To be a servant in Heaven or a ruler
in Hell? That is the question. In Milton's
Paradise Lost and Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, Satan and Don Jon share
many perverted, and inverted ideas about submitting to higher-power. These two
characters practically mirror each other in their attempts to overthrow higher power, their
wills to suffer and rule, and their plots to convert good to evil.
Paradise Lost and Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, Satan and Don Jon share
many perverted, and inverted ideas about submitting to higher-power. These two
characters practically mirror each other in their attempts to overthrow higher power, their
wills to suffer and rule, and their plots to convert good to evil.
The first similarity seen between
Satan and Don Jon is an attempt to wage war
against God and Don Pedro. In both cases(,) the superior force wins without much effort at all. However, we do see that mercy is shown for Satan and Don Jon in that they were allowed to live rather than be destroyed entirely. The "ambitious aim/ Against the Throne... Of God/ Rais'd Impious War in Heav'n and Battel Proud/ With vain attempt" (41-44). Milton explains that Satan should never have tried because there is no situation in which he will come out the victor. This is a mirror image of Don Jon's attempted war.
against God and Don Pedro. In both cases(,) the superior force wins without much effort at all. However, we do see that mercy is shown for Satan and Don Jon in that they were allowed to live rather than be destroyed entirely. The "ambitious aim/ Against the Throne... Of God/ Rais'd Impious War in Heav'n and Battel Proud/ With vain attempt" (41-44). Milton explains that Satan should never have tried because there is no situation in which he will come out the victor. This is a mirror image of Don Jon's attempted war.
Don Jon also reflects Satan in his
desire to rule although he does not rightfully
deserve to do so. In both stories(,) there is a perverted idea of hierarchy. The villians, Don Jon and Satan, feel that it would be better to rule in a hell than serve in a heaven; better to suffer eternally than have eternal bliss. Evidence for this is provided when Don Jon says, "I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace" (Act 1, Sc. 3, Ln. 353); and when Satan says, "Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n" (264). The villians appear to be acting like stubborn children that would rather go to bed hungry to try to prove a point to their parents.
deserve to do so. In both stories(,) there is a perverted idea of hierarchy. The villians, Don Jon and Satan, feel that it would be better to rule in a hell than serve in a heaven; better to suffer eternally than have eternal bliss. Evidence for this is provided when Don Jon says, "I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace" (Act 1, Sc. 3, Ln. 353); and when Satan says, "Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav'n" (264). The villians appear to be acting like stubborn children that would rather go to bed hungry to try to prove a point to their parents.
A third major similarity between Don
Jon and Satan is their plots convert good into
evil. Milton's Satan has a singular goal: "If then His Providence/ Out of our evil seeks to bring forthgood,/ Our labor must be to pervert that end,/ And out of good still to find evil means of evil" (162-165). Don Jon schemes to do the same thing with the marriage of Claudio and Hero: "Only to despite them, I will endeavor anything" (787). Both plots are carried out in vain and are much like the initial war(, when) the villians tried to wage.
evil. Milton's Satan has a singular goal: "If then His Providence/ Out of our evil seeks to bring forthgood,/ Our labor must be to pervert that end,/ And out of good still to find evil means of evil" (162-165). Don Jon schemes to do the same thing with the marriage of Claudio and Hero: "Only to despite them, I will endeavor anything" (787). Both plots are carried out in vain and are much like the initial war(, when) the villians tried to wage.
The very actions of the two villians
are a Hell in themselves. Don Jon and Satan want to make evil from good, but
God continually makes good from evil; therefore, Don Jon and Satan will
eternally work in vain. If Hell is eternal suffering, then Don Jon and Satan's
eternal failing is what places them in Hell.
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