Portrayals of Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost: A Fictional Exploration

Thomas1 Milton's "Paradise Lost" is a monumental work that explores the fall of Satan and the subsequent events leading to the fall of Adam and Eve. However, an integral question often lingers: how did Satan look before his transformation into a serpent? This article delves into the complexities of the character's physical form, drawing on Milton's verses and the imaginative capabilities of human thought.

Understanding the Metaphysical and Physical

The text's complexity lies in its dual nature, blending spiritual and corporeal realms. Raphael, as portrayed in Book V, expresses the difficulty of conveying celestial events:

I shall delineate them, by likening spiritual to corporeal forms, as may express them best.

This statement underscores the inherent challenge of representing ethereal beings in human terms. Milton employs analogies and descriptions that blur the line between the physical and metaphysical, requiring the reader to interpret the deeper meanings behind the words.

For instance, Raphael's description of the Battle of Heaven is an illustrative example:

As onely in his arm the moment lay / Of victorie deeds of eternal fame

These lines underscore the abstract yet vivid imagery Milton crafts, challenging the reader to visualize the transcendent.

Angelics Unbound: The Essence of Angels

Angels in "Paradise Lost" are described as beings without a fixed shape:

For Spirits, when they please, / Can either Sex assume or both so soft / And uncompounded is their Essence pure / Not tied or manacled with joint or limb / Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones / But in what shape they choose dilate or condense / Bright or obscure, can use their airy purposes / And works of love or enmity fulfill.

This essence of flexibility suggests that the physical form of fallen angels remains variable, depending on their desires and the tasks at hand. However, this quality is not without its implications, as seen in Satan's transformation:

But first he casts to change his proper shape / Which else might work him danger or delay:

Satan's ability to change form implies a mutable state, indicating that the physical appearances of angels, when they choose to manifest, are subject to their will rather than set rules.

The Feral and Potent Impurity

Michael and Lucifer appear in various forms, often human-like with wings. This dual nature highlights the fluidity of their physical manifestations. For example, Michael is described as:

…th' Arch-Angel soon drew nigh / Not in his shape celestial but as man / Clad to meet man

This change in form further emphasizes the adaptability of angels, who present themselves in ways most conducive to their interactions.

Satan's Transformation and Deception

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Satan, embodying both power and deception, shifts appearances as required. His transformation into a snake is a pivotal moment, yet Milton chooses not to depict this explicitly, leaving much to the reader's imagination:

For how shall I relate to human sense / Invisible exploits of warring Spirits, / Of ruin of so many glorious ones / And perfect while they stood? How last unfold / The secrets of another world? Perhaps / Not lawful to reveal

Raphael's caution reflects the insight that certain spiritual truths are beyond the scope of human perception, emphasizing the need for analogical representation rather than literal depiction.

In conclusion, Milton's portrayal of Satan in "Paradise Lost" challenges the reader to embrace a fluid interpretation of celestial beings. The mutable forms and Spiritual essences of angels, coupled with the complex narrative of Satan's trials and transformations, offer a rich tapestry for exploration and speculation.

References

Paradise Lost by John Milton.

1 Milton, J. (1667). Paradise Lost. London: Cambridge University Press.