These lines are taken from Book I of Paradise Lost. The Paradise Lost was written by John Milton, in 1667, who was one of the most English poet.

The extract represent the Satan’s monologue he did at other archangel fell down in Hell: Satan is able to arouse them from their resignation with an inspiring speech and then reflects on their new environment, trying to convince them that not everything is completely negative.

The extract starts with a rhetorical question: Satan is wandering if such grimy place would will be their new home. So, right from the first line the reader may realize the rhetorical use of language: to tell the truth Satan, the speaking voice, perfectly knows where he is. Such rhetorical question has the function to create the setting; the poet uses different lessical items that create an accumulative effect “Is this [..] ,this [..],.. this [..]”. Moreover, the insistent use of deictic” this” contribute to the anaphoric structure and makes the text sticks into the mind since it works like a refrain.

In addition, Satan compares “this region” to Heaven, creating a nostalgic tone and atmosphere. So the reader can understand Satan and the archangels are depressed at tragic circumstance.

Right from the start Satan is qualify as the “Lost archangel”. Such epithet recalls the name of the poem (Paradise Lost) , remembrances the down fall of Satan and archangel and conveys to the figure of Satan the idea of confusion and dismay

In the following lines Satan expresses his point of view about God.

Satan never addresses Him as God, rather has used titles that are usually used for worldly authorities, like: king, sovran, tyrant or monarch. Satan refers to God with such appellation to denounce the merit of God, because the very name ‘God’ is an ample warrant of ample power, which Satan denies recurrently in his speech, as he thinks God is someone “Whom reason hath equaled”, but merely “force hath made supreme / Above his equals”. So he thinks and believes that their merit, by reason, is equal to God.

Such thesis is confirmed in lines 251-254: “Hail, Infernal Word! And thou, profoundest Hell, Receive thy new possessor-one who brings a mind not to be changed by place or time”. So even if Satan is farewell to the joys and happy environs of Heaven, he is deeply happy for the down fall: now he can reign somewhere, “what matter where”.

Lucifer is emphasizing the fact that he believes his mind is immutable, immortal and that even a fall from Heaven will not change his essential attributes. He further asserts a mind over matter: so it has the power to transcend circumstances and lead to a happy life regardless of circumstances. Lucifer chooses to transcend circumstances of place and ascend to happiness. He later explains he does so because he is still motivated by ambition to reign, to rule as God rules: "To reign is worth ambition, though in Hell."

Interesting is to notice, he uses an inclusive subject pronoun (we: you and I) which reinforces the idea of the attitude he has towards the archangel (we must change). Besides being rhetorical, his argumentation has the function to convey the grimy atmosphere. As you can see, though the point of view of lexical selection, Milton prefers Latinate-rooted words: archangel, heaven, sovereign. The effect is emphatic and epic.

The analysis allows the reader to understand Satan is the main character of Paradise Lost. Satan is the first and greatest revolt against the hierarchy of God’s universe. God arranges all his creation according to rank, and Satan upset this order by trying to do battle with God himself, the supreme monarch of all. Satan accepts that he has been defeated, but his pride is still too great to ask God for repentance. He will continue to suffer inner turmoil over this decision.

So is easy to understand why the reader identify himself with Satan: he represents all humankind’s actions and reflections. Both Satan and Adam and Eve had the ambition to become equal to God. They challenged God and were defeated. The whole meaning of the divine drama is summoned up in the figure of Satan.