Example paragraph comparing the presentation of Satan and Flamineo: both revengers who possess a
sense of their own power and importance, yet who are ultimately self-entrapped, self-destructive and
delusional
Milton presents Satan as a dangerously compulsive character, driven by an overpowering desire for
revenge. However, Satan lucidly understands the inevitable self-destruction that his vengeance will bring,
and as such could be considered as enticingly daring: “Revenge, at first though sweet, / Bitter ere long back
on itself recoils; / Let it; I reck not…” Milton’s use of the self-reflexive phrase “back on itself recoils”
emphasises the destruction that Satan will bring on himself. Such foolhardy self-sacrifice could be perceived
as alluring. This is an especially convincing interpretation considering Satan’s resolve, emphasised by
Milton’s use of spondee “Let it” at the start of the line, followed by the three consecutive stressed
monosyllables “I reck not”. This chilling determination and economy of words not only shows Satan’s
defiance, but could also hint at the courage of an epic hero. Certainly, this supports the Romantic
perception of Satan. As Shelley writes in A Defence of Poetry, “Nothing can exceed his energy and
magnificence.” However, the reflexive phrase could also suggest the way that Satan is ingloriously selfentrapped: he brings his own misery on himself, limiting any real power and making him far from
“magnificent”. Instead, he makes himself absolutely isolated and lonely as he “recoils” into himself and his
own misery. Furthermore, the verb “recoil” suggests an alternative meaning: the sense of revulsion and
disgust which we might feel for Satan, or indeed that Satan may feel for himself. Whilst Satan may seem
powerfully driven and free to act, this is just the confusions of a deluded character as the use of selfreflexive verbs hints at a lack of any real agency or power. Milton believes that freedom comes precisely
from recognising one’s place in the grand scheme. By disobeying God, Satan has relinquished his freedom.
Instead, he is ultimately self-destructive. Milton puns on the word “coil” within the word “recoil”. This
alludes to the degrading way that Satan becomes a “mazy” snake, trapped by his own desire for revenge.
Additionally Satan’s delusions and confusions are represented through Milton’s frequent contrasts, such as
the oxymoron “sweet / bitter” in the above quotation. The vicious stress on the plosive ‘b’ in “bitter” in the
inverted first foot emphasises Satan’s anger at his reduced state.
Interestingly, Webster similarly creates Flamineo as delusional and self-entrapped in Act V, scene XI of The
White Devil. As he dies, Flamineo says, “No, at myself I will begin and end”. Webster emphasises the
isolated internality of Flamineo. It draws attention to his own sense of self-interest and reflects his lack of
any sense of the external morality of his actions. Milton reflects Britain’s early 17th century view of Italy as
a country of immorality and deception: it was perceived to be a society driven by self-interest. Indeed,
Flamineo is presented as egotistical, with the inverted first foot, dramatically drawing attention to his
tautological declaration of his identity, as well as the repetition of the first person pronoun “myself I”.
Furthermore, Flamineo's final dying words are deluded in their self-importance: “Strike, thunder, strike
loud to my farewell.” The grand, elemental imagery implies his sense of grandeur, especially in the use of
spondee in the imperative “strike loud”. However, Webster suggests that, like Satan, Flamineo is clearly
deluded, as early in the same scene he laments “O I am a mist”, contrasting greatly with the majestic
imagery of his final words, showing a confused mind. Both Satan and Flamineo self-aggrandise, yet
ultimately appear muddled and delusional.
How does this paragraph use:
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Close analysis of metre
Close analysis of language/imagery
Use of different interpretations
Use of critics
Use of context
Convincing interpretations and argument statements