Paradise Lost · Chapter
Book II: The Council of Hell and Satan's Journey explained
In the council of Pandemonium, Satan and the fallen angels debate whether to wage open war against Heaven or employ guile.
What happens
In the council of Pandemonium, Satan and the fallen angels debate whether to wage open war against Heaven or employ guile. Moloch advocates for open war, Belial counsels peace and endurance, and Mammon suggests making the best of Hell. Beelzebub proposes a plan to seek out a new world (Earth) and seduce its inhabitants, a scheme originally devised by Satan. Satan volunteers for the perilous journey alone, earning acclaim. The council adjourns, and the fallen angels engage in various activities. Satan travels to Hell's gates, guarded by Sin and Death. Sin, his daughter, opens the gates, revealing the chaotic Abyss. Satan crosses the realm of Chaos, who directs him toward the new world.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Ambition
Satan's pride drives him to volunteer for the quest, seeking glory and revenge, while Moloch's ambition fuels his call for open war.
Obedience and Disobedience
Sin's choice to obey Satan over God's command highlights the theme of disobedience and its consequences.
Tyranny and Liberty
The fallen angels debate their freedom versus God's tyranny, with Satan presenting himself as a liberator while establishing his own rule.
Hierarchy and Order
The infernal council mimics heavenly hierarchy, with Satan as monarch and the fallen angels debating their roles, while Chaos represents disorder.
Characters to notice
- Satan
Presides over the infernal council, volunteers for the quest to the new world, and journeys to Hell's gates.
- Beelzebub
Presents the plan to seduce the inhabitants of the new world, originally devised by Satan.
- Moloch
Advocates for open war against Heaven, arguing for immediate action.
- Belial
Advises against war, suggesting patient endurance and avoiding further provocation.
- Mammon
Proposes making Hell more comfortable rather than attempting to regain Heaven.
- Sin
Guards Hell's gates with Death; opens them for Satan after acknowledging him as her father.
- Death
Stands ready with his dart at Hell's gates; grins horribly at the promise of prey.
- Chaos
Rules the Abyss; directs Satan toward the new world after Satan offers to restore order.
Key passages
“High on a throne of royal state, which far Outshone the wealth of Ormus and of Ind, Or where the gorgeous East with richest hand Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold, Satan exalted sat, by merit raised To that bad eminence”
Satan sits on a magnificent throne, more splendid than the treasures of the Orient, elevated to his infamous position by his own abilities.
Establishes Satan's regal yet corrupted status in Hell.
“My sentence is for open war: of wiles, More unexpert, I boast not”
I vote for open war; I am not skilled in deceit and do not claim to be.
Moloch's straightforward and aggressive stance.
“Thus saying, from her side the fatal key, Sad instrument of all our woe, she took; And, towards the gate rolling her bestial train, Forthwith the huge portcullis high up-drew”
Sin took the key that would cause so much sorrow and, followed by her monstrous offspring, lifted the great gate.
Sin opens Hell's gates, enabling Satan's journey and humanity's fall.
“Into this wild Abyss, The womb of Nature, and perhaps her grave, Of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire, But all these in their pregnant causes mixed Confusedly”
Into this chaotic void, which is both the origin and possible end of Nature, containing the seeds of all elements in confusion.
Describes the primordial chaos Satan must cross.
