Question: What is the impact of the first speech of Satan to the fallen angels?
Answer: Satan, the most powerful and dominant personality in Book-I of Paradise Lost, appears as the sum-total of stubborn pride and sensual indulgences, finding in self the sole motive of action. It is a character which is often found on the political platform. It exhibits all the restlessness, rashness and cunning, possessed by almost all the mighty conquerors of the world from Nimrod to Napoleon. Milton has in a grand manner infused in Satan the element of intense selfishness and pride, the alcohol of egotism.
Satan, because of his high ambition and pride, raised an impious war in Heaven against the monarchy of God. As a result, he along with his followers was hurled headlong from the ethereal sky to bottomless perdition. He was condemned to dwell there in 'adamantine chains' and 'penal fire'. For nine days and nights, he along with his horrible crew lay there confounded. Though Satan and his followers were heavenly beings, they were overwhelmed and stupefied as a result of God's anger. When Satan regained his consciousness, he realised that the loss of Heaven was not the only punishment which God had inflicted upon him. There was much more punishment which lay in store for him. He had now to live eternally in Hell. Thus his physical defeat and suffering were mixed with his psychic pain. Hence when he threw his sorrowful eyes on his new home (Hell) his face reflected "huge affliction and dismay". His miseries had hardened his sense of pride and his stubborn hatred of God had also become more apparent in his look. Satan soon observed that his fellow angels who had been overcome by the fiery floods and stormy winds lay unconscious. He also saw that near him there was one next only to him in power and sin, one who was later known as Beelzebub. Breaking the horrible silence of Hell, Satan addressed his comrade in bold words.
Satan spoke to Beelzebub in words that emphasised the terms of equality between the two leaders of the fallen angels. Satan paid tribute to Beelzebub by admitting that he (Beelzebub) was once associated with him in the deeds of adventures and glory. Beelzebub continued to be his comrade in times of misery also. After expressing such intimacy with Beelzebub, Satan proceeded to ask him with shock and surprise as to how he had fallen in the bottomless depth of hell. Satan, however, admitted that the power of his adversary (Gcd) showed unmistakably how much stronger He, with his thunder, proved to be than the fallen angels, for till then no one knew the power of His terrible weapons.
Satan told Beelzebub that physical defeat in the war was an insignificant thing. Although he and his crew had lost their battle against God their will remained unconquered. They were still capable of pursuing their revenge and immortal hate. They possessed the courage which could save them from surrendering themselves before God. He utters defiantly:
"... What though the field be lost?
All is not lost; the unconquerable
will And study of revenge, immortal hate
And courage never to submit or yield.”
Satan, further made a bold declaration. Their victor (God) was powerful but he would not be able to force them to submit themselves like slaves before Him. With all heroism, Satan confirmed the glory of defeating the enemy completely-head, heart, hand- would never belong to God as far as Satan and his followers were concerned. Thus Satan tried to prove that his defeat was a kind of victory because his mind remained his own. God could not conquer his mind. So long as Satan remains what he is, he will carry on endless war with God who cannot rob him of his glory.
The first speech of Satan reveals his character his pride, his unconquerable spirit, his implacable hatred of God, hist endurance of suffering and his longing for revenge. Satan admitted the superior power of God and his defeat by Him but his spirit was irrepressible. It did not matter to Satan at all if he had lost a battle at the hands of God, so long as he retained his hatred and courage. Thus Satan's first speech expresses his héroism and strong leadership. Though he was smarting with pain and though he was tortured by deep despair, he boasted to his bold comrade (Beelzebub) who at once responded to his rousing call.
In the first speech of Satan, we may also trace the autobiographical elements of Milton's political career. Thinking of the Puritan's defeat at the hands of the Royalists at the Restoration, Milton like Satan, might have felt that all was not lost. He might have felt that the Puritans were not still subdued and thus tried to console himself. However, it would be improper to draw the parallel too far. Satan's fearless courage and unconquerable spirit even in the face of irretrievable defeat and disaster are moral qualities deserving universal praise. But they are directed to the pursuit of revenge and endless hatred of the Divine Power, they can never be regarded as noble. Satan is the Prince of Hell, the hero among the fallen angels, but he can not be accepted as the hero of Paradise Lost as a whole. His speech marks his high flown oratory and it is grandly expressed but it is full of empty boast.
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