After class, I went home and read over my notes from the Paradise Lost lecture, and something I highlighted stuck out to me: Anti-monarchical.
When we consider Satan's role in this work, he defies the normal "religious" structure that has been in place. He questions what makes something sovereign indeed sovereign. The normal structure of God over Man is made askew when Satan emerges as this almost-sympathetic character. God is seen as having "impetuous rage" and "satiate fury", whereas Satan is seen as believing in the ultimate power of the mind, believing in reason over force. In a way, Satan is seen as a symbol of free will and mankind's option to defy God's ways. More so, the story shows that he is indominable.
Perhaps this invention of Evil and introduction of Satan's character is an example of the even split of Catholicism and Protestantism in England during this time? We discussed that Milton allows the question to be open about Authoritarian tyranny, but as we studied Satan's actions more in-depth, it started to become more clear as to how Milton was proposing a re-calibration of the monarchical society that was still dwindling and existing during this time. While the story is interesting in itself, it provides a stark resemblance to the issues of the times.
I really like your post! I love that you compared Satan to the symbol of free will and humanities choice to deny God. In my opinion our free will ultimately comes from God, but the choice to deny God is put their is a more alluring way due to Satan. I also agree that Milton was proposing a new "monarchical society."
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