Milton's Paradise Lost Book II Response Questions

1. Beelzebub's speech in Book II completely tore apart the suggestions and speeches presented prior to his. Beelzebub's speech presented Satan's plan, which is the only plan that would allow to happen to begin with. Beelzebub humbly presents an argument that calls for a hero to arise to travel through space and chaos to corrupt the world of man. He credits all the heroism and prowess to "this hero" who would take on such a difficult task. Satan of course rises as this "hero" for the salvation of the demons, which was the plan all along.

2. Satan begins by outline the incredible level of skill and courage that is required to do as he is about to do. He speaks of the horrors of what lie outside of chaos, and the unknown he must learn to venture through. He also speaks of challenging the will and power of God, crediting himself as the only one who could attempt such a feat. 

3. Sin tells Satan the story of how they are all related to each other. She says that she came out of the head of Satan, representing that sin is a product of Lucifer's disobedience. Satan then raped Sin, who birthed the ghost figure of Death. This represents the idea that sin and sinful actions can only bring death. Death then raped Sin and she birthed the dogs that viciously attack demons who try to escape Hell. 

4. Milton arranges a complex geography of the metaphysical universe. There are two adjacent realms propelled in suspension within infinite chaos. One side is heaven (which is as infinite as chaos) and a finite hell. Milton divides, much like Dante does, Hell into nine layers. At the brink of these layers and on the edge of chaos lies the gates of Hell, which we follow Satan to at the end of Book II.

5. The entire set up and plan of Satan in his continuing rebellion against God works completely in retrospective anticipation. The reader is captivated with anticipation in wonder of the effectiveness of Satan's plan, even though we are well aware that Satan's plan is subject to God's will. In fact, by Satan working to corrupt man, he plays into God's plan to test man's love for Him.