The Satan of "Paradise Lost"

In John Milton's epic "Paradise Lost", one highly identifiable character would be Satan. During the story, he is referred to by several names, all of them associated with his opposition to God. A few names given to him by the author would be arch-fiend and apostate angel. He is also compared in size and intent to evil creatures such as the Titans Briareos or Typhon, or "that sea-beast/ Leviathan, which God of all his works/ created hugest that swim th' ocean stream," (Greenblatt et al, 2006, p. 1836). All of the recurrent motifs related to Satan showcase his ego and his aim to overthrow God. By comparing him to large creatures, he is center-stage and hard to miss. Not only that, but the creatures Satan was compared to have Christian ties to "Satan's revolt and punishment," (Greenblatt et al, 2006, p. 1836).

The reader is always reminded of Satan's combative nature with God, especially when his kingdom is described to be filled with lakes of fire, volcanoes, raging winds, stench and smoke, (Greenblatt et al, 2006, p. 1837). Satan himself details what Heaven looks like, and it is nothing like the Hell in which he must now reside: "that celestial light [...] Farewell happy fields/ Where joy forever dwells: Hail horrors, hail/ infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell," (Greenblatt et al, 2006, p. 1838). He has no problem renouncing the light of Heaven for darker pastures. Satan enjoys being as far away from God as possible, since distance is another form of rebellion.

References:

Greenblatt, et al. (Eds.). (2006). Teaching with the Norton anthology of English literature (8th ed.).New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company

Fire and Brimstone

If "Pilgrims and Puritans literally believed that all humankind was stained by Adam's fall,", one has to wonder how much further they would cast their judgments on modern society.

One such Puritan, Jonathan Edwards, condemned many for their lifestyle choices, including "wicked, unbelieving Israelites,". In his sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, there are several statements he makes that alludes to the belief that humankind is inherently tainted, like "The use of this awful subject may be for awakening unconverted persons in this congregation [...] That world of misery, that lake of burning brimstone, is extended abroad under you,".

To further scare his congregation into compliance, Edwards goes on to describe how the wicked among them shall be punished, "There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God; there is hell's wide gaping mouth open; and you have nothing to stand upon, nor any thing to take hold of; there is nothing between you and hell but the air; it is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up,".

A sermon delivered by Edwards in the 21st century would not have the same impact as it did in 1741, because many of the modern populace believes in a more forgiving God than the angry torturer described in detail in Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. In 1741, perhaps churchgoers believed that if they had one sinful thought or committed one sinful deed, then God would come down upon them with all of the wrath he could muster. In today's world, people adhere to a moral code, but not one that is so restricted based on fear of retaliation from their God. Hopefully, modern individuals adheres to a moral code because they know it is the right thing to do, God or no God.