in. I wasn't so naive to think Satan would be a little red man with horns and a pitch fork yet I was surprised by how Milton characterizes Satan.

He doesn't know anything! He is trying to find his way around and he is lost at certain points even. Not only that but he doesn't recognize the characters at hell's gate (and hell is his own domain). He even must ask for directions from another angel as he is trying to find man to temp. I was surprised by this because I expected him to be much more knowledgeable about the goings on in heaven and earth. This in turn would make him more intimidating in my eyes. But because he is so vulnerable and ignorant of time and place and events, it causes him to be way less intimidating than I believed. Which I love.

The cherry on top is that in contrast God, of course, sees and knows all. He "sees Satan flying towards this world, then...foretells the success of Satan in perverting Mankind...". While Satan is flying around searching for his destination God already knows what will happen and has a plan already being executed.

Obvious truths put on display in such a creative and enjoyable way. Thanks Milton.

P.S. I commented on Abbey's blog.