Before Satan decides to give up what he has and to rebel against God, he was one of the wisest and most beautiful of all the angels in heaven (McColley, 24). Because Satan was seen as the most powerful angel in heaven, this helps him greatly in his rebellion because the other angels look up to him because he was the greatest. .
When Satan does rebel, we are forced to recognize another skill in which he possesses. This is his inevitable ability to give speeches. With this ability, Satan is able to persuade others to follow him in his rebellion. When Satan says, "to govern, not to serve" (Anderson, 135) he emphasizes liberty and encourages the other angels in heaven to all join him and his rebellion (McColley, 22). Milton devotes a lot of time to the rebellion scene showing the reader how significant and important Satan is in his eyes. Satan gives many speeches throughout the epic that proves that he is persuasive character. Satan was able to persuade "one-third of all the angels in heaven" (McColley, 19) to join with him in his rebellion. Satan gave speeches to his followers that would raise their attention, and make them feel more confident in him. .
To suffer, as to do, .
Our strength is equal; nor the law unjust .
That so ordains. This was at first resolved, .
If we were wise, against so great a foe .
Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. .
In this part of Satan's speech, Milton shows how skilled Satan is in his choice of words. After gaining followers, Satan is ready for battle against God.
At the start of this epic, Satan can be described as a hero. However, Milton changes the view of Satan drastically as the epic continues. Satan is an egoistic coward that let his pride bring him down in the beginning of the epic. Although Satan is a great warrior and can give wonderful speeches, he seems to be hypocritical of what he tells his followers he believes and what he really does. An example of this is when we are first introduced to Satan.
