End of Paradise Lost : Book One

From around line 525 until the end of Paradise Lost : Book One, I found it very interesting the presence of remorse and pride in arms. The majority of this section in the book speaks of the pride of the cherubs, grouping them into something of an army against God and for themselves.

Satan is found to be remorseful of the fact that he brought these angels down to the depths of Hell with him. However, he is full of pride because they remained faithful to him as a leader. Lines 600-606 state "...But his face deep scars of thunder had [e]ntrenched, and care sat on his faded cheek...cruel his eye, but cast signs of remorse and [com]passion to behold the fellows of his crime..."

Satan is also depicted as such: "...he stood like a tow'r...". To me, this implies a very high position which is to be commended and revered. He is so respected, that after his speech which sends morale to his troops, it is delivered as the following: "He spake: and to confirm his words, out flew millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs of mighty Cherubim." (664-665)

And then the story continues to describe the temple in Hell as a place of riches and luxury, related to the beauties of Heaven as far down as the depths of Hell, created by "Vulcan" who had been cast from Heaven many years before. The temple held a grand hall, and there the elected seraphims of great would be seated/throned in power.

It is amazing to me how Milton builds Satan as an epic hero, caring for his troops, feeling remorse but pressing on, preaching morale and hope to the fallen angels whom he himself brought down to Hell... I found myself relating to and feeling for Satan as he felt "remorse" and "pride" for his troops/followers. Mind-boggling how a person in such a critical society could depict such a controversial character so positively...