- Aug 2018
-
www.dartmouth.edu www.dartmouth.edu
-
eader of those Armies bright
In the following verse Satan's status and valour etc is again proclaimed and exalted
-
O Prince, O Chief of many Throned Powers,That led th' imbattelld Seraphim to WarrUnder thy conduct, and in dreadful deeds [ 130 ]Fearless, endanger'd Heav'ns perpetual King;And put to proof his high Supremacy,
Further enhancing Satan's status, as a being of superior qualities
-
yet not for those,Nor what the Potent Victor in his rage [ 95 ]Can else inflict, do I repent or change,Though chang'd in outward lustre; that fixt mindAnd high disdain, from sence of injur'd merit,That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend,And to the fierce contention brought along [ 100 ]Innumerable force of Spirits arm'dThat durst dislike his reign, and me preferring,His utmost power with adverse power oppos'dIn dubious Battel on the Plains of Heav'n,
Heroic qualities of valour, fortitude and stern, bold resolution. A man of action and a leader of others. At the same time as being impetuous and ambitious.
-
Thrice he assayd, and thrice in spight of scorn,Tears such as Angels weep, burst forth: at last [ 620 ]Words interwove with sighs found out thir way.
Maybe this could be seen as an example of Satan's more heroic virtues? His nobility and camaraderie; an acknowledgment of his responsibility to his fellow angels, for it was he who lead them to war and their now lamentable state. Empathising with his troops and preparing to rouse them once again. Or is it his fellow angels that are in tears?
-
Of dauntless courage, and considerate PrideWaiting revenge:
Heroic virtues. Reminds me of the 'wrath of Achilles'
-
Thus far these beyondCompare of mortal prowess, yet observ'dThir dread commander: he above the restIn shape and gesture proudly eminent [ 590 ]Stood like a Towr
Adjectives and similes enhancing Satan's status.
-
The mind is its own place, and in it selfCan make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
Reminds me of Buddhist thought: how the perceptions and views we have about experience can have a dramatic positive or negative effect on our happiness. It also makes me think the power S.T.Coleridge attributes to the imaginal faculty.
-
force hath made supreamAbove his equals.
Satan casting himself as hero fighting tyranny
-
His mighty Stature
Description helping to create a sense of Satan as heroic
-
and in th' excess of joySole reigning holds the Tyranny of Heav'n.
An example of Satan's heroic stance? Engaged in combat against, injustice, despotism, tyranny?
-