Although God made everything in the universe, Satan is haughty and debased to the point of placing himself at the same level as God and denouncing His supremacy, a demonstration of his hubris.  He is basically claiming that the only thing that made God stronger was the thunderbolts that ultimately lead to the defeat of his army.  The arrogance of this proclamation further shows how the sin of pride clouds his judgment.  Similarly, the Anglican preachers set themselves on a pedestal close to God, for they believe they can absolve the sins of its followers.  The Puritans, as they believed in the salvation only of Godís elect, viewed this idea of absolution of a soul by a man as not only as an impossible feat, but also as arrogance.  Milton utilizes hubris also because it is an epic convention.  In most epic poems, a characterís downfall is directly related to this excess of pride, and Satan is no exception.  Perhaps Milton is also prophesizing the collapse of the Church of England because of its corruptness due to its greed and pride.

Meghan Haughey   

Megsabelle@hotmail.com