Analysis: Milton’s Fallen Angles, Moloch Mammon and Belial
Paradise Lost is considered as one of the most influential works from the early modern year. Milton’s use of Satan’s point of view captures a different position to the classic epic, the “Creation of Man.” Satan is a character of great power and emotion, Milton has created a beast that holds none of the redeeming qualities one would expect from a rational person. After Satan’s fall, most reactions would be for him to keep the consequences of his actions; yet Satan is not able to do so. Using the fallen angels as an out for normal emotions, Milton is able to showcase Satan’s nonhuman characteristics. In book II of Paradise Lost, John Milton illustrates what might be felt by human beings after the fall through the speeches of Moloch, Mammon and Belial, with each of the fallen angels representing different human emotions, arrogance, acceptance and slothfulness.
Milton illustrates arrogance through Moloch’s speech. Moloch derives from the Hebrew word “king” (UCADIA Books 1) and rightly so Moloch seeks to wage war on God’s army as soon as Satan is defeated. Moloch is portrayed as a fierce warrior: “the strongest and fiercest spirit that fought in heaven; now fiercer by despair,” (Milton II: 44).
Before speaking Moloch is characterized as brawn over brain (Zeng 1).
When he first speaks, he states that he would rather wage war then sit and plot a new strategy. “My sentence is for open Warr… let those contrive who need, or when they need, not now,” (Milton II: 51).
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Paradise Lost: Milton's Approach To Lust, Sex, Paradise Lost: Milton's Approach To Lust, Sex, And Violence Paradise Lost: Milton's Approach To Lust, Sex, and Violence There is no reason to apply modern theories to Milton if we do not care whether Milton remains alive. However, if we wish him to be more than a historical artifact, we must do more than just study him against the background of his ...
Moloch’s character demonstrates how arrogance can be an emotion someone or something feels after defeat. Moloch would rather die than be defeated, and survive as he says “More destroy’d then thus we should be quite abolisht and expire,”(Milton II: 92).
However, towards the end of his speech there is a loss of arrogance as he would rather sacrifice himself then to be stuck in Hell. He acknowledges the battle cannot be won and would rather continuously attack Heaven or be killed by God as he says, “Which if not Victory is yet Revenge,” (Milton II: 105).
This act of pride depicts Moloch’s arrogance and pride filled rage; very common human like traits. As Moloch preaches arrogance, the other angle Belial has an opposing opinion.
Milton represents the human emotion of slothfulness through Belial’s words and charm. The first depiction of Belial creates an image of a con artist: good looking, well mannered but sharp-tongued. As Milton says: “A fairer person lost not Heav’n; he seemd for dignity compos’d and high exploit: But all was false and hollow,” (line 110).
Belial’s description compliments his name, as in Hebrew Belial means ‘worthless’ (Behind the Name 1).
Throughout his speech Belial’s words are pleasing to hear but lack conviction. Compared this to when Satan is able to convince Eve to eat the forbidden fruit with great success (Zeng 1).
Belial’s speech goes against the plans of Moloch and shows that Belial would much rather do nothing. All throughout Belial’s speech, he advocates not to take up arms but rather be lethargic. For example, at line 119 Belial says:
“I should be much for open Warr, O Peers,
As not behind in hate; if what was urg’d
Main reason to persuade immediate Warr,
Did not disswade me most, and seem to cast
Ominous conjecture on the whole success:”
This passage shows his true nature of slothfulness. At first he tries to convince the other devils that he is for war, yet he proceeds to say how it would be a useless war based on death and revenge. Later on in his speech, he conveys the message that God would not “give his Enemies thir wish and en them in his anger,” (Milton II: 157).
The Essay on John Milton God Satan First
Although John Milton was raised in London, his father was raised in Oxfordshire. So Milton had a city background as well as a rural one. Not only did he have the knowledge of two different cultures he was brought up in the difference of religious beliefs. His father, John Milton Senior, was raised by a devout Roman Catholic. However, later in life, John Milton Sr. switched his beliefs to the ...
Therefore, it would be easier not to partake, according to Belial. This reaction to the situation of the Fall is one expressed by a pessimist, only looking at defeat as an option. By having Satan go against slothfulness, Milton shows the reader how different and proud Satan truly is in his character.
Thirdly, Mammon has a similar opinion as Belial but rather than slothfulness he seeks acceptance, as he says “Seek our own good from ourselves, and from own live to ourselves,” (Milton II: 252).
His plan would be to accept their outcome rather then take up arms against God. His characteristic demonstrates how some people accept the consequences of their actions. Mammon in Hebrew translates to “greed” (Mammon 1).
This does not coincide with Mammon’s plan, he is telling the fallen angels to accept what they have and to not seek more. On the other hand, Milton’s God has a different view of what greed entails. God perceives greed as seeing oneself as sufficient, essentially not needing dependence on God. For example, once Eve has taken the forbidden fruit she does not depend on God for insight and knowledge thus demonstrating greed in God’s eyes. Therefore, in this understanding Mammon is actually counseling greed to the other devils by telling them to be self-sufficient and make a new home in hell (Zeng 1).
Milton use of Mammon to convey the emotion of acceptance. This highlights the fact that Satan cannot accept the consequences of his actions.
In conclusion, Milton uses the fallen angels as ways of expressing the different human rationales one might have after a defeat. By using the angels to express such feelings as greed, slothfulness and acceptance, Milton is able to depict Satan as a character unworthy of redemption. Satan’s characterization in Paradise Lost is one that has been studied for centuries; his pride and lack for redemption make him into a character unlike any normal human. This character is exactly why Milton’s Satan is able to emphasize different aspects of human nature without being a human.
Works Cited:
“Behind the Name: Meaning, Origin and History of the Name Belial.” Behind the Name. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. http://www.behindthename.com/name/belial.
The Essay on Paradise Lost Satan Milton God
In Paradise Lost, John Milton gives great eminence to the character of Satan. The author divides the characters in his epic poem into two sides: one side under God representing good and eternal providence, and the other side under Satan, representing evil and sin. This creature went from a beautiful, perfect being named Lucifer, living in the light and glory of heaven, to Satan, the prince of ...
“Mammon.” Mammon. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Mammon.html
Milton, John. “Paradise Lost Book II.” Paradise Lost. New Arts Library, n.d. Web. <http://www.paradiselost.org/lmg/Book-2.html>.
UCADIA Books. “Gods and Goddesses.” One Evil: Moloch. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. http://one-evil.org/content/entities_gods_moloch.html.
Zeng, Nicholas. “THE CHARACTERS OF PARADISE LOST.” Darnkess Visible: The Characters of Paradise Lost. Christ’s College, n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2013. http://darknessvisible.christs.cam.ac.uk/characters/fallen_angels.html.
