Paradise Lost Project
Lord Acton once remarked that “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.” which is quite an apt observation and one befitting of the protagonist and his mission in Paradise Lost. Satan is one who finds his freedom in corruption — free from moral obligations and the ability to choose degradation. His very own gospel to spread to the world, an antithesis to The Good News of Christ. It is relevant to understand he chose his Kingdom in Hell not because he wanted to be a ruler, as he might believe, but because he wanted the freedom of his idea of Slavery. Slaving in the name of God, trying and failing to be perfect, driven mad perhaps by unattainable expectations.
Paradise Lost and it’s themes have been used in fine art, high art, and low art. The idea of finding freedom in what the rest of the world views as corruption is a theme that can be seen even recently in Lil Nas X’s music video for his hit single “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” where even the title assumes identity in rejecting mainstream views of who he is. The music video shows his beginning in the garden, his corruption, his rejection of salvation, and his proud ascent into hell where he takes the crown of the kingdom for himself — refusing to be held down.
Lil Nas X has deliberately referenced Milton’s work in this video, along with other greco-roman influences, christian and jewish mythology, and modern views all intertwined into one message to the massive audience he knew his commentary would bring in. While his ultimate goal of condemning the stifling of self love and exploration in the face of opposition is one that should be admired and examined it has mimics the protagonist of Paradise Lost even if we see Montero as the moral hero while we view satan as just the protagonist.
Milton has explored how freedom from the responsibility to worship and obey God’s word, even if for the greater good of humanity and having only allegiance to oneself and their own goals leads to the degradation of said self and corruption of those who interact with them. Satan while free is forever lost — those under his dominion chained and forever reminded of the mercy granted to them by God by the chains bound to their feet allowing them to roam but only in a finite space. Perhaps a visual representation of how Satan saw himself under God.
In Bo Burnham’s latest comedy special Inside it depicts the struggle of being trapped and isolated amidst the global pandemic, but with the freedom of time outside of the pressure given to oneself to create. Unable to venture out unless masked and even then — unable to enter businesses and participate in life. It emphasises the isolation of self and explores the degradation of self without a guide or others around to guide us. In christian mythology Satan may move freely in his prison — he has full rule over himself and the creatures in his care and he can influence others around him but he cannot take action to directly harm them. Paradise Lost explores this christian mythological aspect and Inside plays off what can happen when you are powerless to affect the world directly and must only focus on yourself and how you might change it indirectly. Influence versus action. Satan must find himself similarly depressed and upset by his role in the world while still celebrating his freedom from being bound to God alone.
