"The mind is its own place, and in itself
255 Can make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n.
What matter where, if I be still the same,
And what I should be, all but less than hee
Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
We shall be free; th'Almighty hath not built
260 Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice
To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heav'n.
But wherefore let we then our faithful friends,
265 Th'associates and co-partners of our loss
Lie thus astonisht on th'oblivious Pool,
And call them not to share with us their part
In this unhappy Mansion, or once more
With rallied Arms to try what may be yet
270 Regain'd in Heav'n, or what more lost in Hell?"
Satan's pompous, stubborn nature towards destroying mankind is introduced as early as Book I. Satan, just banished from the heavenly gates displays his unconquerable will. Although he has just fallen from heaven, he is standing up again and turning away from God. He is telling his arc angels that this isn't so bad, because his pride does not enable himself to accept the defeat he experienced. However, Satan and the arc angels will soon learn that despite his verbal attempts, there is no Heaven in Hell. Rather than begging for forgiveness, and thus being reinstated to heaven, he displays his true apostate character by choosing sin and pandemonium, the city of devils, over the almighty creator. Now with no turning back, Satan must reign as, yes, the king of the arc angels forever, and challenge the unconquerable God and his vulnerable people. It is Satan's compelling, savvy style that enables the persuasion of man and humankind's first act of disobedience toward God and thus the consequences that followed.
Prior to this passage, Satan and the arc angels ...