Satan as drawn by Gustave Dore in Milton's Paradise Lost
There are many interpretations of the meaning of the words of Milton in the epic poem he wrote. Some see it clearly as a work about the human condition, others viewed it as about political war, the English Revolution and Restoration.
Still others see Milton's work as a civil war where Satan raises 'impious war', leading a third of the angels in heaven in a war against God, "Heav'ns Awful Monarch".
Maybe, due to our current condition, a re-read of Milton's Paradise Lost would be deserved. Maybe Milton had the ability to look ahead and make a revelation about our furture.
"The mind is its own place, and in it self
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less then he
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less then he
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th' Almighty hath not built
Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n."
Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n."
~ Paradise Lost - Milton
Two good posts, Annie. This and the one below. There is an abundance of man-made horror in this and every period of human history. As you point out, it's ironic that human activities seem guaranteed to turn our Earthly paradise into a devastated landscape. We are a suicidal, short-sighted race. I look at it this way: perhaps something better will come along once we're gone.
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