It is clear that Satan is presented as a charismatic
leader who is able to rule his minions and convincingly persuade them through his speech
of their chances of gaining victory through alternative means. At the beginning of this
epic, it is clear that Satan and his troops are somewhat bemused and shocked by the
transformation that has occurred. They have gone from being "Clothes with transcendent
brightness" to languishing in hell. However, in spite of the sudden shift of
circumstances, he believes he has not lost
everything:
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 is thus
presented as being implacably opposed to God in his determination never to yield or
submit to God and to maintain his hatred. He is able to encourage Beelzebub and to turn
what is a terrible situation into a kind of victory. Note how he famously addresses his
legions in hell, encouraging them to see the positives in their new
situation:
Here we may reign secure, and in my
choice
To reign is worth ambition though in
Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in
Heav'n.
Thus it is that Satan
is presented as a cunning leader who is able to inspire confidence in his troops in the
most desperate of situations, even after suffering a grim defeat. He shows that he is
confident and charismatic in how his speech inspires his legions with new hope. The
twisted logic that he applies to his situation is admirable, as is the way that he shows
that in defeat his spirit is still not broken.
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