Debate for Days

The devils’ debate in book 2 is kind of weird.  It starts off with Satan opening a can of worms (not out of character… one would think that they would learn from the last time he had a grand idea) and saying that he believes that they still might have a chance to invade Heaven and take over.  Which is kind of ridiculous considering where he is standing and saying this.  This is another moment where Satan shows his true colors of being an all-powering manipulator for evil. 

So, when Satan says this of course Moloch jumps right up and says that he is totally down to take over and fight and win.  He thinks with the weapons of Hell they could over throw God.  Although, his main point is that they have nothing left to lose, but they do which Belial quickly points out.  He says that this is a horrendous idea and that they do in fact have lots to lose; they could be put back in the fiery lake.  He also states that he believes that if they are good God might forgive them and let them live a better life.   I believe that this is the best decision.  Why push it? I know the saying, “It is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission,” but in their case they already are asking for forgiveness.  They are already in the Hellion doghouse; they need forgiveness because they are fresh out of permission. 

But, this wouldn’t be in our English class if the devils decided to sit around and behave and pray for forgiveness.  So, here comes Mammon saying he will never ever, ever be getting back together with God. He enlists the idea of making a Heaven part two in Hell.  Everyone thinks this is splendid, but Beelzebub wants more.  He wants to find and destroy the new world filled with the new race: humans.  Of course, up hops Satan and offers to go look for this new race.  Classic Satan.

All these positions in the debate are important.  They help form a character study of each devil and in turn the devils as a whole working unit.  When Moloch jumps up to fight another identical war to what they just lost it embodies the idea that he is so angry and prideful that he is willing to do anything to get what he wants.  Then when Belial decides to try to do what God says it adds an idea that maybe the devils are salvageable, but then further reading leads one to believe that he doesn’t want peace, but he is just lazy.  By having this debate Milton is able to help the reader form an opinion of the devils and show their true colors.  He adds insight to there inner workings.