An Analysis of Satans Final Speech in Milton’s Paradise Lost

An Analysis of Satans Final Speech in Miltons Paradise woollySatans final speech to Eve, 11. 679-732, Book IX, in Miltons Paradise Lost, is a persuasive masterpiece carefully structured to appeal to her ambitious tendencies and to expand her already existing doubts (which Satan has implanted) as to the perfect nature of God. Satan begins by worshipping the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, as Eve will do after she has make her choice. Throughout the remainder of the speech, he attempts to present the tree as an alternative focus of her faith. Satan endeavours to weaken Eves admiration and fear of God, and to reinforce her faith in herself, or the potential of what she could be if she had the courage to eat of the fruit. Satans speech is primarily interrogative - - he poses provocative questions, and then provides what he represents as all of the thinkable answers. Of course, every solution he offers supports her tasting of the tree. By the close of the oration, whether or not we have any Biblical association, it is evident that Eve cannot possibly stretch forth the brilliance of Satans argument. Satans first words are addressed not to Eve but constitute an exultation of the tree. He speaks of the power it has provided, of the near ecstasy and knowledge that has welled up within him since (allegedly) tasting the fruit. Satans emphasis on the power that the tree contains is perhaps a shrewd recognition of Eves feelings of inferiority. He realizes that Eve agonizes over Adams predominant position, and possibly even resents the supremacy of God Himself. Satan indirectly presents the tree as a means of bridging this gap. Through one simple action, she can straightaway assert her independence, as well as acquire the wisdom and ... ...ever been exposed to evil, and cannot recognize it. She is an easy target. Satan introduces ideas that had never occurred to her before in the form of questions in order to latch Eves mind onto these concepts and to have her m ull them over. However, he does not give her much room for independent thought - Satan provides the answers to all of the questions he has posed. Eve is pressured to make a decision as soon as possible, and is not awarded the leisure to work out the fallacies in his argument. She does not have the tools to encounter Satans superior intellect. With Eves faith in God severely shaken and her hopes raised for the future, her decision to eat of the tree is a foregone conclusion. Works Cited Milton, John. Paradise Lost. The Norton Anthology of side Literature The Major Authors. Ed. M. H. Abrams. 6th ed. New York Norton, 1990. 770-71.