Satan's Journey through Chaos

Paradise Lost

This flow traces Satan's hazardous passage from Hell through Chaos to the newly made world and his first contact with Uriel.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Gates Opened The Gates Opened from "Paradise Lost". The Gates Opened Sin's key Sin unlocks the Gates of Hell with the Key of Hell, allowing Satan to pass into the unbounded deep.

The Gates Opened from "Paradise Lost". The Gates Opened Sin's key Sin unlocks the Gates of Hell with the Key of Hell, allowing Satan to pass into the unbounded deep.

The Gates Opened Sin's key Sin unlocks the Gates of Hell with the Key of Hell, allowing Satan to pass into the unbounded deep. The opening also releases a passage for future traffic between Hell and the human world. A breach in order The gate is more than a door; it is the first infrastructure of spiritual invasion. Sin and Death will later turn Satan's path into a permanent bridge.

The Abyssal Voyage The Abyssal Voyage from "Paradise Lost". The Abyssal Voyage Navigation without ground Satan falls, rises, sinks, and struggles across a region where elements battle without stable land or direction.

The Abyssal Voyage from "Paradise Lost". The Abyssal Voyage Navigation without ground Satan falls, rises, sinks, and struggles across a region where elements battle without stable land or direction.

The Abyssal Voyage Navigation without ground Satan falls, rises, sinks, and struggles across a region where elements battle without stable land or direction. His apparent invulnerability is tested by a world that resists form itself. Will against disorder The voyage dramatizes the relation between inner and outer chaos. Satan's persistence is real, but it serves destruction rather than creation.

Chaos as Passage Chaos as Passage from "Paradise Lost". Chaos as Passage The border negotiated Satan reaches the throne of Chaos and asks for a route toward Heaven's new creation.

Chaos as Passage from "Paradise Lost". Chaos as Passage The border negotiated Satan reaches the throne of Chaos and asks for a route toward Heaven's new creation.

Chaos as Passage The border negotiated Satan reaches the throne of Chaos and asks for a route toward Heaven's new creation. Chaos grants passage because Satan's revenge promises to restore darkness and enlarge its dominion. Evil alliances The exchange shows that rebellion does not stand alone. Satan's project depends upon unstable powers that hope to profit from the damage he causes.

The New World Seen The New World Seen from "Paradise Lost". The New World Seen A small bright globe Satan sees Heaven, the newly formed world, and the narrow connection between them.

The New World Seen from "Paradise Lost". The New World Seen A small bright globe Satan sees Heaven, the newly formed world, and the narrow connection between them.

The New World Seen A small bright globe Satan sees Heaven, the newly formed world, and the narrow connection between them. The world appears small beside the celestial realm but significant because it is God's new habitation. Envy redirected The sight transforms abstract resentment into a specific desire to corrupt. Satan now has a target whose beauty intensifies his hatred.

Uriel Deceived Uriel Deceived from "Paradise Lost". Uriel Deceived A false pilgrim Satan assumes the shape of a young Cherub and tells Uriel that he seeks knowledge of God's works.

Uriel Deceived from "Paradise Lost". Uriel Deceived A false pilgrim Satan assumes the shape of a young Cherub and tells Uriel that he seeks knowledge of God's works.

Uriel Deceived A false pilgrim Satan assumes the shape of a young Cherub and tells Uriel that he seeks knowledge of God's works. The disguise succeeds because hypocrisy imitates the language of devotion. Directions to Eden Uriel identifies the location of Paradise and sends Satan toward it. The guardian's intelligence becomes an unintended aid to the enemy, showing how goodness can be exploited without becoming evil.

at the beginning of Satan's departure from Hell

during Satan's passage through Chaos

near the midpoint of the journey through Chaos

after Satan exits Chaos near the end of Book II

during Satan's first approach to Heaven's sun