Justice is Sweet
Jul 22nd, 2008 by madelinekelly
I would like to comment real quick on the sweet justice of Satan’s punishment. First of all, he is denied any kind of dramatic showdown with God or the Son. No more epic battles or glorious defeat. Nor does he get to play the martyr he so loves to be. He steals away, and God takes care of things without having to actually face him. Furthermore, Satan is denied the satisfaction of slinking back to his minions and misrepresenting events—because as far as he knows, the trip to Eden has been an unmitigated success. Satan sneaks back into Hell triumphant and joyful. God gives him just enough time to really get going and then—wham—cuts him down. Satan thinks he’s outsmarted God; he thinks the snake has taken the punishment. So to be turned into a snake, a groveling slithering belly crawling snake… what a humiliation. Everything about this punishment is perfect. Even its annual recurrence—just enough to remind the devils who’s really in charge—is brilliant. Kudos, Milton, for making God’s justice so awesome.
(Also, I think it’s sweet that Adam and Eve submit to their punishment and in doing so, contribute to the crushing of the snake’s head and whatnot. They are both serving God and haranguing Satan. At least in theory. Nifty.)
(Also also, I love God’s description of his ‘hell-hounds.’ It might not sit well with my impression of what a good deity should be like, but all the same, I love it.)